Four nights in Gunma: former residence or tropical dome?
For a longer Takasaki stay, see the Kannon statue, paint a daruma and visit history and modern art exhibitions, then explore the city art museum and Former Inoue Residence on the last day. Residence interiors open 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00; choose a Tokyo-bound train after your visit. The Kusatsu choice adds a Kusatsu Nettaiken animal-watching day between the performance and three bathing facilities, returning to Shinjuku on the last day.
Choose a 5 days / 4 nights itinerary
Daruma painting and three exhibitions from Takasaki
Stay four nights in Takasaki to paint a daruma, see history and art exhibitions, and explore a former residence. Give Kannonyama, daruma painting, the history museum and modern art museum a day each, then visit the city art museum and Former Inoue Residence on the last day.
Daruma painting and three exhibitions from Takasaki →5 days / 4 nights BKusatsu’s three baths and tropical dome on separate days
Add a day at Kusatsu Nettaiken between the performance and three bathing facilities. Alternate bathing and animal watching during a longer stay in the hot-spring town.
Kusatsu’s three baths and tropical dome on separate days →Daruma painting and three exhibitions from Takasaki
Stay four nights in Takasaki to paint a daruma, see history and art exhibitions, and explore a former residence. Give Kannonyama, daruma painting, the history museum and modern art museum a day each, then visit the city art museum and Former Inoue Residence on the last day.
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: paint a daruma at Shorinzan
Visit the daruma hall, then paint a daruma you choose yourself.
- Takasaki Station west exit, stand 4 → Shorinzan workshop
Take Gururin Shorinzan Line route 1 via Notsuke and Shorinzan to Shorinzan-iriguchi. The temple is about five minutes from the stop; after the main gate, climb about 200 more steps to the upper workshop. If stairs are difficult, ask the facility about possible transport assistance before booking.
Shorinzan timetable revised 2025 and west-exit stand 4Official Gunma tourism: west-exit stand 4 and walkShorinzan main gate, stairs and workshop layoutDaruma workshop reception, prices and reservations
- Daruma hall and painting workshop → Temple grounds and daruma painting
See daruma of different shapes in the hall, then paint one in the workshop. Painting takes about 30 minutes, excluding waits. Individuals can participate without a reservation, but book ahead if you want a particular start time. The daruma hall is open 09:00–17:00.
Daruma workshop reception, prices and reservationsOfficial Gunma tourism: ordinary Shorinzan worshipShorinzan main gate, stairs and workshop layout
- Upper workshop and Shorinzan-iriguchi → Takasaki Station
Take your painted daruma and descend through the main gate to the stop. Return on Gururin Shorinzan Line route 2 towards Takasaki Station west exit, then have a meal. Allow time to descend the steps when choosing your return bus.
Shorinzan route 2: current return timetableShorinzan timetable revised 2025 and west-exit stand 4Shorinzan main gate, stairs and workshop layout
Day 3: local history exhibitions
Focus on history at one of the two facilities in Gunma no Mori park.
- Takasaki Station east exit → Gunma no Mori and Gunma Prefectural Museum of History
Take Gururin Gunma no Mori Line route 9 via Gendai and Motoshimana to Gunma no Mori. Stay on the same bus when the named route changes at Watanuki-machi; no transfer is needed. Follow Gunma Prefectural Museum of History signs on the park map. The museum is about five minutes from the stop.
Gunma no Mori route 9: current timetableGunma no Mori timetable revised 2025Modern art museum access and return bus timetableHistory museum: 2026 special exhibition and feesHistory museum access and facilities
- Gunma Prefectural Museum of History → Exhibitions on your visit date
Choose a history exhibition open on your date and check what your ticket includes. Special and permanent exhibitions may have different fees and ticket conditions. Open 09:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Mondays are normally closed; check the calendar for your date.
History museum: current exhibition dates and admission conditionsHistory museum access and facilitiesHistory museum: 2026 opening calendar
- Gunma Prefectural Museum of History → Takasaki Station
After visiting, rest in the park, then return to the Gunma no Mori stop for route 9 to Takasaki Station east exit. Check outward and return services separately in the official timetable. Eat and rest near the station.
Gunma no Mori route 9: current timetableGunma no Mori timetable revised 2025Modern art museum access and return bus timetable
Day 4: the modern art collection
See Japanese and Western modern art at the other museum in Gunma no Mori park.
- Takasaki Station east exit → Gunma no Mori and the Museum of Modern Art, Gunma
Take Gururin Gunma no Mori Line route 9 via Gendai and Motoshimana to Gunma no Mori. Stay on the same bus when the named route changes at Watanuki-machi; no transfer is needed. Follow signs for the Museum of Modern Art, Gunma on the park map.
