Five days in Gunma: explore the former residence or tropical dome?
For a longer Takasaki stay, explore the statue, daruma painting, history and modern art, then city museum and former Inoue residence on the final day. Residence interiors open 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00; choose a Tokyo train afterwards. Kusatsu adds a Nettaiken day among performances and three baths, returning to Shinjuku on the final day.
Choose a 4 nights, 5 days itinerary
Stay in Takasaki for daruma painting and three exhibitions
Stay four Takasaki nights to paint a daruma and explore history, art and a former residence. Give Kannonyama, daruma painting, history museum and modern art museum a day each, then visit the city art museum and former Inoue residence on the final day.
Stay in Takasaki for daruma painting and three exhibitions →4 nights, 5 days BGive Kusatsu’s three baths and tropical dome separate days
Add a Kusatsu Nettaiken day among the performance and three bathing facilities. Alternate bathing and animal observation during a longer stay in the village.
Give Kusatsu’s three baths and tropical dome separate days →Stay in Takasaki for daruma painting and three exhibitions
Stay four Takasaki nights to paint a daruma and explore history, art and a former residence. Give Kannonyama, daruma painting, history museum and modern art museum a day each, then visit the city art museum and former Inoue residence on the final day.
Day 1 · Explore Byakue Dai-Kannon on Kannonyama
Arrive in Takasaki and explore the statue and surrounding grounds.
- Tokyo Station and Takasaki Station → Byakui Kannon-mae
Take an ordinary Takasaki-bound JR Takasaki Line service from Tokyo Station. At Takasaki west-exit stand 8, take Gururin Kannonyama route 14 via Kataoka to Byakui Kannon-mae. Select direct trains for your travel date and outward and return buses through official searches.
JR East station and route timetables for visiting dateCurrent Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable
- Byakui Kannon-mae → Byakue Dai-Kannon
From the stop, follow the path beside Daishido up to the statue. Choose a grounds walk if the internal stairs are difficult. Interior visiting is 09:00–17:00 March–October or 09:00–16:30 November–February.
Kannonyama walking mapByakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours
- Byakue Dai-Kannon → Takasaki Station
Retrace the path to Byakui Kannon-mae and take Gururin route 13 towards Takasaki Station’s west side. Distinguish outward route 14 from return route 13, then have dinner near the station.
Current Kannonyama route 13 return timetableCurrent Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable
Day 2 · Paint a daruma at Shorinzan
Explore Daruma-do and paint a daruma you have chosen.
- Takasaki Station west-exit stand 4 → Shorinzan activity venue
Take Gururin Shorinzan route 1 via Notsuke and Shorinzan to Shorinzan Iriguchi. The temple is about five minutes from the stop; reaching the upper activity venue involves about 200 further steps beyond Somon. If stairs are difficult, ask about possible transport assistance before booking.
2025 revised Shorinzan timetable and west-side stand 4Gunma official tourism: west-side stand 4 and walking accessShorinzan Somon, stairs and activity venue layoutDaruma painting registration, prices and reservations
- Daruma-do and painting venue → Explore the grounds and paint a daruma
See different daruma in Daruma-do, then paint one at the venue. Painting takes about 30 minutes, excluding waiting. One person can participate without reservation, though advance booking helps if you want a particular start time. Daruma-do opens 09:00–17:00.
Daruma painting registration, prices and reservationsGunma official tourism: ordinary worship at ShorinzanShorinzan Somon, stairs and activity venue layout
- Upper activity venue and Shorinzan Iriguchi → Takasaki Station
Take your painted daruma and descend through Somon to the stop. Return on Gururin Shorinzan route 2 towards Takasaki Station’s west side for a meal. Allow time for the descent when choosing your return bus.
Current Shorinzan return route 2 timetable2025 revised Shorinzan timetable and west-side stand 4Shorinzan Somon, stairs and activity venue layout
Day 3 · Explore local history displays
Focus on history at one of Gunma-no-Mori park’s two cultural facilities.
- Takasaki Station east exit → Gunma-no-Mori and Gunma Prefectural Museum of History
Take Gururin Gunma-no-Mori route 9 via Gendai and Motoshimana to Gunma-no-Mori. Stay on the same bus when its course name changes at Watanukimachi; no transfer is needed. Follow park-map signs to Gunma Prefectural Museum of History, about five minutes from the stop.
