Last updated: March 18, 2025
Tanigawa is a beautiful mountainous area with popular hiking trails, a ski resort, and a charming onsen town. Tanigawa is easy to access by train and bus from Tokyo.
Mt. Tanigawa is accessible by train and bus in less than 2 hours from Tokyo, via Jomo-Kogen Station. From Jomo-Kogen, take a bus to Tanigawadake Joch (Tanigawadake Ropeway Station), and enjoy a scenic ride up the mountain.
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.
Jomo-Kogen Station is the gateway to northwest Gunma. You can reach the station in around 70 minutes on the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo. The Tone Numata Tourist Information Center is located inside Jomo-Kogen Station, and the Minakami Town Tourism Association is near the east exit of the station. At these facilities, you can store luggage and buy the Minakami Area Pass which can be used for buses in the Minakami area.
Actual design may differ from the image shown.
Take a Minakami Line bus (Kan-etsu Transportation) bound for Tanigawadake Joch (Tanigawadake Ropeway Station) from Bus Stop 1 in front of Jomo-Kogen Station. Some buses terminate at Minakami Station, so be sure to check before boarding the bus. The bus is covered by the Minakami Area Pass. If you do not have a pass, you can pay the fare in cash or with a transportation IC card as you exit the bus. The trip takes about 45 minutes.
The Tanigawadake Joch ropeway will whisk you up the side of Mt. Tanigawa to Tenjindaira Station at 1,319 meters, where you can enjoy panoramic views across the area.
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. You can use the Minakami Area Pass for unlimited travel on buses in Minakami for 3 days. You can buy the pass at Tone Numata Tourist Information Center and the Minakami Tourism Association. 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
・Information on the Minakami Area Pass
Save time and purchase train tickets and passes, and reserve seats online, before you travel.
Tanigawa Onsen is an ideal base for exploring the area. Find a wide range of accommodation options in Tanigawa and nearby Minakami, from luxury onsen resorts to charming, traditional inns.
