Nikko to Minakami - taxi or bus option?

Hi JPGuiders!

In my upcoming trip I'd like to visit Minakami and take in some hot springs. Does anyone know of a bus route? We would be travelling in June so road closure is no issue, we just don't want to travel back to Saitama to change over when there may be a more direct way.

If there is a bus, can you please direct me to booking and price info also?

Thanks!

There is no direct public transportation between Minakami and Nikko. But it is not necessary to travel quite as far as via Saitama. Still it is a big detour versus taking the direct road through the mountains. The best route is usually by the JR Joetsu Line to JR Shin-Maebashi, then the JR Ryomo Line to Tochigi and then the Tobu Line to Nikko. It takes under 4 hours.

Thanks so much, Uji! I think we will just use the Tobu line Asakusa - Tobu Nikko and not worry about getting the JR Kanto pass. The extra travelling around doesn't suit my relaxed pace, so I won't get good value from it unless I move more than I'd like to.

While I'm here I'd just like to say a big THANK YOU! You've been here since I planned my first trip back in '07, and through many trips and some time living in Osaka, and you're always a wealth of information! Thank you again, Uji.