Two days in Gunma: the silk mill or onsen?
Stay one night in Takasaki for Byakue Dai-Kannon and Tomioka Silk Mill. On day two, visit the mill by Joshin Railway and return to Takasaki to connect with JR towards Tokyo. For an onsen trip, enjoy a Kusatsu yumomi performance and morning open-air bath, then return by direct Shinjuku bus. The winter bath opens at 9 am; move the visit to the previous day if morning bathing does not fit your departure.
Choose an itinerary for 2 days / 1 night
Visit Kannonyama, then Tomioka Silk Mill
Stay one night in Takasaki to see the large Kannon statue and former silk-reeling factory. Visit Byakue Dai-Kannon on day one and Tomioka Silk Mill on day two, then return to Takasaki for your Tokyo-bound train.
Visit Kannonyama, then Tomioka Silk Mill →2 days / 1 night BA Kusatsu performance followed by a morning open-air bath
See a yumomi performance in Kusatsu on day one and enjoy an open-air bath the next morning. This short onsen break focuses on the performance and one bathing facility.
A Kusatsu performance followed by a morning open-air bath →Visit Kannonyama, then Tomioka Silk Mill
Stay one night in Takasaki to see the large Kannon statue and former silk-reeling factory. Visit Byakue Dai-Kannon on day one and Tomioka Silk Mill on day two, then return to Takasaki for your Tokyo-bound train.
Day 1: visit Byakue Dai-Kannon on Kannonyama
Arrive in Takasaki and visit the Kannon statue and surrounding grounds.
- Tokyo Station and Takasaki Station → Byakui Kannon-mae
Take an ordinary JR Takasaki Line service from Tokyo Station to Takasaki. From west-exit bus stop 8, take Gururin Kannonyama route 14 via Kataoka and get off at Byakui Kannon-mae. Use official searches to choose a direct train and buses for both directions on your travel date.
JR East station and line timetables for your visit dateCurrent outbound Kannonyama route 14 timetable
- Byakui Kannon-mae → Byakue Dai-Kannon
From the stop, follow the path beside the Daishido Hall uphill towards the statue. Choose a walk around the grounds if climbing the stairs inside the statue is difficult. Interior visits are available 9 am–5 pm from March to October and 9 am–4.30 pm from November to February.
Kannonyama walking mapByakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours
- Byakue Dai-Kannon → Takasaki Station
Retrace your route downhill and take Gururin route 13 from Byakui Kannon-mae to Takasaki Station's west exit. The outbound service is route 14 and the return is route 13. Finish the day with dinner near the station.
Current return Kannonyama route 13 timetableCurrent outbound Kannonyama route 14 timetable
Day 2: visit Tomioka Silk Mill and return to Tokyo
Explore the historic silk-reeling facilities, then return to Takasaki on Joshin Railway.
- Takasaki Station → Tomioka Silk Mill
Follow Joshin Railway signs from the JR west exit to its platform. Take a local train towards Shimonita to Joshu-Tomioka, then walk about 15 minutes to the mill.
Joshin Railway weekday outbound timetable from TakasakiWeekday inbound timetable from Joshu-TomiokaGetting to the silk millOfficial visitor guideIndividual reservation information
- Silk mill entrance → Visit the silk-reeling facilities
Explore the long brick warehouses and silk-reeling building to see the former factory where silk was drawn from cocoons. The mill opens from 9 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4.30 pm; individual visitors do not need a reservation. Check the separate on-site guide arrangements if you want more explanation.
Getting to the silk millOfficial visitor guideIndividual reservation informationTomioka Silk Mill warehouse and silk-reeling building highlights
- Silk mill and Joshu-Tomioka Station → Takasaki Station and Tokyo Station
After lunch, return to Joshu-Tomioka Station and take a local Joshin Railway train to Takasaki. Continue on an ordinary JR train towards Tokyo. Check weekday versus weekend and public holiday services in the official inbound timetable, and whether your JR service runs directly to Tokyo.
Joshin Railway weekday outbound timetable from TakasakiWeekday inbound timetable from Joshu-TomiokaJR East station and line timetables for your visit dateJR 2026 revised fare information
Costs included in the calculation: Ordinary JR return fare JPY 4,180 + return Kannonyama bus fares JPY 400 + statue interior JPY 300 + return Joshin Railway fare JPY 1,620 + silk mill JPY 1,000.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to the departure station, luggage storage and extra visits or activities cost extra. Shinkansen, limited express and Green Car travel are excluded.
Prices were checked on 8 October 2026. Tokyo–Takasaki and Joshin Railway fares use ordinary tickets.
