Last updated: October 10, 2024
This beautiful mountainous area is on the border of Gunma and Tochigi prefectures. Mt. Nikko-Shirane (2,578 m) is the tallest mountain in the Kanto area. In winter, Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort operates courses for all levels. In the warmer months, the area is popular for hiking. The Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway operates year-round. Access the area by train and bus or winter highway bus services from Tokyo.
Mt. Nikko-Shirane is accessible by train and bus in around 3 hours from Tokyo via Jomo-Kogen Station. From Jomo-Kogen, take a bus to Kamata in Katashina Village, then on to the Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway.
You can board Hokuriku and Joetsu shinkansen services at Tokyo Station.
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Joetsu Shinkansen trains from Tokyo Station reach Jomo-Kogen Station in around 70 minutes. The train fare is covered by various Japan Rail Passes.
This station in the Minakami area is a stop on the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo and is a gateway to northeastern Gunma. Buses to Kamata stop in front of the east exit of the station. There is a tourist information center near the east exit.
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Take a Kamata Line bus (Kan-etsu Transportation) to Kamata Bus Stop. The trip takes around 90 minutes. Timetables for the bus services may differ between summer and winter.
This convenient transfer point is in Katashina Village. There is a Kan-etsu Transportation office at the stop, with public restrooms. There are shops and restaurants nearby.
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Board a Kan-etsu Transportation bus bound for Yumoto Onsen, and get off at the Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway bus stop (around 20 minutes).
From the bus stop, it’s about 5 minutes on foot to the Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway ticket office. Take the ropeway to the top station for views of the summit of Mt. Nikko-Shirane. There is a restaurant, observation decks, and hiking trails.
During the winter ski season, there are direct highway bus services from Takasaki and Shinjuku to Roadside Station Oze Katashina, where you can connect to a shuttle bus to the ski resorts including Marunuma Kogen Ski Area. From there you can take the Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway for the long cruiser runs. Take a Katashina Takasaki Snow Liner bus from Takasaki Station to Roadside Station Oze Katashina, then transfer to a shuttle bus. From Tokyo, the Katashina Snow Express bus departs from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal. The trip from Takasaki takes around 3 hours, and from Tokyo it takes around 4 hours.
You can board Hokuriku and Joetsu shinkansen services at Tokyo Station.
Actual design may differ from the image shown.
Shinkansen trains from Tokyo Station reach Takasaki Station in under 1 hour. The train fare is covered by various Japan Rail Passes.
Takasaki is a stop on the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, and the gateway to Gunma: trains and buses depart from Takasaki Station to destinations across Gunma.
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The Katashina Takasaki Snow Liner (Kan-etsu Transportation) usually runs every day from Takasaki Station during the peak winter ski season (late December through early January), then on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays until mid-March. The bus departs from the east exit of Takasaki Station and reaches Roadside Station Oze Katashina in less than 2 hours. When reserving a seat on the bus, be sure to select Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort for your final destination. A free shuttle bus will take you from the roadside station to Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway.
This modern rest area has a restaurant, restrooms, an observation deck, a produce market and a free onsen foot bath. In winter, free shuttle buses take guests to the nearby snow resorts (prior reservations required).
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If you select Marunuma Kogen Ski Resort when reserving the express bus, the ski resort shuttle bus will pick you up at Roadside Station Oze Katashina. The transfer is free. There are several resorts in the area, so be sure to choose Marunuma Kogen.
The shuttle bus takes passengers near the Mt. Nikko-Shirane Ropeway ticket office. Take the ropeway to the top station for mountain views. There is a restaurant, observation decks, and a variety of ski courses.
You can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Pass, and other JR passes for trains on this route. However, bus fares must be paid separately. There are many passes and travel combinations to discover, so use the links below to find your ideal travel plan.
・JR East Pass
・JR Tokyo Wide Pass
・Japan Rail Pass
・JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
Save time and purchase train tickets and passes, and reserve seats online, before you travel.
You can buy tickets for the Katashina Snow Express buses from Kan-etsu Transportation online.
There is a variety of accommodation options in the Oze area, ranging from modern ski resorts to traditional onsen inns.