Current Gunma-no-Mori route 9 timetable2025 revised Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and return bus timetablesHistory museum’s 2026 special exhibition and feesHistory museum access and facilities
- Gunma Prefectural Museum of History → Displays on your visiting date
Choose the history displays open on your date and check ticket inclusions. Special and permanent exhibitions may have different fees and ticket conditions. Open 09:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Check the date calendar, with Mondays normally closed.
History museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditionsHistory museum access and facilitiesHistory museum’s 2026 opening calendar
- Gunma Prefectural Museum of History → Takasaki Station
Rest in the park after visiting, then return to Gunma-no-Mori stop for route 9 towards Takasaki Station’s east exit. Check outward and return services separately in the official timetable. Eat and rest near the station.
Current Gunma-no-Mori route 9 timetable2025 revised Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and return bus timetables
Day 4 · Explore the modern art collection
Focus on Japanese and Western modern art at the other facility in Gunma-no-Mori park.
- Takasaki Station east exit → Gunma-no-Mori and The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma
Take Gururin Gunma-no-Mori route 9 via Gendai and Motoshimana to Gunma-no-Mori. Stay on the same bus when its course name changes at Watanukimachi; no transfer is needed. Follow park-map signs to The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma.
Current Gunma-no-Mori route 9 timetable2025 revised Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and return bus timetablesModern art museum’s 2026 collection and fees
- The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma → Displays on your visiting date
Check the collection exhibition and galleries open on your date, then explore the artworks. Compare special-exhibition fees and ticket coverage separately. Open 09:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Confirm Mondays and public holidays on the official calendar.
Modern art museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditionsModern art museum access and return bus timetables
- The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma → Takasaki Station
Rest in the park after visiting, then return to Gunma-no-Mori stop for route 9 towards Takasaki Station’s east exit. Check outward and return services separately in the official timetable. Eat and rest near the station.
Current Gunma-no-Mori route 9 timetable2025 revised Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and return bus timetables
Day 5 · Explore the city art museum and former Inoue residence
Visit the exhibition and residence interior, then return to the station on your final day.
- Takasaki Station west exit → Takasaki City Museum of Art
Walk about three minutes from the station to the city art museum. See your date’s exhibition after 10:00 opening. This differs from the prefectural modern art museum. Standard hours are 10:00–18:00, last admission 17:30; Fridays close at 20:00, with admission until 19:30.
Takasaki City Museum of Art access and operationTakasaki City Museum of Art Human Figure and fees
- City art museum → Former Inoue residence
Follow museum guidance to the residence entrance and explore the interior and garden. Interior opening is 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00. For an interior visit after lunch, arrive during the afternoon window and check seasonal garden hours separately.
Takasaki City Museum of Art Human Figure and feesTakasaki City Museum of Art access and operation
- Former Inoue residence → Takasaki Station and Tokyo Station
Return to Takasaki Station after visiting and take an ordinary JR train towards Tokyo. Choose a service after the afternoon residence visit and confirm whether it goes directly to Tokyo.
JR East station and route timetables for visiting dateJR 2026 revised faresTakasaki City Museum of Art access and operation
Included costs: JR ordinary-train return JPY 4,180 + Kannonyama buses and interior JPY 700 + Shorinzan buses and 12 cm daruma painting JPY 1,900 + history-museum buses and special exhibition JPY 1,400 + modern-art buses and collection JPY 700 + city museum and residence-inclusive ticket JPY 300.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, access to the starting station, luggage storage and extra visits and activities cost extra. Shinkansen, limited expresses and Green Car are excluded.
Rates checked on 2026-10-08. Budgets use the history museum’s 18 September–23 November special exhibition and modern art museum’s 19 September–8 November collection. Recheck fees outside those periods. The ticket covering the city museum and residence uses the 10 October–13 December 2026 exhibition.
JR 2026 revised faresByakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hoursHistory museum’s 2026 special exhibition and feesModern art museum’s 2026 collection and feesModern art museum access and return bus timetablesDaruma painting registration, prices and reservations2025 revised Shorinzan timetable and west-side stand 4Takasaki City Museum of Art Human Figure and feesGururin basic and JPY 100 section fares
Give Kusatsu’s three baths and tropical dome separate days
Add a Kusatsu Nettaiken day among the performance and three bathing facilities. Alternate bathing and animal observation during a longer stay in the village.
Day 1 · Arrive in Kusatsu and watch yumomi
Explore central Yubatake and begin with a performance.
