Four Days in Gunma: Paint a Daruma or Visit Three Baths?
Add hands-on daruma painting at Shorinzan to the Takasaki cultural itinerary. About 200 steps lead to the workshop, so consider whether the climb and descent suit you. For a bathing-focused stay, visit Gozanoyu, Otakinoyu, and Sainokawara on different days in Kusatsu. Return from the cultural itinerary by Tokyo-bound train after the modern art museum, or from Kusatsu by Shinjuku direct bus after the final bath.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days, 3 nights
Kannonyama, Daruma Painting, History, and Modern Art
Add Shorinzan daruma painting between the Byakui Daikannon and the history and modern art museums. Use Takasaki as your base for sightseeing and a hands-on activity.
Kannonyama, Daruma Painting, History, and Modern Art →4 days, 3 nights BKusatsu's Three Baths on Different Days
Enjoy yumomi and Gozanoyu, Otakinoyu, and Sainokawara Open-Air Bath on different days. Take time for bathing and rest at one facility at a time.
Kusatsu's Three Baths on Different Days →Kannonyama, Daruma Painting, History, and Modern Art
Add Shorinzan daruma painting between the Byakui Daikannon and the history and modern art museums. Use Takasaki as your base for sightseeing and a hands-on activity.
Day 1 · Byakui Daikannon at Kannonyama
Arrive in Takasaki and visit the Kannon statue and surrounding temple grounds.
- Tokyo Station and Takasaki Station → Byakui Kannon-mae
From Tokyo Station, take a Takasaki-bound regular JR train on the Takasaki Line route. At Takasaki Station's west exit boarding point 8, take Gururin Kannonyama route 14 via Kataoka and get off at Byakui Kannon-mae. Use official searches to choose a through train and round-trip buses for your date.
JR East station and route timetables for your dateKannonyama route 14: current outbound timetable
- Byakui Kannon-mae → Byakui Daikannon
From the stop, follow the path beside Daishido up to the statue. If climbing the interior stairs is difficult, choose a walk around the grounds. Interior visiting hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. March–October and 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. November–February.
Kannonyama walking mapByakui Daikannon interior admission and seasonal hours
- Byakui Daikannon → Takasaki Station
Walk back down the same way and take Gururin route 13 toward Takasaki Station's west exit from Byakui Kannon-mae. Distinguish outbound route 14 from return route 13, then finish the day with dinner near the station.
Kannonyama route 13: current return timetableKannonyama route 14: current outbound timetable
Day 2 · Paint a Daruma at Shorinzan
Explore the Daruma Hall and paint a daruma you choose.
- Takasaki Station west exit boarding point 4 → Shorinzan workshop
Take Gururin Shorinzan route 1 via Notsuke/Shorinzan and get off at Shorinzan Iriguchi. The temple is about five minutes from the stop; the upper workshop is roughly 200 additional steps beyond the main gate. If stairs are difficult, ask the facility about possible shuttle arrangements before booking.
Revised 2025 Shorinzan timetable and west boarding point 4Gunma official tourism: west boarding point 4 and walking accessShorinzan main gate, stairs, and workshop layoutDaruma painting reception, prices, and reservations
- Daruma Hall and painting workshop → Temple grounds and daruma painting
Look at the varied daruma in the hall, then paint one at the workshop. Painting takes about 30 minutes, excluding waiting. Individuals can join without reservations, but book ahead if you want a particular start time. The Daruma Hall opens 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Daruma painting reception, prices, and reservationsGunma official tourism: basic Shorinzan temple visitShorinzan main gate, stairs, and workshop layout
- Upper workshop and Shorinzan Iriguchi → Takasaki Station
Take your finished piece, descend through the main gate, and return to the stop. Take Gururin Shorinzan route 2 toward Takasaki Station's west exit, then have a meal. Allow time to descend the stairs when choosing your return bus.
Shorinzan return route 2: current timetableRevised 2025 Shorinzan timetable and west boarding point 4Shorinzan main gate, stairs, and workshop layout
Day 3 · History Exhibits at the Museum
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 toward Gendai/Motoshimana and get off at Gunma-no-Mori. Stay on the same bus when the route name changes at Watanukimachi; no transfer is needed. Follow the park map's signs for the history museum, about five minutes from the stop.
Gunma-no-Mori route 9: current timetableRevised 2025 Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and round-trip bus timetablesHistory museum 2026 special exhibition and admissionHistory museum access and facilities
- Gunma Prefectural Museum of History → Exhibitions for your date
Choose a history exhibition open on your date and check what the admission ticket includes. Special and permanent exhibitions may have different fees and ticket conditions. The museum opens 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Monday is the usual closing day; check the calendar for your date.
History museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditionsHistory museum access and facilitiesHistory museum 2026 opening calendar
- Gunma Prefectural Museum of History → Takasaki Station
After viewing, rest in the park, return to Gunma-no-Mori stop, and take route 9 toward Takasaki Station's east exit. Check outbound and return services separately in the official timetable. Eat near the station and rest.
Gunma-no-Mori route 9: current timetableRevised 2025 Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and round-trip bus timetables
Day 4 · Modern Art Collections
Visit the other cultural facility in Gunma-no-Mori park for Japanese and Western modern art.
- Takasaki Station east exit → Gunma-no-Mori and the Museum of Modern Art, Gunma
Take Gururin Gunma-no-Mori route 9 toward Gendai/Motoshimana and get off at Gunma-no-Mori. Stay on the same bus when the route name changes at Watanukimachi; no transfer is needed. Follow the park map's signs for the modern art museum.
Gunma-no-Mori route 9: current timetableRevised 2025 Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and round-trip bus timetablesModern art museum 2026 collection exhibition and admission
- Museum of Modern Art, Gunma → Exhibitions for your date
Check collection exhibitions and galleries open on your date. If a special exhibition is running, compare its admission and ticket coverage separately. The museum opens 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. Check the official calendar for Monday and public-holiday operations.
Modern art museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditionsModern art museum access and round-trip bus timetables
- Museum of Modern Art, Gunma → Takasaki Station and Tokyo Station
After viewing, rest in the park, return to Gunma-no-Mori stop, and take route 9 toward Takasaki Station's east exit. Check outbound and return services separately in the official timetable. At Takasaki, take a regular JR train toward Tokyo on the Takasaki Line route. Check through service to Tokyo and the terminus in your date's search.
Gunma-no-Mori route 9: current timetableRevised 2025 Gunma-no-Mori timetableModern art museum access and round-trip bus timetablesJR East station and route timetables for your dateJR revised 2026 fare information
Included: Regular JR train round trip ¥4,180 + Kannonyama buses and statue interior ¥700 + Shorinzan buses and 12 cm daruma painting ¥1,900 + history museum buses and special exhibition ¥1,400 + modern art museum buses and collection exhibition ¥700.
Separate Costs and Conditions: Lodging, meals, access to the departure station, luggage storage, and extra visits or activities are separate. Shinkansen, limited express, and Green Car travel are excluded.
Fares checked October 8, 2026. Exhibition budgets use the history museum's September 18–November 23 special exhibition and modern art museum's September 19–November 8 collection exhibition. Recheck admission for other exhibition periods.
JR revised 2026 fare informationByakui Daikannon interior admission and seasonal hoursHistory museum 2026 special exhibition and admissionModern art museum 2026 collection exhibition and admissionModern art museum access and round-trip bus timetablesDaruma painting reception, prices, and reservationsRevised 2025 Shorinzan timetable and west boarding point 4Gururin regular and ¥100-section fares
Kusatsu's Three Baths on Different Days
Enjoy yumomi and Gozanoyu, Otakinoyu, and Sainokawara Open-Air Bath on different days. Take time for bathing and rest at one facility at a time.
Day 1 · Arrive in Kusatsu and See Yumomi
Explore Yubatake at the heart of the hot-spring town and start with a performance.
- Busta Shinjuku fourth floor → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
Take your reserved Joshu Yumeguri direct bus. Book round-trip services for your date and check the departure display for the boarding location. Road delays are possible, so do not schedule a performance tightly after arrival.
Shinjuku bus terminal fourth-floor guideJR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetablesOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal → Yubatake and Netsunoyu
Walk from the terminal toward Yubatake for a meal and town exploration. Choose a Netsunoyu performance from the official calendar for your date and arrive for on-site ticket sales starting 30 minutes before the show. Advance reservations are not accepted; if sold out, choose another performance or day.
- Netsunoyu → Performance and Yubatake area
After the yumomi and dance performance, have dinner around Yubatake and rest. A separate hands-on yumomi activity differs from watching the performance.
Performance admission and ticket conditionsYubatake Souan: check-in, luggage, and morning FAQ
Day 2 · Relax at Gozanoyu's Indoor Baths
Take an unhurried day at the indoor bath and lounge beside Yubatake.
- Yubatake → Gozanoyu
Follow Gozanoyu signs on Yubatake's southwest side to the entrance. Choose it when you want an indoor bath with washing stations.
Gozanoyu current fees and loungeGozanoyu lockers, towels, and facility FAQ
- Gozanoyu entrance → Indoor bath and large lounge
Rest in the large lounge after bathing. April–November hours are 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., last entry 8:30 p.m.; the large lounge is available 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Paid private rooms are separate.
Gozanoyu current fees and loungeGozanoyu lockers, towels, and facility FAQ
- Gozanoyu → Yubatake area
There is no restaurant inside, so go out for a meal around Yubatake. This day leaves time for bathing and rest rather than rushing between other baths.