Gunma no Mori route 9: current timetableGunma no Mori timetable revised 2025Modern art museum access and return bus timetableModern art museum: 2026 collection exhibition and fees
- The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma → Exhibitions on your visit date
Check the collection exhibition and galleries open on your date. If there is a special exhibition, compare its fee and ticket coverage separately. Open 09:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Check the official calendar for Monday and public-holiday arrangements.
Modern art museum: current exhibition dates and admission conditionsModern art museum access and return bus timetable
- The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma → Takasaki Station
After visiting, rest in the park, then return to the Gunma no Mori stop for route 9 to Takasaki Station east exit. Check outward and return services separately in the official timetable. Eat and rest near the station.
Gunma no Mori route 9: current timetableGunma no Mori timetable revised 2025Modern art museum access and return bus timetable
Day 5: city art museum and Former Inoue Residence
See the exhibition and residence interiors before returning to the station on your last day.
- Takasaki Station west exit → Takasaki City Museum of Art
Walk about three minutes from the station to the city art museum. See the exhibition on your date after its 10:00 opening. This is a different facility from the prefectural modern art museum. Normal hours are 10:00–18:00, last admission 17:30; Fridays extend to 20:00, last admission 19:30.
Takasaki City Museum of Art: access and hoursTakasaki City Museum of Art: Human Figure and fees
- City art museum → Former Inoue Residence
Follow the museum’s guidance to the residence entrance and explore the interior and garden. Interior visiting times are 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00. For a visit after lunch, use the afternoon session and check seasonal garden hours too.
Takasaki City Museum of Art: Human Figure and feesTakasaki City Museum of Art: access and hours
- Former Inoue Residence → Takasaki Station and Tokyo Station
After visiting, return to Takasaki Station for an ordinary JR train towards Tokyo. Choose a return departure after the afternoon residence visit and check whether it runs directly to Tokyo.
JR East station and line timetables for your dateJR 2026 fare revision informationTakasaki City Museum of Art: access and hours
Included items: Ordinary JR return: 4,180 yen; Kannonyama bus and statue interior: 700 yen; Shorinzan bus and 12 cm daruma painting: 1,900 yen; history museum bus and special exhibition: 1,400 yen; modern art museum bus and collection: 700 yen; city art museum ticket including the former residence: 300 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. Exhibition costs use the history museum’s September 18–November 23 special exhibition and the modern art museum’s September 19–November 8 collection exhibition. Recheck admission for other exhibition periods. The city art museum ticket including the residence uses the October 10–December 13, 2026 exhibition.
JR 2026 fare revision informationTakasaki Byakue Daikannon: interior fees and seasonal hoursHistory museum: 2026 special exhibition and feesModern art museum: 2026 collection exhibition and feesModern art museum access and return bus timetableDaruma workshop reception, prices and reservationsShorinzan timetable revised 2025 and west-exit stand 4Takasaki City Museum of Art: Human Figure and feesGururin ordinary and 100-yen section fares
Kusatsu’s three baths and tropical dome on separate days
Add a day at Kusatsu Nettaiken between the performance and three bathing facilities. Alternate bathing and animal watching during a longer stay in the hot-spring town.
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: relax at Gozanoyu indoor baths
Spend a leisurely day using the indoor baths and lounge beside Yubatake.
- Yubatake → Gozanoyu
Follow Gozanoyu signs southwest of Yubatake to the entrance. Choose this facility if you want indoor baths with a washing area.
Gozanoyu: current fees and loungeGozanoyu: lockers, towels and facilities FAQ
- Gozanoyu entrance → Indoor baths and large lounge
Rest in the large lounge after bathing. April–November hours are 07:00–21:00, last admission 20:30; the large lounge is available 09:00–20:00. Paid private rooms are separate.
Gozanoyu: current fees and loungeGozanoyu: lockers, towels and facilities FAQ
- Gozanoyu → Yubatake area
There is no restaurant inside the bath facility, so go out for a meal around Yubatake. Today focuses on bathing and rest rather than rushing between baths.
Day 3: animals at Kusatsu Nettaiken
Between bathing days, see animals in a dome heated by hot-spring water.
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal → Kusatsu Nettaiken
Follow the tourism association’s roughly 12-minute walking route to Kusatsu Nettaiken, using the official map and signs on site.
- Kusatsu Nettaiken entrance → Dome and general viewing areas
Explore the hot-spring-heated dome and general viewing areas. Open 08:30–17:00, with no regular closing day listed. Check same-day arrangements for feeding or animal-contact events and choose them separately.