- Busta Shinjuku, fourth floor → Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal
Take your reserved Joshu Yumeguri direct bus. Book outward and return services for your travel date and check the departure board for the boarding point. Allow road delays rather than arranging a performance immediately after arrival.
Shinjuku fourth-floor guidanceJR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetablesOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar
- Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal → Yubatake and Netsunoyu
Walk from the terminal to Yubatake for food and a village walk. Choose a Netsunoyu performance from the official date calendar, arriving for on-site ticket sales 30 minutes before it starts. Advance reservations are unavailable; if sold out, choose another show or day.
- Netsunoyu → Watch the performance and explore Yubatake
After yumomi and dancing, have dinner and rest near Yubatake. Watching the performance differs from a separate hands-on yumomi activity.
Performance and ticketing conditionsYubatake Souan check-in, luggage and breakfast FAQ
Day 2 · Relax at Gozanoyu’s indoor baths
Take time with the indoor baths and lounge beside Yubatake.
- Yubatake → Gozanoyu
Follow Gozanoyu signs southwest of Yubatake to the entrance. Choose it for indoor baths with washing facilities.
Current Gozanoyu 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 cost extra.
Current Gozanoyu fees and loungeGozanoyu lockers, towels and facilities FAQ
- Gozanoyu → Around Yubatake
There is no restaurant inside, so eat around Yubatake. Give yourself time for bathing and rest today instead of rushing to more baths.
Day 3 · Observe animals at Kusatsu Nettaiken
Between bathing days, observe animals in a dome heated by hot-spring warmth.
- Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal → Kusatsu Nettaiken
Follow the tourism association’s approximately 12-minute walking access route to Nettaiken, using the official map and local signs.
Tourism association Nettaiken fees, operation and walking access
- Nettaiken entrance → Dome and ordinary viewing areas
Explore the hot-spring-heated dome and ordinary viewing areas. Hours are 08:30–17:00, with no regular closing day listed. Check feeding and contact events on your visiting day separately if interested.
Tourism association Nettaiken fees, operation and walking access
- Kusatsu Nettaiken → Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal and village
Follow the access map about 12 minutes back towards the terminal. Have lunch and rest in the village after visiting.
Tourism association Nettaiken fees, operation and walking access
Day 4 · Choose baths at Otakinoyu
Use the large indoor or outdoor bath according to your comfort, then rest.
- Yubatake → Otakinoyu
Follow facility signs to Otakinoyu, officially about seven to eight minutes’ walk from Yubatake. Allow extra time for admission.
- Otakinoyu entrance → Bathe and rest
Choose the large indoor or outdoor baths. You need not push yourself to use the hotter awaseyu baths. Open 09:00–21:00, last admission 20:00; rest in the free shared lounge afterwards.
Otakinoyu fees and operationOtakinoyu walking access and lockersOtakinoyu official English name
- Otakinoyu → Around Yubatake
Retrace the seven-to-eight-minute walk to Yubatake for food. Paid private rooms and private baths are optional extras.
Day 5 · Enjoy a morning outdoor bath and return to Shinjuku
Relax in the large outdoor bath before leaving the village. Choose morning bathing around your hotel departure conditions.
- Yubatake → Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
Walk through Sainokawara Street and the park to the bath. It is about 12 minutes from Yubatake; allow extra time for slopes and admission.
Outdoor bath fees and hoursOutdoor bath walk, lockers and facilities FAQPark walking reference
- Outdoor bath entrance → Bathe and rest
April–November: 07:00–20:00, admission until 19:30. The outdoor bath has no washing area, hairdryers or towel hire; bring your own towel. If winter’s 09:00 opening does not fit hotel departure, bathe the previous day instead.
Outdoor bath fees and hoursOutdoor bath walk, lockers and facilities FAQPark walking reference
- Sainokawara Open-Air Bath → Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal and Busta Shinjuku
Retrace the path to the village, finish departure preparations, then go to the terminal. Take your reserved Shinjuku-bound Joshu Yumeguri bus. Allow road delays before any further booking after Shinjuku arrival.
JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetablesOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarYubatake Souan walking access from terminalYubatake Souan check-in, luggage and breakfast FAQ
Included costs: Shinjuku direct-bus return JPY 7,400 + yumomi JPY 700 + outdoor bath JPY 800 + Gozanoyu JPY 900 + Otakinoyu JPY 1,200 + paid lockers JPY 300 + Nettaiken JPY 1,300. Bus fares use an October 2026 category C ordinary-fare example; recalculate for your date.
