Minakami
Discover Minakami
Minakami (水上) is a town in Gunma prefecture. The town, which includes Minakami Hot Spring Village, commands superb views of Mt. Tanigawa, Mt. Hotaka, and Mt. Shibutsu. Adventurous visitors can enjoy outdoor sports such as rafting. But if you plan to do some mountain-climbing during your visit, be aware that Mt. Tanigawa has the Guinness world record for the most deaths while climbing! Tenjindaira, or Tenjin Temple, is renowned for receiving massive amounts of snow, and during the 2014-2015 season it scored 17 metres of snow! Tenjin Daira is an old Japanese word meaning “powder paradise”. OK, maybe that’s not quite a literal translation, but “tenjin” does refer to the God of the Sky and Weather, and Mt. Tanigawa's Tenjin Temple certainly gets the weather in full force – all that snow doesn’t come from out of the blue!
Taste of Minakami...
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Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe centrally-located JR Minakami Station is on the JR Joetsu Line, between Takasaki to the south and Echigo-Yuzawa to the north. Jomo-Kogen Station is on the Joetsu Shinkansen line, but it's only served by the all-stops Tanigawa. Kanetsu Kotsu buses run about every hour from Jomo-kogen (上毛高原) station to the city center, taking 25 min and ¥620. If you want to do the whole route by train, allow at least 2hr 15min from Tokyo. Take a Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Takasaki or Echigo-Yuzawa (which offers the shortest transfer varies). Then transfer to Joetsu Line (standard line) to Minakami Station. Minakami Station is the final stop. Mount Tanigawa, also known as Tanigawa-dake, is one of Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains. On the border between the Gunma and Niigata Prefectures in northern Minakami, the mountain sits right at where the weather systems from the Asian continent and the Pacific meet, often colliding in severe storms....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Mount Tanigawa, also known as Tanigawa-dake, is one of Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains. On the border between the Gunma and Niigata Prefectures in northern Minakami, the mountain sits right at where the weather systems from the Asian continent and the Pacific meet, often colliding in severe storms. Notorious for its nasty weather and chest-deep snow, the mountain affords wonderful panoramic views of Gunma and an abundance of flora. Tanigawadake Ropeway is at the end of Japan National Route 291. The journey is around 1,400 metres, crossing Doaiguchi station and Tenjintaira station. The first peak you’ll see is called Tomanomimi (トマノ耳), while the higher peak is called Okinomimi (オキノ耳). After scaling the two peaks, you can continue traversing along the ridge or go back the same way you came. There are only two other ways off the mountain. The first one is to take the trail leading away from the [Kuma-ana?] hut.
Money & Budget
Most stores and businesses can't accept foreign cards, so it is best to carry at least enough cash for a few days. Most foreigner bank cards/debit cards can be used withdraw money from ATMs, which can be found at 24/7 convenience stores such as 7-11, FamilyMart, et cetera. These ATMs have several languages to choose from, including English.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Minakami
Car with snow background
Ski lift at Okutone Ski Resort in Minakami, Gunma
House in Mountain
Car with snow background
Ski lift at Okutone Ski Resort in Minakami, Gunma
House in Mountain
Car with snow background
Ski lift at Okutone Ski Resort in Minakami, Gunma
House in Mountain
Car with snow background
Ski lift at Okutone Ski Resort in Minakami, Gunma
House in Mountain
Car with snow background