Minakami or Minakami Machi is a resort city and mountain space in Gunma prefecture. It’s greatest generally known as being the journey capital of Japan, with varied outside actions for each season.
Situated just some hours northwest of Tokyo, it appears like 1,000,000 miles away with a really completely different vibe from the brilliant lights of town.
Minakami is ready on the supply of Tone River, recognized for its thrilling whitewater rafting in Spring. Summer season and Autumn within the space deliver hotter climate for climbing, canyoning, and taking within the unbelievable mountain views. In winter, it’s house to world-class snowboarding with one of many longest-running snow seasons within the nation.
We visited Minakami throughout our current journey to Japan and obtained an opportunity to pattern just some of the journey actions on this area. Provided that Minakami gives virtually each kind of journey, it’s a must-visit area for any journey junkie (or journey softie) planning a go to to Japan.
Minakami, Gunma Prefecture
Get to Minakami
Minakami is positioned 150km (93.2 miles) northwest of Tokyo. You’ll be able to attain it by automobile in simply 2.5 hours. In any other case, there are lots of public transport choices, together with practice and bus. The journey to Minakami by public transit can take between 2-3 hours.
JR Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet practice) runs from Tokyo to Jomo Kogen Station with day by day departures no less than as soon as per hour. A method journey takes round 70 minutes and prices about 5500 yen. From Jomo Kogen Station, you’ll need to take a 30-minute bus or switch to succeed in Minakami Station or one other vacation spot within the Minakami space.
JR Takasaki Line (native practice) runs from Tokyo to Takasaki Station with the journey taking round two hours. From Takasaki, you’ll have to switch to the JR Joetsu Line and take the practice for one more hour to succeed in Minakami Station.
Minakami, Gunma
Greatest Time to Go to Minakami
One of the best time to go to Minakami extremely will depend on what you propose on doing within the space. It’s house to journey actions in each season, so that you’ll by no means choose a nasty time to go to.
Minakami is thought for its lengthy ski season, lasting from early December to early Might. Exterior of those months, the area is right for climbing, mountain biking and white water rafting.
Spring (March-Might) is greatest for rafting down the raging Tone River after the snowmelt. Whereas Summer season (June-August) and Autumn (September-November) are one of the best occasions for climbing and exploring the mountains by bike.
High Adventures in Minakami
It’s no shock that Minakami is the last word journey capital in Japan. There are such a lot of actions to select from, together with rafting, climbing and snowboarding. Whereas we didn’t get an opportunity to strive all of them throughout our go to, we needed to compile a complete information that will help you plan your personal journey within the area.
Listed here are one of the best experiences to have in Minakami:
Canyoning
Initially is canyoning! Minakami is the epicentre of canyoning in Japan. The truth is, the very first canyoning excursions began in Minakami again in 1998. Since then, the area has grown into one of many largest canyoning locations not simply in Japan however on the earth.
A number of firms provide canyoning excursions in Minakami, however not all have the identical security requirements and credibility. One of the best and most respected of all of them is Canyons, the oldest operator on the town. The corporate gives canyoning experiences, rafting adventures, climbing, and extra.
In relation to canyoning itself, there are a number of canyoning programs to select from, relying in your desired thrill degree. Fox Canyon, the course we skilled throughout our go to, is a half-day journey and the right introduction to the world of canyoning. The course was straightforward sufficient to be completely appropriate for inexperienced persons (and adaptable for actual scaredy cats), with a bit of dose of thrill to provide you that buzzing feeling on the finish.
Skilled canyoners can strive their hand at Willow Canyon, a extra technical route with tougher sections and many extra thrill.
On the finish of our canyoning journey
Rafting on the Tone River
With over 12 km (7.5 miles) of whitewater for a half-day journey or over 25 km (15.5 miles) on a full-day journey, this is without doubt one of the final thrill-seekers’ experiences in Minakami.
Rafting excursions are additionally provided at Canyons and will be booked by way of their web site or on the Canyons base in Minakami. All excursions go by way of three unbelievable gorge sections and provide loads of thrill. Quieter river sections are stuffed with chatter, with the guides sharing many insights concerning the city and its historical past.
In the event you’re visiting within the Spring, put together for some world-class grade 4+ rapids. In the event you choose one thing extra mellow, go to within the Summer season when the water ranges are larger and the rapids are categorized as class 2.
Gorgeous backdrop whereas rafting with Canyons in Minakami. Photograph courtesy of Canyons
Climbing round Mt Tanigawa
Mount Tanigawa (1,977 m / 6,486 ft) is the best mountain within the Tanigawa mountain vary straddling Gunma and Niigata prefectures. Identified for its dramatic climate adjustments, Mount Tanigawa is coated in snow for round half of the yr and is a well-liked snowboarding space.
Nonetheless, from July till November, it transforms into top-of-the-line climbing locations in Minakami.
You’ll be able to choose to journey up the Tanigawadake Ropeway, which can get you up the aspect of the mountain to Tenjindaira at 1,319 meters (4,327 ft). From right here, you may get pleasure from panoramic views throughout the world and embark on a two-hour hike to the summit. You’ll be able to both return the identical method or proceed for one more six hours or so into Niigata.