Extra costs and conditions: Accommodation, meals, access to the starting station, luggage storage and extra visits and activities cost extra. Towels, private rooms and private baths are excluded; the three-bath-ticket discount is not applied.
Rates checked on 2026-10-08. Bathing facilities use individual tickets.
October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarPerformance and ticketing conditionsOutdoor bath fees and hoursOutdoor bath walk, lockers and facilities FAQCurrent Gozanoyu fees and loungeGozanoyu lockers, towels and facilities FAQOtakinoyu fees and operationOtakinoyu walking access and lockersTourism association Nettaiken fees, operation and walking access
Distinguish current exhibition periods from route budgets
The two exhibitions below are date-limited and running as of 9 October 2026. Outside those periods, the same exhibition and fee do not apply. Check new exhibitions, closures and tickets before recalculating for a different date.
History museum: Noh-costume special exhibition
The 115th exhibition on Noh costumes revived in the present runs 18 September–23 November 2026. Adult JPY 1,000 admission includes permanent displays. This route’s history budget uses that exhibition’s conditions, differing from JPY 300 permanent-only admission when no special exhibition runs.
History museum’s 2026 special exhibition and feesHistory museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditions
Modern art museum: Japanese and Western Modern Art I
The collection exhibition runs 19 September–8 November 2026 in second-floor galleries 2 and 6. Its ordinary adult fee is JPY 300. Recheck fees and coverage if exhibitions change or you choose another special exhibition.
Modern art museum’s 2026 collection and feesModern art museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditions
Should I visit Tomioka for a day from Takasaki?
For industrial heritage, compare replacing one exhibition day with Tomioka Silk Mill. Change one day’s destination rather than adding every sight to the existing route.
Take Joshin Railway to the mill and return to Takasaki
From Takasaki’s west side, take a Shimonita-bound Joshin local train to Joshu-Tomioka. Walk about 15 minutes to the mill, then return by Takasaki train after visiting and lunch. Mill hours are 09:00–17:00, last admission 16:30; closed 29–31 December. Choose outward and return timetables for your date together.
Ordinary tickets versus Tokyo Wide Pass
Joshin adult return JPY 1,620 + mill admission JPY 1,000 = JPY 2,620, excluding meals and the separate JPY 200 guide. The Wide Pass includes Joshin but excludes admission. This return alone does not make the JPY 16,000 three-day pass cheaper than ordinary tickets. If replacing an exhibition day, change omitted exhibition and bus items rather than retaining the original subtotal.
Joshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visiting guidanceJR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three-consecutive-day validity
Silk mill accessJoshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visiting guidance
What if I want to move from Takasaki to Kusatsu for one night?
For culture and hot springs together, compare replacing one Takasaki day with a Kusatsu night. This is not an extra hot-spring addition to the existing five-day route; change the omitted exhibition, transport and accommodation costs together.
Separate the move to Kusatsu from the Takasaki return day
Choose a JR Agatsuma Line train towards Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then change to a Kusatsu Onsen-bound JR bus. On the move day, walk from the terminal to Yubatake to explore the village rather than adding an exhibition. Return next day by bus to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then JR to Takasaki. Check operating dates and connections both ways. JR buses cannot be reserved and full buses may refuse boarding; avoid relying only on the last bus.
Gunma official tourism: Takasaki, Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and Kusatsu accessJR Bus Kusatsu and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi outward and return services, dates and boarding conditionsGunma official tourism: Kusatsu access from Takasaki, station names and Wide Pass bus exclusion
Separate rail, bus and hotel costs, then choose your baths
No whole-trip total is set for this option. Add JR and bus returns, one Kusatsu hotel night, meals and chosen performances and baths separately. Distinguish covered JR sections within three Wide Pass days from excluded JR buses. For all three baths, compare JPY 2,100 combined admission with JPY 2,900 individual fees; for one bath, choose individual entry first. Performances, towels and lockers cost extra. Remove omitted exhibition and bus items from the Takasaki five-day budget; do not reuse the Kusatsu five-day Shinjuku direct-bus cost for this move.
Kusatsu three-bath ticket price, one visit each, validity and on-site salesJR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three-consecutive-day validityJR Tokyo Wide Pass conditions: JR bus exclusion and reserved seats
Gunma official tourism: Takasaki, Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and Kusatsu accessJR Bus Kusatsu and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi outward and return services, dates and boarding conditionsGunma official tourism: Kusatsu access from Takasaki, station names and Wide Pass bus exclusion
Frequently asked questions
Is the former Inoue residence interior open throughout museum hours?
