One night in Gunma: silk mill or hot springs?
Stay one night in Takasaki for Takasaki Byakue Daikannon and Tomioka Silk Mill. On day two, visit the mill by Joshin Electric Railway, then connect at Takasaki to a Tokyo-bound JR train. For a hot-spring trip, enjoy Kusatsu yumomi and a morning open-air bath, then return by direct bus to Shinjuku. Winter open-air baths open at 09:00; move bathing to the day before if this does not fit departure.
Choose a 2 days / 1 night itinerary
Kannonyama, then Tomioka Silk Mill
Stay one night in Takasaki to see the large Kannon statue and a former silk-making factory. Visit Takasaki Byakue Daikannon on day one and Tomioka Silk Mill the next, then return to Takasaki for a Tokyo-bound train.
Kannonyama, then Tomioka Silk Mill →2 days / 1 night BKusatsu yumomi, then an open-air bath the next morning
Watch a yumomi performance on your first day in Kusatsu and enjoy an open-air bath the next morning. This short hot-spring stay focuses on the performance and one bathing facility.
Kusatsu yumomi, then an open-air bath the next morning →Kannonyama, then Tomioka Silk Mill
Stay one night in Takasaki to see the large Kannon statue and a former silk-making factory. Visit Takasaki Byakue Daikannon on day one and Tomioka Silk Mill the next, then return to Takasaki for a Tokyo-bound train.
Day 1: Takasaki Byakue Daikannon on Kannonyama
Arrive in Takasaki and visit the Kannon statue and surrounding temple grounds.
- Tokyo Station and Takasaki Station → Byakue-Kannon-mae
From Tokyo Station, take an ordinary Takasaki-bound JR service via the Takasaki Line. At Takasaki Station west exit, board Gururin Kannonyama Line route 14 via Kataoka from stand 8 and alight at Byakue-Kannon-mae. Use official searches to choose a direct train and outward and return buses for your visit date.
JR East station and line timetables for your dateKannonyama Line route 14: current outward timetable
- Byakue-Kannon-mae → Takasaki Byakue Daikannon
From the stop, follow the path beside Daishido up to the Kannon statue. If the stairs inside the statue are difficult, choose a walk through the grounds instead. Interior visiting hours are 09:00–17:00 March–October and 09:00–16:30 November–February.
Kannonyama walking mapTakasaki Byakue Daikannon: interior fees and seasonal hours
- Takasaki Byakue Daikannon → Takasaki Station
Walk back down the same route and board Gururin route 13 towards Takasaki Station west exit at Byakue-Kannon-mae. Use route 14 outward and route 13 back. Finish the day with dinner near the station.
Kannonyama Line route 13: current return timetableKannonyama Line route 14: current outward timetable
Day 2: Tomioka Silk Mill, then return to Tokyo
Explore the former silk-making facilities, then return to Takasaki by Joshin Electric Railway.
- Takasaki Station → Tomioka Silk Mill
From the JR west exit, follow Joshin Electric Railway signs to its platform. Take a local train towards Shimonita to Joshu-Tomioka, then walk about 15 minutes to the silk mill.
Joshin Takasaki: weekday outbound timetableJoshu-Tomioka: weekday inbound timetableSilk mill accessOfficial visitor informationIndividual visitor reservation information
- Silk mill entrance → Explore the silk-making facilities
Explore the long brick warehouses and silk-reeling building to see how the factory drew silk from cocoons. Open 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30. Individual visitors do not need a reservation. For more explanation, check the separate guided-tour information on site.
Silk mill accessOfficial visitor informationIndividual visitor reservation informationTomioka Silk Mill: warehouses and silk-reeling building
- Silk mill and Joshu-Tomioka Station → Takasaki Station and Tokyo Station
After lunch, return to Joshu-Tomioka Station and take a Takasaki-bound local Joshin train. Continue from Takasaki on an ordinary JR train towards Tokyo. Use the official inbound timetable for weekdays or weekends and public holidays, and check whether your JR train runs directly to Tokyo.
Joshin Takasaki: weekday outbound timetableJoshu-Tomioka: weekday inbound timetableJR East station and line timetables for your dateJR 2026 fare revision information
Included items: Ordinary JR return: 4,180 yen; Kannonyama return bus: 400 yen; statue interior: 300 yen; Joshin Electric Railway return: 1,620 yen; silk mill: 1,000 yen.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, access to the starting station, luggage storage and extra visits or experiences are separate. Shinkansen, limited express and Green Car travel are excluded.
Fares checked: 2026-10-08. Tokyo–Takasaki and Joshin Electric Railway fares use ordinary tickets.
