Anime Museums

Hello,

I can't seem to find much information regarding the new "Omocha no Machi Bandai Museum" that just opened this April:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandai_Museum

How much and how long does it take to travel to its location (Mibu, Tochigi)? Does the JR pass cover its fair? Is there a complete map somewhere so I can get an idea on where it is located with respect from Tokyo?

Sorry for all the questions but I can't read the offical website since it is only in Japanese..

I was also wondering the same thing for the Toei Animation Gallery since I can't find a map with its location from Tokyo either.

The Suginami Animation Museum also looked good but there does not seem to be an efficient route/bus that brings you from one to the other (they don't seem that far apart by car/taxi but I might be wrong).

Any input would be greately appreciated. Thanks!

The Bandai Museum can be accessed in a 10 minute walk from Omochanomachi Station on the Tobu Utsunomiya Line. YOu can use the Japan Rail Pass on the shinkansen to Utsunomiya (50 minutes), but have to pay separately for the 15 minute ride on the Tobu train (240 Yen). You can look up timetables here:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

Here is the access information in Japanese:
http://www.bandai-museum.jp/goriyou/index.html

Details about the Toei Animation Gallery are here:
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/spot/nerima2.html

And the Suginami one:
http://www.sam.or.jp/flier.htm

Thank you so much for the information!

So basically Utsunomiya would be the fastest route with a JR-Pass.
Is there a Tobu bus that connects Utsunomiya to tobu-Utsunomiya station?

Speaking about buses in Tobu, does a Suica/Passmo card work for buses in Tobu?

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html
was vague about which buses it covers for the Tokyo region (ex: Are Nikko, Hakone and Kamakura buses also included?)

From what it states, I would assume the prepaid cards can also pay for train lines such as Tobu-Nikko, Utsunomiya, Enoden & Odakyu, correct?

I know this is getting a bit off topic but are there any city bus maps or cards for the greater Tokyo region?

I just think it is odd that the Utsunomiya and tobu-Utsunomiya stations are a 30 mins walk apart with no bus to connect them.

At least if there was a detailed map of Utsunomiya so I would know what direction to go from one station to another.

I *REALLY* want to see the Bandai museum but getting there seems difficult (their previous location in Chiba looked much more accessible...)

Is there a Tobu bus that connects Utsunomiya to tobu-Utsunomiya station?

No, it seems that Utsunomiya is mainly served by a different bus company, Kanto Bus.

Speaking about buses in Tobu, does a Suica/Passmo card work for buses in Tobu?

Some yes, some no. Not the entire Tobu Bus network is covered yet. For example, it seems that the Tobu buses in Nikko cannot be used with Suica/Pasmo yet.

Are Nikko, Hakone and Kamakura buses also included?

Many bus companies have just started to introduce Suica/Pasmo to their buses. In both, Kamakura and Hakone, some lines are already equipped with card readers, while others are not yet.

I would assume the prepaid cards can also pay for train lines such as Tobu-Nikko, Utsunomiya, Enoden & Odakyu, correct?

Yes.