The JR Joetsu Shinkansen connects Tokyo with Jomo Kogen Station at least once per hour. The one way trip takes around 70 minutes and costs about 6000 yen. From Jomo Kogen Station transfer to a bus for Minakami Station (25 minutes, 720 yen) or another destination in the Minakami area. The shinkansen ride is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass, however the bus ride is not.
Take the JR Takasaki Line from Tokyo (e.g. Tokyo or Ueno station) to Takasaki Station (two hours, 2-3 trains per hour) and transfer to the JR Joetsu Line to Minakami Station (one hour, hourly). The entire one way trip takes about three hours and costs 3190 yen.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Minakami is a spread out town that covers a large area in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture. At its center is Minakami Station which acts as the transportation hub with bus connections to Mount Tanigawa, Takaragawa Onsen and Jomo Kogen Station.
The Joetsu Shinkansen stops at Jomo Kogen Station, a 20 minute bus ride outside of the town center. The shinkansen station serves as a secondary transportation hub for the area with bus connections to Minakami Station, Takumi no Sato, Sarugakyo Onsen and nearby Numata City.
Alternatively, a rental car is recommended, as public transportation around Minakami can be rather infrequent or inconvenient and the town's attractions are quite spread out. Rental cars are available around Jomo Kogen, Shibukawa and Takasaki stations.
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