Gururin ordinary and 100-yen section faresTakasaki Byakue Daikannon: interior fees and seasonal hoursJR 2026 fare revision informationJoshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visitor information
Kusatsu yumomi, then an open-air bath the next morning
Watch a yumomi performance on your first day in Kusatsu and enjoy an open-air bath the next morning. This short hot-spring stay focuses on the performance and one bathing facility.
Day 1: arrive in Kusatsu and watch yumomi
Begin at Yubatake in the centre of the hot-spring town, then watch the performance.
- Busta Shinjuku, fourth floor → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
Take your reserved Joshu Yumeguri direct bus. Reserve outward and return services for your date and check the boarding location on the departure board that day. Allow for road delays and leave time between arrival and your performance.
Shinjuku fourth-floor guidanceJR 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 the Yubatake area for a meal and a look around the town. Choose a Netsunoyu performance from 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 performance or day.
- Netsunoyu → Yumomi performance and Yubatake area
After the yumomi and dance performance, have dinner and rest around Yubatake. Watching the performance and trying yumomi yourself are separate experiences.
Performance and ticket-sale conditionsYubatake Souan: check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ
Day 2: morning open-air bath, then return to Shinjuku
Relax in the spacious open-air bath before leaving town. Choose morning bathing to fit the departure arrangements at your accommodation.
- Yubatake → Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
Walk through Sainokawara Street and the park to the open-air bath. The walk from Yubatake takes about 12 minutes; allow extra time for slopes and reception.
Open-air bath fees and hoursOpen-air bath: walking, lockers and facilities FAQWalking reference within the park
- Open-air bath entrance → Bathe and relax
April–November hours are 07:00–20:00, last admission 19:30. The open-air bath has no washing area, hairdryers or towel hire, so bring your own towel. If the winter opening time of 09:00 is too late for your departure, bathe the day before instead.
Open-air bath fees and hoursOpen-air bath: walking, lockers and facilities FAQWalking reference within the park
- Sainokawara Open-Air Bath → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and Busta Shinjuku
Return to town the same way, prepare for departure and go to the terminal. Take your reserved Shinjuku-bound Joshu Yumeguri bus. Allow for road delays when planning any other booking after your Shinjuku arrival.
JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetableOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarYubatake Souan: walk from the terminalYubatake Souan: check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ
Included items: Shinjuku direct return bus: 7,400 yen; yumomi performance: 700 yen; open-air bath: 800 yen; paid locker: 100 yen. The bus fare is an example of October 2026 category C ordinary fares; recalculate using fares for your date.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, access to the starting station, luggage storage and extra visits or experiences are separate. Towels, private rooms and private baths are excluded; three-bath ticket discounts are not applied.
Fares checked: 2026-10-08. Bathing facilities use individual tickets.
October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarPerformance and ticket-sale conditionsOpen-air bath fees and hoursOpen-air bath: walking, lockers and facilities FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach Tomioka Silk Mill without a rental car?
Take Joshin Electric Railway from Takasaki to Joshu-Tomioka, then walk about 15 minutes. Official guidance gives about 40 minutes for the train journey; train and visiting time are separate.
Can I visit the open-air bath on departure morning in winter?
Sainokawara Open-Air Bath opens at 07:00 April–November and 09:00 December–March. In winter, time to bathe, return to your accommodation and prepare to leave may be tight, so consider bathing the day before. Fit your choice around your property’s check-out conditions and return bus.
Open-air bath fees and hoursYubatake Souan: check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ
Official sources and check dates
- Kannonyama Line route 14: current outward timetable ·
- Kannonyama Line route 13: current return timetable ·
- Gururin ordinary and 100-yen section fares ·
- Kannonyama walking map ·
- Takasaki Byakue Daikannon: interior fees and seasonal hours ·
- Joshin Takasaki: weekday outbound timetable ·
- Joshu-Tomioka: weekday inbound timetable ·
- Silk mill access ·
- JR 2026 fare revision information ·
- Joshu-Tomioka fares ·
- Yubatake Souan: walk from the terminal ·
- Yubatake Souan: check-in, luggage storage and breakfast FAQ ·
- JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetable ·
- October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar ·
- Shinjuku fourth-floor guidance ·
- Performance and ticket-sale conditions ·
- Open-air bath fees and hours ·
- Open-air bath: walking, lockers and facilities FAQ ·
- Walking reference within the park ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Individual visitor reservation information ·
- JR East station and line timetables for your date ·
- Tomioka Silk Mill: warehouses and silk-reeling building ·