Article of this trip can be found here.
Times and other information are based on the timetable at the time of the visit.
Day 1
Tokyo 1340 (Toki 323) > Jomo Kogen 1443
Jomo Kogen Station 1450 (bus) > Yubiso Onsen Town 1523
Overnight stay: Yubinoso Onsen Nakaya
Tips for Day 1
– It takes about 1 hour from Tokyo to Jomo Kogen by Shinkansen. The time required is not much different from taking the Chuo Line to Mt. Takao, but there are reserved seats on Shinkansen and it is comfortable. The double-decker Shinkansen, which I used to hate because of my claustrophobia, has been eliminated, and current train even has GranClass option if you want. Mt. Tanigawa has a strong image of accidents related to rock climbing in the past, but there is also a ropeway, so it actually has an easy access.
– The buses between Jomo Kogen Station and Tanigawadake Ropeway are easy to use, which is surprising considering the numbers of trains available on the Joetsu Line especially north of Minakami.
– As I wrote in my previous blog, the Western-style food at “Nakaya” is excellent. For an extra charge, you can order carrot soup for dinner, which was also excellent. It would be best if they had a half bottle of wine on the liquor menu.
Day 2
Yubiso Onsen Town 0909 (bus) > Tanigawa-dake Ropeway 0920
– Ropeway to Tenjin Pass for trekking
Tanigawadake Ropeway 1120 (bus) > Minakami Station 1143
Lunch: Soba Restaurant Kubota
Minakami Station 1248 (bus) > Jomo Kogen Station 1313
Jomo Kogen 1325 (Toki 320) > Omiya 1403
Omiya > Yokohama
Tips for Day 2
– I was able to take an earlier bus than expected from Mt. Tanigawa ropeway, so I tried to change my return Shinkansen one train ahead, but it was fully booked due to the summer vacation period. To kill time, I got off the bus halfway and went to a soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant in front of Minakami Station. The lady in the hall was wonderful.
– I was back home when I noticed that there was a cafe at Doai Station, where is famous for its tunnel.