Two days in Gunma: the silk mill or hot springs?
Stay one night in Takasaki for the Byakue Dai-Kannon and Tomioka Silk Mill. On day two, visit the mill by Joshin Railway, then connect at Takasaki to a JR train towards Tokyo. For a hot spring trip, enjoy a yumomi performance and morning outdoor bath in Kusatsu, returning on a direct Shinjuku bus. Winter outdoor baths open at 09:00; move bathing to the previous day if that does not fit your departure.
Choose a 2 days, 1 night itinerary
Kannonyama and Tomioka Silk Mill
Stay one night in Takasaki to see a large Kannon statue and a historic silk-reeling factory. Visit the Byakue Dai-Kannon on day one and Tomioka Silk Mill on day two, then return to Takasaki for a train to Tokyo.
Kannonyama and Tomioka Silk Mill →2 days, 1 night BA Kusatsu performance and a morning outdoor bath
See a yumomi performance on your first day in Kusatsu, then enjoy an outdoor bath the next morning. This short hot spring trip focuses on a performance and one bathing facility.
A Kusatsu performance and a morning outdoor bath →Kannonyama and Tomioka Silk Mill
Stay one night in Takasaki to see a large Kannon statue and a historic silk-reeling factory. Visit the Byakue Dai-Kannon on day one and Tomioka Silk Mill on day two, then return to Takasaki for a train to Tokyo.
Day 1 · Visit the Byakue Dai-Kannon on Kannonyama
Arrive in Takasaki and visit the Kannon statue and surrounding grounds.
- Tokyo Station and Takasaki Station → Byakui Kannon-mae
From Tokyo Station, take an ordinary train for Takasaki on a JR Takasaki Line service. At Takasaki Station's west exit bay 8, take Gururin Kannonyama route 14 via Kataoka to Byakui Kannon-mae. Use official searches to choose a direct train and buses in both directions for your date.
JR East station and line timetables for your dateCurrent Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable
- Byakui Kannon-mae → Byakue Dai-Kannon
Follow the path beside the Daishido from the stop up to the statue. If the stairs inside the statue are difficult for you, choose a walk through the grounds. Interior visits are available 09:00–17:00 in March–October and 09:00–16:30 in November–February.
Kannonyama walking mapByakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours
- Byakue Dai-Kannon → Takasaki Station
Walk back down the same route and take Gururin route 13 towards Takasaki Station west exit from Byakui Kannon-mae. Distinguish outward route 14 from return route 13. Finish your first day with dinner near the station.
Current Kannonyama route 13 return timetableCurrent Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable
Day 2 · Visit Tomioka Silk Mill and return to Tokyo
Explore the industrial silk-reeling facilities, then take Joshin Railway back to Takasaki.
- Takasaki Station → Tomioka Silk Mill
Follow Joshin Railway signs from the JR west exit to its platforms. Take a local train towards Shimonita to Joshu-Tomioka, then walk about 15 minutes to the mill.
Joshin Railway Takasaki weekday outbound timetableJoshu-Tomioka weekday inbound timetableSilk mill accessOfficial visitor informationIndividual reservation information
- Silk mill entrance → Silk mill visit
Explore the long brick storehouses and silk-reeling building to see how the factory drew silk from cocoons. Hours are 09:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30; individual visitors do not need reservations. For further explanation, check the separate guided-tour information on site.
Silk mill accessOfficial visitor informationIndividual reservation informationTomioka Silk Mill storehouses and reeling building highlights
- Silk mill and Joshu-Tomioka Station → Takasaki Station and Tokyo Station
After lunch, return to Joshu-Tomioka Station and take a Joshin Railway local train towards Takasaki. Connect there to an ordinary JR train towards Tokyo. Check weekday versus weekend/public holiday services in the official inbound timetable and whether your JR train runs directly to Tokyo.
Joshin Railway Takasaki weekday outbound timetableJoshu-Tomioka weekday inbound timetableJR East station and line timetables for your dateJR 2026 revised fare guidance
Included: Ordinary JR trains return JPY 4,180 + Kannonyama buses return JPY 400 + statue interior JPY 300 + Joshin Railway return JPY 1,620 + silk mill admission JPY 1,000.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to your starting station, luggage storage and extra visits or activities cost extra. Shinkansen, limited express and Green Car travel are excluded.
Fares checked: 8 October 2026. Tokyo–Takasaki and Joshin Railway amounts use ordinary tickets.