- Kusatsu Nettaiken → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and town
Follow the access map back towards the terminal, about 12 minutes on foot. Finish the visit with lunch and a rest in town.
Day 4: choose your baths at Otakinoyu
Choose the large indoor bath or open-air bath to suit you, then rest.
- Yubatake → Otakinoyu
Follow facility signs to Otakinoyu. Official guidance gives about seven to eight minutes on foot from Yubatake; allow extra time for reception.
- Otakinoyu entrance → Bathe and relax
Choose the large indoor bath or open-air bath. You do not need to enter the hot awaseyu baths if they are uncomfortable. Open 09:00–21:00, last admission 20:00. Afterwards, relax in the free shared rest area.
Otakinoyu fees and operationOtakinoyu walking access and lockersOtakinoyu official English name
- Otakinoyu → Yubatake area
Walk back to Yubatake the same way, about seven to eight minutes, for a meal. Paid private rooms and private baths are optional extras.
Day 5: 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; Gozanoyu: 900 yen; Otakinoyu: 1,200 yen; paid lockers: 300 yen; Kusatsu Nettaiken: 1,300 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 FAQGozanoyu: current fees and loungeGozanoyu: lockers, towels and facilities FAQOtakinoyu fees and operationOtakinoyu walking access and lockersKusatsu Nettaiken: tourism association fees, hours and walk
Exhibition dates and course budgets
These two temporary exhibitions are running as of October 9, 2026. Their dates and fees apply only to the stated periods. For a different visit date, check new exhibitions, closures and tickets, then recalculate costs.
History museum: Noh costume exhibition
The 115th exhibition, “Noh Costumes Revived in the Present” (translated title), runs September 18–November 23, 2026. Adult admission of 1,000 yen includes permanent displays. This course’s history museum budget uses these exhibition conditions, separate from 300-yen permanent-only admission when no special exhibition is held.
History museum: 2026 special exhibition and feesHistory museum: current exhibition dates and admission conditions
Modern art museum: Japanese and Western Modern Art I
This collection exhibition runs September 19–November 8, 2026 in second-floor galleries 2 and 6. Ordinary adult admission of 300 yen applies to this exhibition. Recheck fees and ticket coverage if the exhibition changes or you choose another special exhibition.
Modern art museum: 2026 collection exhibition and feesModern art museum: current exhibition dates and admission conditions
Visit Tomioka for a day while staying in Takasaki?
For industrial heritage, compare replacing an exhibition day in your Takasaki cultural course with Tomioka Silk Mill. This changes one day’s destination rather than adding every attraction to the original course.
Take a return Joshin trip and walk to the mill
From Takasaki Station’s west side, take a local Joshin train towards Shimonita to Joshu-Tomioka. Walk about 15 minutes to the mill, then return from the same station on a Takasaki-bound train after visiting and lunch. The mill opens 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30, closing December 29–31. Choose both directions’ timetables for your date.
Ordinary tickets and Tokyo Wide Pass
Ordinary adult Joshin return fare of 1,620 yen plus mill admission of 1,000 yen totals 2,620 yen, excluding meals and the separate 200-yen guide. Tokyo Wide Pass includes Joshin but not mill admission. The 16,000-yen adult pass, valid for three consecutive days, costs more than ordinary rail tickets for this return alone. When replacing an exhibition day, revise the original subtotal by removing that exhibition and bus costs too.
Joshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visitor informationJR Tokyo Wide Pass: routes, price and three consecutive days
Silk mill accessJoshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visitor information
Move from Takasaki for one night in Kusatsu?
For culture and hot springs together, compare replacing one Takasaki night with one in Kusatsu. This does not add a hot-spring stay to the original four-night course. Revise the omitted exhibition day, travel and accommodation costs together.
Separate the move to Kusatsu and return to Takasaki
From Takasaki, choose a JR Agatsuma Line train towards Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then change there to a Kusatsu Onsen-bound JR bus. On moving day, walk from the terminal to Yubatake and explore the hot-spring town instead of adding an exhibition. The next day, take a terminal bus to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and a JR train back to Takasaki. Check operating days and connections both ways. JR buses cannot be reserved, and you cannot board if capacity is reached; do not rely solely on the last bus.
Official Gunma tourism: Takasaki, Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and Kusatsu accessJR Bus Kusatsu and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi: both directions, dates and boarding conditionsOfficial Gunma tourism: Kusatsu access from Takasaki, station names and Wide Pass bus exclusion
Budget for rail, buses and accommodation; choose your baths
No total trip budget is set for this choice. Add JR return tickets, JR return buses, one Kusatsu night, meals and chosen performances and baths separately. Distinguish JR rail within Tokyo Wide Pass’s three consecutive days from excluded JR buses. If using all three baths, compare the 2,100-yen combined ticket with 2,900 yen in individual admissions. For just one bath, choose individual tickets first; performance, towels and lockers are separate. Remove the omitted day’s exhibition and bus items from the original four-night Takasaki course. Do not reuse the four-night Kusatsu course’s Shinjuku direct-bus cost for this journey.