Day 3 · Choose Baths at Otakinoyu
Choose the large indoor or outdoor bath to suit your comfort, then rest.
- Yubatake → Otakinoyu
Follow facility signs to Otakinoyu. Official guidance gives about seven to eight minutes on foot from Yubatake; allow time for reception too.
- Otakinoyu entrance → Bathing and rest
Choose the large indoor or outdoor bath. There is no need to push yourself into the hot awaseyu baths. Otakinoyu opens 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., with last entry at 8:00 p.m. Rest afterward in the free shared lounge.
Otakinoyu fees and operationsOtakinoyu walking access and lockersOtakinoyu official English name
- Otakinoyu → Yubatake area
Walk back the same way for about seven to eight minutes to Yubatake for a meal. Choose paid private rooms or private baths separately if you want them.
Day 4 · Morning Outdoor Bath, Then Shinjuku
Relax in a spacious outdoor bath before leaving town. Choose morning bathing to suit your hotel's departure conditions.
- Yubatake → Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
Walk along Sainokawara Street and through the park to the outdoor bath. It is about 12 minutes from Yubatake; allow time for slopes and reception too.
Outdoor bath fees and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers, and facility FAQWalking reference within the park
- Outdoor bath entrance → Bathing and rest
April–November hours are 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., last entry 7:30 p.m. The outdoor bath has no washing stations, hair dryers, or towel rentals, so bring a towel. If winter's 9:00 a.m. opening conflicts with your hotel departure, bathe the previous day.
Outdoor bath fees and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers, and facility FAQWalking reference within the park
- Sainokawara Open-Air Bath → Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and Busta Shinjuku
Return to town by the same route, finish departure preparations, and go to the terminal. Take your reserved Shinjuku-bound Joshu Yumeguri bus. Allow for road delays before any booking soon after arrival in Shinjuku.
JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetablesOctober 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarYubatake Souan: walk from bus terminalYubatake Souan: check-in, luggage, and morning FAQ
Included: Shinjuku direct bus round trip ¥7,400 + yumomi performance ¥700 + outdoor bath ¥800 + Gozanoyu ¥900 + Otakinoyu ¥1,200 + paid lockers ¥300. The bus amount is an example October 2026 category C regular fare; recalculate for your date.
Separate Costs and Conditions: Lodging, meals, access to the departure station, luggage storage, and extra visits or activities are separate. Towels, private rooms, and private baths are excluded; no three-bath-ticket discount is applied.
Fares checked October 8, 2026. Bathing facilities use individual admission tickets.
October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendarPerformance admission and ticket conditionsOutdoor bath fees and hoursOutdoor bath walking access, lockers, and facility FAQGozanoyu current fees and loungeGozanoyu lockers, towels, and facility FAQOtakinoyu fees and operationsOtakinoyu walking access and lockers
Exhibition Dates and Itinerary Budgets
The two exhibitions below were running as of October 9, 2026 and are temporary. The same exhibits and prices do not apply outside their dates. For different visit dates, check new exhibitions, closures, and tickets before recalculating costs.
History museum: Noh-costume special exhibition
The 115th special exhibition, on Noh costumes revived in the modern era, runs September 18–November 23, 2026. Adult admission of ¥1,000 includes permanent exhibits. This itinerary's museum budget uses those conditions; distinguish it from ¥300 for permanent exhibits alone when no special exhibition runs.
History museum 2026 special exhibition and admissionHistory museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditions
Modern art museum: Japanese and Western Modern Art I
The September 19–November 8, 2026 collection exhibition runs in second-floor galleries 2 and 6. The ¥300 regular adult amount applies to this exhibition. Recheck admission and ticket coverage if displays change or you choose another special exhibition.
Modern art museum 2026 collection exhibition and admissionModern art museum: current exhibition period and visiting conditions
A Tomioka Day Trip While Staying in Takasaki
For industrial heritage, compare Tomioka Silk Mill with one exhibition day in the Takasaki cultural itinerary. Replace that day's destination instead of adding every attraction to the existing trip.
Round-trip Joshin Railway and a Walk to the Mill
From Takasaki Station's west side, take a local Joshin Railway train toward Shimonita and get off at Joshu-Tomioka. Walk about 15 minutes to the mill, then return to the same station for a Takasaki-bound train after viewing and lunch. The mill opens 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m., and closes December 29–31. Choose both train directions for your date.
Regular Tickets or the JR TOKYO Wide Pass
Adult Joshin Railway round-trip tickets of ¥1,620 plus mill admission of ¥1,000 total ¥2,620, excluding meals and the separate ¥200 guide. The JR TOKYO Wide Pass includes Joshin Railway but excludes mill admission. A ¥16,000 three-consecutive-day pass is not a saving for this round trip alone. If replacing an exhibition day, remove its exhibition and bus costs too rather than keeping the original itinerary total.
Joshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visiting informationJR TOKYO Wide Pass: routes, price, and three consecutive days
Silk mill accessJoshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visiting information
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paint a daruma at Shorinzan without a reservation?
Individual participants can join in arrival order without reservations; groups of ten or more must reserve. Reception runs 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., and reserved start times are 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. A 12 cm daruma costs ¥1,500 and a 15 cm one ¥2,000; this itinerary budgets the 12 cm option. Your booked time is arrival at the workshop, not the parking lot. Allow time for about 200 steps after the main gate and your return bus.
Daruma painting reception, prices, and reservationsShorinzan main gate, stairs, and workshop layoutRevised 2025 Shorinzan timetable and west boarding point 4
Can I use the Kusatsu three-bath ticket on different days?
The official ticket allows one visit each to Gozanoyu, Otakinoyu, and Sainokawara Open-Air Bath, with no expiry date. At ¥2,100 per adult, it costs ¥800 less than the ¥2,900 total for individual regular admission. Compare it when visiting all three. The ¥11,300 shown here includes individual bath tickets, round-trip Shinjuku direct buses, the yumomi performance, and ¥300 in paid lockers. With the three-bath ticket, replace ¥2,900 in bath admission with ¥2,100; do not add buses, performance, or lockers again. Lodging, meals, and towels are separate.
Kusatsu three-bath ticket: price, one visit each, validity, and on-site salesGozanoyu lockers, towels, and facility FAQOtakinoyu walking access and lockersOutdoor bath walking access, lockers, and facility FAQ
Should I fit all three baths into a Tokyo–Kusatsu day trip?
For a same-day rail-and-bus round trip, choose the return bus and train first. Fit a Yubatake walk and one bath to the time available, then compare a performance or another bath if time allows. The three-night Kusatsu itinerary here spreads the three facilities across different days. Check the chosen bath's hours too. JR bus fares and bath admission are separate from the rail pass.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass official coverage mapJR TOKYO Wide Pass: routes, price, and three consecutive daysJR Bus route informationTourism informationJR TOKYO Wide Pass conditions: JR buses excluded and reserved seatingJR East: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, bus terminal, and Yubatake access
Can I use the JR TOKYO Wide Pass from Takasaki to Tomioka?
The Joshin Railway Takasaki–Joshu-Tomioka segment is included. Silk-mill admission, guides, and meals are separate. The pass is valid for only three consecutive days, so check round-trip dates. For this segment alone, compare with the ¥1,620 adult regular-ticket round trip.
JR TOKYO Wide Pass: routes, price, and three consecutive daysJoshu-Tomioka faresOfficial visiting information
Official Sources and Check Dates
- Kannonyama route 14: current outbound timetable ·
- Kannonyama route 13: current return timetable ·
- Gururin regular and ¥100-section fares ·
- Kannonyama walking map ·
- Byakui Daikannon interior admission and seasonal hours ·
- Silk mill access ·
- JR revised 2026 fare information ·
- Joshu-Tomioka fares ·
- Yubatake Souan: walk from bus terminal ·
- Yubatake Souan: check-in, luggage, and morning FAQ ·
- JR Bus operator route hub and linked current timetables ·
- October 2026 Joshu Yumeguri fare calendar ·
- Shinjuku bus terminal fourth-floor guide ·
- Performance admission and ticket conditions ·
- Outdoor bath fees and hours ·
- Outdoor bath walking access, lockers, and facility FAQ ·
- Walking reference within the park ·
- Gozanoyu current fees and lounge ·
- Gozanoyu lockers, towels, and facility FAQ ·
- Official visiting information ·
- Tourism information ·
- JR Bus route information ·
- Otakinoyu fees and operations ·
- Otakinoyu walking access and lockers ·
- Otakinoyu official English name ·
- Otakinoyu access ·
- Revised 2025 Shorinzan timetable and west boarding point 4 ·
- Revised 2025 Gunma-no-Mori timetable ·
- Gunma-no-Mori route 9: current timetable ·
- Shorinzan return route 2: current timetable ·
- History museum 2026 special exhibition and admission ·
- History museum access and facilities ·
- Modern art museum 2026 collection exhibition and admission ·
- Modern art museum access and round-trip bus timetables ·
- Daruma painting reception, prices, and reservations ·
- Shorinzan main gate, stairs, and workshop layout ·
- History museum 2026 opening calendar ·
- Gunma official tourism: basic Shorinzan temple visit ·
- Gunma official tourism: west boarding point 4 and walking access ·
- JR East station and route 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 TOKYO Wide Pass official coverage map ·
- JR TOKYO Wide Pass conditions: JR buses excluded and reserved seating ·
- 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 ·