Gururin basic fare and JPY 100 sectionsByakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hoursJR 2026 revised fare guidanceJoshu-Tomioka fareOfficial visitor information
A Kusatsu performance and a morning outdoor bath
See a yumomi performance on your first day in Kusatsu, then enjoy an outdoor bath the next morning. This short hot spring trip focuses on a performance and one bathing facility.
Day 1 · Arrive in Kusatsu and see a yumomi performance
Explore Yubatake, the centre of the hot spring town, and begin with a performance.
- Busta Shinjuku, fourth floor → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
Take your reserved Joshu Yumeguri direct bus. Book both journeys for your date and check the boarding location on the departure board that day. Leave time for road delays instead of scheduling a performance immediately after arrival.
Shinjuku fourth-floor guideJR Bus operator 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 in the official calendar for your date, and arrive for on-site ticket sales 30 minutes before it starts. Advance reservations are not accepted; if sold out, choose another session or day.
- Netsunoyu → Performance and Yubatake area
After the yumomi and dance performance, have dinner around Yubatake and rest. Choose separately between watching the performance and paying for a hands-on yumomi experience.
Performance admission and ticket conditionsYubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and morning FAQ
Day 2 · Enjoy a morning outdoor bath and return to Shinjuku
Relax in a spacious outdoor bath before leaving town. Fit morning bathing around your accommodation departure arrangements.
- Yubatake → Sainokawara Open-air Bath
Walk through Sainokawara Street and the park to the outdoor bath. The walk from Yubatake takes about 12 minutes; allow for uphill and downhill sections and reception time.
Outdoor bath prices and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers and facilities FAQWalking within the park
- Outdoor bath entrance → Bathing and rest
April–November hours are 07:00–20:00, with last entry at 19:30. The outdoor bath has no washing area, hair dryers or towel rental, so bring your own towel. If the winter 09:00 opening does not fit your departure from your accommodation, bathe the previous day instead.
Outdoor bath prices and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers and facilities FAQWalking within the park
- Sainokawara Open-air Bath → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and Busta Shinjuku
Walk back to town, finish preparing to leave, then go to the terminal. Take your reserved Joshu Yumeguri service to Shinjuku. Allow for road delays when planning other reservations after arrival in Shinjuku.
JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetableOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarYubatake Souan walking access from the terminalYubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and morning FAQ
Included: Direct Shinjuku bus return JPY 7,400 + yumomi performance JPY 700 + outdoor bath JPY 800 + paid locker JPY 100. The bus amount is an October 2026 category C standard fare example; recalculate using your date's fare.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, travel to your starting station, luggage storage and extra visits or activities cost extra. Towels, private rooms and privately reserved baths are excluded; no three-bath ticket discount is applied.
Fares checked: 8 October 2026. Bathing facilities use individual tickets.
October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarPerformance admission and ticket conditionsOutdoor bath prices and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers and facilities FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach Tomioka Silk Mill without a rental car?
Take Joshin Railway from Takasaki to Joshu-Tomioka, then walk about 15 minutes. The official train journey estimate is about 40 minutes; allow extra time for your visit beyond the train journey.
Can I visit the outdoor bath on my last morning in winter?
Sainokawara Open-air Bath opens at 07:00 in April–November and 09:00 in December–March. Winter opening may leave little time to return to your accommodation and prepare to leave, so consider bathing the previous day. Choose around your accommodation's check-out conditions and return bus.
Outdoor bath prices and hoursYubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and morning FAQ
Official sources and check dates
- Current Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable ·
- Current Kannonyama route 13 return timetable ·
- Gururin basic fare and JPY 100 sections ·
- Kannonyama walking map ·
- Byakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours ·
- Joshin Railway Takasaki weekday outbound timetable ·
- Joshu-Tomioka weekday inbound timetable ·
- Silk mill access ·
- JR 2026 revised fare guidance ·
- Joshu-Tomioka fare ·
- Yubatake Souan walking access from the terminal ·
- Yubatake Souan check-in, luggage storage and morning FAQ ·
- JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetable ·
- October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar ·
- Shinjuku fourth-floor guide ·
- Performance admission and ticket conditions ·
- Outdoor bath prices and hours ·
- Outdoor bath walking access, lockers and facilities FAQ ·
- Walking within the park ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Individual reservation information ·
- JR East station and line timetables for your date ·
- Tomioka Silk Mill storehouses and reeling building highlights ·