Interior opening is divided into 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–16:00. This differs from Takasaki City Museum of Art’s exhibition hours; choose one window for the residence. Five days A visits the interior in the afternoon before returning by train from Takasaki. Human Figure, 10 October–13 December 2026, costs JPY 300 with residence admission included; recheck fees and closures for other exhibitions.
Can one Tokyo Wide Pass cover five days in Takasaki?
The pass is valid for three consecutive days from the chosen start date. Starting on day one excludes the day-five Tokyo return. Official routes include JR East and Joshin Railway, but Gururin buses, attractions and daruma painting cost extra. It is for foreign nationals with non-Japanese passports, without a Temporary Visitor requirement. The adult price is JPY 16,000. This route’s ordinary Tokyo–Takasaki return costs JPY 4,180, so compare any additional travel before choosing the pass for savings. Compare actual sections and dates if adding Shinkansen or other journeys.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three-consecutive-day validityJR pass purchase, eligibility, passport and Temporary Visitor exceptionJR 2026 revised fares
When should I start a pass for one Kusatsu night during five days in Tokyo?
Choose three consecutive days covering both the Kusatsu outward journey and next-day Tokyo return. Starting on day one excludes day-five return rail travel. Compare other rail journeys alongside the Kusatsu return before choosing ordinary tickets or a pass. JR buses, accommodation, meals and baths cost extra in either option; obtain reserved-seat tickets beforehand if using reserved seats.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass official coverage mapJR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three-consecutive-day validityJR Bus route guidanceTourism guidanceJR Tokyo Wide Pass conditions: JR bus exclusion and reserved seatsJR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal and Yubatake access
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Current Kannonyama route 14 outward timetable ·
- Current Kannonyama route 13 return timetable ·
- Gururin basic and JPY 100 section fares ·
- Kannonyama walking map ·
- Byakue Dai-Kannon interior admission and seasonal hours ·
- Silk mill access ·
- JR 2026 revised fares ·
- Joshu-Tomioka fares ·
- Yubatake Souan walking access from terminal ·
- Yubatake Souan check-in, luggage and breakfast FAQ ·
- JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetables ·
- October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar ·
- Shinjuku fourth-floor guidance ·
- Performance and ticketing conditions ·
- Outdoor bath fees and hours ·
- Outdoor bath walk, lockers and facilities FAQ ·
- Park walking reference ·
- Current Gozanoyu fees and lounge ·
- Gozanoyu lockers, towels and facilities FAQ ·
- Official visiting guidance ·
- Tourism guidance ·
- JR Bus route guidance ·
- Otakinoyu fees and operation ·
- Otakinoyu walking access and lockers ·
- Otakinoyu official English name ·
- Otakinoyu access ·
- Tourism association Nettaiken fees, operation and walking access ·
- 2025 revised Shorinzan timetable and west-side stand 4 ·
- 2025 revised Gunma-no-Mori timetable ·
- Current Gunma-no-Mori route 9 timetable ·
- Current Shorinzan return route 2 timetable ·
- History museum’s 2026 special exhibition and fees ·
- History museum access and facilities ·
- Modern art museum’s 2026 collection and fees ·
- Modern art museum access and return bus timetables ·
- Takasaki City Museum of Art Human Figure and fees ·
- Takasaki City Museum of Art access and operation ·
- Daruma painting registration, prices and reservations ·
- Shorinzan Somon, stairs and activity venue layout ·
- History museum’s 2026 opening calendar ·
- Gunma official tourism: ordinary worship at Shorinzan ·
- Gunma official tourism: west-side stand 4 and walking access ·
- JR East station and route timetables for visiting date ·
- Kusatsu three-bath ticket price, one visit each, validity and on-site sales ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three-consecutive-day validity ·
- JR pass purchase, eligibility, passport and Temporary Visitor exception ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass official coverage map ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass conditions: JR bus exclusion and reserved seats ·
- JR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal and Yubatake access ·
- History museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditions ·
- Modern art museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditions ·
- Gunma official tourism: Takasaki, Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and Kusatsu access ·
- JR Bus Kusatsu and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi outward and return services, dates and boarding conditions ·
- Gunma official tourism: Kusatsu access from Takasaki, station names and Wide Pass bus exclusion ·