Gururin standard and JPY 100 section faresByakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hoursJR 2026 revised fare informationJoshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visitor guide
A Kusatsu performance followed by a morning open-air bath
See a yumomi performance in Kusatsu on day one and enjoy an open-air bath the next morning. This short onsen break focuses on the performance and one bathing facility.
Day 1: arrive in Kusatsu and see a yumomi performance
Start with Yubatake in the centre of the onsen town and a performance.
- Busta Shinjuku, Level 4 → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
Take your booked Joshu Yumeguri direct bus. Reserve both journeys for your dates and check the day's departure board for the boarding point. Allow for road delays and avoid planning a performance too soon after arrival.
Shinjuku Level 4 guideJR Bus operator's route hub and linked current timetableOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal → Yubatake and Netsunoyu
Walk from the terminal to Yubatake for a meal and a look around town. Choose a Netsunoyu performance from the official calendar for your date, then arrive for on-site ticket sales 30 minutes before it starts. Advance reservations are not accepted; if sold out, choose a later session or another day.
- Netsunoyu → Performance and Yubatake area
After the yumomi and dance performance, have dinner and relax around Yubatake. Watching the performance and trying yumomi yourself are separate activities, so choose accordingly.
Performance and ticket sales conditionsYubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ
Day 2: enjoy a morning open-air bath and return to Shinjuku
Relax in the spacious open-air bath before leaving town. Choose a morning visit that fits your accommodation's departure arrangements.
- Yubatake → Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
Walk through Sainokawara Street and the park to the bath, about 12 minutes from Yubatake. Allow for slopes and time at reception.
Open-air bath prices and hoursOpen-air bath walking directions, lockers and facilities FAQPark walking reference
- Open-air bath entrance → Bathe and relax
Sainokawara opens from 7 am to 8 pm from April to November, with last admission at 7.30 pm. There are no washing facilities, hairdryers or towel hire, so bring your own towel. If the winter opening time of 9 am does not fit your hotel departure, visit the previous day instead.
Open-air bath prices and hoursOpen-air bath walking directions, lockers and facilities FAQPark walking reference
- Sainokawara Open-Air Bath → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and Busta Shinjuku
Retrace your route into town, finish preparing to leave, then head to the terminal. Take your reserved Joshu Yumeguri bus to Shinjuku. Allow for road delays and avoid another booking immediately after arrival in Shinjuku.
JR Bus operator's route hub and linked current timetableOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarWalk from the terminal to Yubatake SouanYubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ
Costs included in the calculation: Return direct Shinjuku bus JPY 7,400 + yumomi performance JPY 700 + open-air bath JPY 800 + paid locker JPY 100. The bus price is an October 2026 category C ordinary-fare example; recalculate for your travel date.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to the departure station, luggage storage and extra visits or activities cost extra. Towels, private rooms and private baths are excluded; no three-bath ticket discount is applied.
Prices were checked on 8 October 2026. Baths use individual admission tickets.
October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarPerformance and ticket sales conditionsOpen-air bath prices and hoursOpen-air bath walking directions, lockers and facilities FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach Tomioka Silk Mill without a hire car?
Take Joshin Railway from Takasaki to Joshu-Tomioka, then walk about 15 minutes. The official train journey estimate is about 40 minutes; allow separate time for the mill visit.
Can I still visit the open-air bath on the final morning in winter?
Sainokawara opens at 7 am from April to November and 9 am from December to March. In winter, bathing and returning to your accommodation to prepare for departure may leave little time, so consider bathing the previous day. Choose around your accommodation's check-out conditions and return bus.
Open-air bath prices and hoursYubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ
Official sources and check dates
- Current outbound Kannonyama route 14 timetable ·
- Current return Kannonyama route 13 timetable ·
- Gururin standard and JPY 100 section fares ·
- Kannonyama walking map ·
- Byakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours ·
- Joshin Railway weekday outbound timetable from Takasaki ·
- Weekday inbound timetable from Joshu-Tomioka ·
- Getting to the silk mill ·
- JR 2026 revised fare information ·
- Joshu-Tomioka fares ·
- Walk from the terminal to Yubatake Souan ·
- Yubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ ·
- JR Bus operator's route hub and linked current timetable ·
- October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar ·
- Shinjuku Level 4 guide ·
- Performance and ticket sales conditions ·
- Open-air bath prices and hours ·
- Open-air bath walking directions, lockers and facilities FAQ ·
- Park walking reference ·
- Official visitor guide ·
- Individual reservation information ·
- JR East station and line timetables for your visit date ·
- Tomioka Silk Mill warehouse and silk-reeling building highlights ·