The easiest way to get around in Minakami is by car, but most major sights and attractions are accessible by a combination of trains and busses. If you decide to rent a car, it is advised to do so from the nearest airport in the vicinity. You can use our car rental widget in the FAQ menu below. 

Travelers can also opt to buy the following passes to get around:

• Minakami 3-day Bus Pass

  • Coverage: all local buses within Minakami (only available to foreign tourists)

  • Duration: 3 days

  • Price: 2100 Yen

  • Where to buy: Minakami Station

Public transportation:

To get from Tokyo to Minakami by public transportation, travellers have the following options:

• Option 1: Bullet Train: Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Jomo-Kogen Station. The total travel time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

• Option 2: Regular Train: Take the JR Joetsu Line from Ueno Station to Minakami Station. The total travel time is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Valid rail passes:

• Japan Rail Pass

• JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass

• JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass

• JR East Tohoku Area Pass

• JR Tokyo Wide Pass

Nearest airport: 

The nearest and most convenient airport is Haneda Airport in Tokyo. 

• by car: approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes

• by public transport: approximately 4 hours

• by bullet-train: approximately 2 hour and 20 minutes (bullet-train up until Jomo Kogen station)

Car rentals:

We recommend staying here for about two days.
 

The nearest and most convenient airport is Haneda Airport in Tokyo. 

• by car: approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes

• by public transport: approximately 4 hours

• by bullet-train: approximately 2 hour and 20 minutes (bullet-train up until Jomo Kogen station)

Fruit picking:

October, November and December are generally a great time to pick apples in Japan.

Adventure sports: 

Spring and Summer are usual the best seasons for kayaking, and wild water rafting in Japan. 

Scenic rides:

• Dragondola: click here to go to the official website

• Tanigawadake Ropeway: click here to go to the official website

• Tenjindaira Lift: click here to go to the official website

• Tashiro Ropeway: click here to go to the official website

Hiking:

The hiking season in this area typically runs from Summer until Autumn.

Winter sports:

Ski resorts in Japan typically run from January until April. Though this can differ from year to year, depending on the amount of snow.

• Kagura Snow Resorts: click here to go to the official website

• Naeba Ski Resort: click here to go to the official website

• Tanigawadake Tenjindaira: click here to go to the official website

There is one well-known festival in this area. Please be advised that the following info is based upon previous entries of the festival and that the dates might have changed for the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information. 
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For the exact location of the festival, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.

• Lake Akaya Fireworks Festival

  • Date: August 31st

  • Time: 20:00 - 21:00

We recommend the following options for staying connected in Japan:

• Sakura Mobile Travel Sim (data only)
• Sakura Mobile Travel Sim (data + voice)
• Sakura Mobile Unlimited Wifi / Pocket Wifi