Explore a Wild Wonderland
Wander outside of Tokyo to a wilder part of the country, where locals have long lived in harmony with nature. The unspoiled landscapes of Gunma and Niigata are home to an incredible variety of exciting outdoor activities, living art that changes with the seasons, and local delicacies that are sure to please.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass
For this itinerary we recommend visitors utilize the JR TOKYO Wide Pass. This 3-day discount pass allows for unlimited rides on shinkansen, limited express, and other trains in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto areas. It allows for access as far north as Niigata, which makes it the perfect way to explore the two prefectures featured.
Tokyo Station
JR Joetsu Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Tokyo Station – Echigo Yuzawa Station
Express Bus【Additional fare required】
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Kiyotsukyoiriguchi
Walk
Kiyotsukyoiriguchi – Kiyotsu Gorge
Echigo-Tsumari Art Field & Kiyotsu Gorge
A perfect blend of art, culture, and nature only two hours from Tokyo, exploring Niigata’s rich tapestry of outdoor exhibitions makes the ultimate itinerary for the adventurous art lover. (Photo: Ma Yansong /MAD Architects, 「Tunnel of Light」 (Echigo-Tsumari Art Field）Photo by YAMADA Tsutomu)
Walk
Kiyotsu Gorge – Kiyotsukyoiriguchi
Express Bus【Additional fare required】
Kiyotsukyoiriguchi – Echigo Yuzawa Station
Ponshukan Echigo Yuzawa
The pure snow of Niigata is well known for helping to create some of the best sake in Japan. And now you can sample over 100 kinds of sake from the region from the convenience of three major train stations.
JR Joetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Matsudai Station
Walk
Matsudai Station – Matsudai Noh Butai
Echigo-Tsumari Art Field & Kiyotsu Gorge
A perfect blend of art, culture, and nature only two hours from Tokyo, exploring Niigata’s rich tapestry of outdoor exhibitions makes the ultimate itinerary for the adventurous art lover. (Photo: Ma Yansong /MAD Architects, 「Tunnel of Light」 (Echigo-Tsumari Art Field）Photo by YAMADA Tsutomu)
Walk
Matsudai Noh Butai – Matsudai Station
JR Joetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Matsudai Station – Echigo Yuzawa Station
Walk
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Hotel
Niigata Snow and Ski Resorts
Niigata Snow and Ski Resorts
Walk
Hotel – Echigo Yuzawa Station
JR Joetsu Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Echigo Yuzawa Station – Jomo-Kogen Station
Shuttle Bus【No additional fare】
Jomo-Kogen Station – Canyons ltd.
Minakami Canyon Water Activities
Several exhilarating ways to reconnect with nature and shake off the months of sitting at home can be found at Minakami, one of Japan’s premiere spots for white water rafting and canyoning.
Shuttle Bus【No additional fare】
Canyons ltd. – Minakami Station
JR Joetsu Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Minakami Station – Numata Station
Bus【Additional fare required】
Numata Station – Shimogumi
Walk
Shimogumi – Kajitsu no Sato Harada Farm
Fruit Picking in Gunma
Gunma, home to some of the juiciest fruits and vibrant vegetables in Japan, is waiting for travelers to taste the bounty of the region. And we know just the spot to enjoy the seasonality of the prefecture directly from the source.
Walk
Kajitsu no Sato Harada Farm – Shimogumi
Bus【Additional fare required】
Shimogumi – Numata Station
JR Joetsu Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Numata Station – Takasaki Station
Bus【Additional fare required】
Takasaki Station – Shorinzaniriguchi
Walk
Shorinzaniriguchi – Daimonya Co.
Takasaki Daruma
Daruma, hollow and rounded dolls generally made from paper, are one of Japan’s most enduring lucky icons. In Takasaki, visitors can try their hand at the craft in a workshop led by artisans recognized by Gunma Prefecture’s most famous daruma craftsman.
Walk
Daimonya Co. – Gumma-Yawata Station
JR Shin-Etsu Line Local【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Gumma-Yawata Station – Takasaki Station
Joshin Dentetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Takasaki Station – Joshu-Tomioka Station
Walk
Joshu-Tomioka Station – Tomioka Silk Mill
Tomioka Silk Mill
Japan’s first silk model factory is now a place where visitors can come learn about the history and development of the nation’s raw silk industry less than two hours from Tokyo. (Photo provided by Gunma Prefecture.)
Walk
Tomioka Silk Mill – Joshu-Tomioka Station
Joshin Dentetsu Line Local【Additional fare required】
Joshu-Tomioka Station – Takasaki Station
JR Hokuriku Shinkansen【JR TOKYO Wide Pass】
Takasaki Station – Tokyo Station