Kusatsu three-bath ticket: price, one visit each, validity and on-site salesJR Tokyo Wide Pass: routes, price and three consecutive daysJR Tokyo Wide Pass carriage conditions: JR buses excluded and reserved seats
Official Gunma tourism: Takasaki, Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and Kusatsu accessJR Bus Kusatsu and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi: both directions, dates and boarding conditionsOfficial Gunma tourism: Kusatsu access from Takasaki, station names and Wide Pass bus exclusion
Frequently asked questions
Are the Former Inoue Residence interiors open throughout museum hours?
Interior visits are split into 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00. These differ from Takasaki City Museum of Art exhibition hours; choose one session to see inside the residence. Four-night course A visits the residence in the afternoon before taking a return train from Takasaki. Human Figure, October 10–December 13, 2026, costs 300 yen for ordinary adult admission including the residence; recheck fees and closures for other exhibition periods.
Does one Tokyo Wide Pass cover four nights and five days in Takasaki?
Validity is three consecutive days from your chosen start date. Starting on day one excludes day five’s return to Tokyo. Officially covered routes include JR East and Joshin Electric Railway; Gururin buses, admission and daruma painting are separate. It is for foreign nationals holding a passport issued outside Japan; Temporary Visitor status is not required for this pass. The current adult price of 16,000 yen is higher than this course’s 4,180-yen ordinary Tokyo–Takasaki return, so it is not a cheaper choice for those journeys alone. Compare again using actual sections and dates if adding Shinkansen or other travel.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass: routes, price and three consecutive daysJR pass purchase, eligibility, passport and Temporary Visitor exceptionJR 2026 fare revision information
When should I start a pass for one Kusatsu night during four nights in Tokyo?
Choose three consecutive days including both your journey to Kusatsu and the next day’s return to Tokyo. Starting on day one excludes day five’s return rail travel. Compare rail journeys beyond the Kusatsu return too before choosing ordinary tickets or a pass. JR buses, local accommodation, meals and bathing admission are separate either way. Obtain seat tickets in advance if using reserved seats.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass: official coverage mapJR Tokyo Wide Pass: routes, price and three consecutive daysJR Bus route informationTourism informationJR Tokyo Wide Pass carriage conditions: JR buses excluded and reserved seatsJR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal and Yubatake access
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 ·
- 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 ·
- Gozanoyu: current fees and lounge ·
- Gozanoyu: lockers, towels and facilities FAQ ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Tourism information ·
- JR Bus route information ·
- Otakinoyu fees and operation ·
- Otakinoyu walking access and lockers ·
- Otakinoyu official English name ·
- Otakinoyu access ·
- Kusatsu Nettaiken: tourism association fees, hours and walk ·
- Shorinzan timetable revised 2025 and west-exit stand 4 ·
- Gunma no Mori timetable revised 2025 ·
- Gunma no Mori route 9: current timetable ·
- Shorinzan route 2: current return timetable ·
- History museum: 2026 special exhibition and fees ·
- History museum access and facilities ·
- Modern art museum: 2026 collection exhibition and fees ·
- Modern art museum access and return bus timetable ·
- Takasaki City Museum of Art: Human Figure and fees ·
- Takasaki City Museum of Art: access and hours ·
- Daruma workshop reception, prices and reservations ·
- Shorinzan main gate, stairs and workshop layout ·
- History museum: 2026 opening calendar ·
- Official Gunma tourism: ordinary Shorinzan worship ·
- Official Gunma tourism: west-exit stand 4 and walk ·
- JR East station and line timetables for your date ·
- Kusatsu three-bath ticket: price, one visit each, validity and on-site sales ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass: routes, price and three consecutive days ·
- JR pass purchase, eligibility, passport and Temporary Visitor exception ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass: official coverage map ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass carriage conditions: JR buses excluded and reserved seats ·
- JR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal and Yubatake access ·
- History museum: current exhibition dates and admission conditions ·
- Modern art museum: current exhibition dates and admission conditions ·
- Official Gunma tourism: Takasaki, Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and Kusatsu access ·
- JR Bus Kusatsu and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi: both directions, dates and boarding conditions ·
- Official Gunma tourism: Kusatsu access from Takasaki, station names and Wide Pass bus exclusion ·