Autumn, particularly in mid-October, brings fall colors because the leaves change within the surrounding valleys and is essentially the most lovely time for climbing round this space.
Ropeway to Mt Tanigawa
SUPing
If white water rafting appears too intense, you may strive the extra stress-free exercise of stand-up paddleboarding or SUPing. Absorb the pristine waters and untouched surrounding forests as you gently float alongside the water.
You’ll be able to be part of a tour or hire a SUP board and float on the artifical lakes of Lake Naramata or Lake Akaya. Nonetheless, you’ll want a allow for Lake Naramata, so becoming a member of a tour is extra handy.
Bungee Leaping
To see the Tone River from a distinct perspective, strive bungee leaping from the Suwakyo Bridge, towering 42 meters (138 ft) above the water. Bungy Japan is without doubt one of the longest-running bungy operators within the nation, so you understand you’re in protected arms — the primary soar prices round 12,000 yen.
Suwakyo Bridge is positioned only a 5-minute drive out of Minakami city or in 10 minutes by bus from Jomo-Kogen or Minakami stations.
Bungee leaping bridge in Minakami
Winter Actions
As talked about earlier than, Minakami is house to a wide range of winter actions, with a number of world-class ski resorts within the space.
The Tanigawadake Tenjindaira Ski Resort caters to inexperienced persons and intermediates with an abundance of powder snow, however the true draw for consultants is the world-class backcountry snowboarding alternatives.
The extra built-up Minakami Kogen Ski Resort caters to households, inexperienced persons, and intermediates. Most of the resort’s ski slopes are mellow and are nice for snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
Norn Minakami Ski Resort is without doubt one of the closest ski fields to Tokyo, which implies that is usually one of many busiest. It’s fashionable for snowboarding, snowboarding and even night time snowboarding, with illuminated slopes on weekends.
Winter in Minakami, Gunma
Winter on the slopes in Minakami
Different Issues to Do in Minakami
In the event you’ve outdone your urge for food for journey and are on the lookout for different extra chill issues to do within the area, then listed here are some options.
Glamping at Canyons
Minakami Riverside Oasis Glamping is ideally positioned on the entrance to Joshinetsu Nationwide Park and is the right place to spend just a few stress-free nights within the area.
Designed as a haven retreat after a day of adventures, it is a good spot to base your self whereas exploring the canyons, rafting down rivers or bungee leaping. The resort has a really social vibe with a hostel really feel however gives non-public lodging. You select from cozy riverside safari tents or smaller bell-shaped tents. Rest room and bathe amenities are shared, and meals are served on the on-site bar and restaurant. They’ve a cool DIY BBQ set on provide, so you may cook dinner up your personal meal and eat it whereas sitting by the hearth having fun with a panorama of stars.
The glamping resort usually performs host to concert events, occasions and different actions, making it a hub of exercise within the area.
Riverside glamping tents at Canyons
Contained in the river tents at Canyons
Keep at Hoshi Onsen Chojukan
For one thing a bit extra conventional and complex, contemplate spending an evening or two on the Hoshi Onsen Chojukan Ryokan. Situated by the Hoshi River, this superbly designed conventional Japanese-style lodge is surrounded by nature. It’s positioned only a kilometre (0.6 miles) from Akasawa Ski Space and 21 km (13 miles) from Jomokogen practice station.
The big rooms characteristic tatami (woven-straw) flooring, futons and conventional short-legged eating tables. Some rooms provide balconies, fireplaces and river views.
The outstanding characteristic of the ryokan is their lovely communal sizzling springs (onsen). With 3 completely different onsens on web site, there is a chance to soak in a wide range of settings, starting from conventional wood baths to new fashionable baths providing beautiful views of the gardens.
The means onsite are one other spotlight, with improbable kaiseki, a standard Japanese meal on provide nightly. It’s an extremely particular place to spend an evening or two in Minakami.
Hoshi Onsen Chojukan Ryokan
One of many 3 lovely onsens at Hoshi Onsen Chojukan Ryokan
Soak at Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku
Situated about 27 km (16.7 miles) north of Minakami, this serene sizzling spring lodge is one other fashionable place to spend the day. There are indoor and outside onsens dotted alongside the riverbank and spacious mixed-gender baths on provide. Bathing fits are allowed at Takaragawa Onsen, a rarity in Japan however an incredible spot for a extra modest traveller to get a style of onsen tradition in Japan.
Gaze on the autumn leaves or watch the snow falling as you loosen up within the sizzling waters. The lodge additionally has a restaurant that makes a speciality of mountain delicacies, together with domestically caught river fish and mountain greens.
Discover Takuminosato
Situated exterior of Minakami on the way in which to Akaya Lake is the charming city of Takuminosato. This city is nice to discover on a motorbike, with streets lined with arts and crafts outlets, eating places and occasional outlets.
You’ll be able to hire a motorbike on the town and spend the day biking round. Pop into outlets, take part in artwork and craft experiences (there are heaps available on a walk-in foundation) or search for distinctive Japanese crafts and souvenirs on the market. You’ll discover all the pieces from bamboo objects to Japanese washi paper artwork.
Inside a craft workshop in Takuminosato
Is Minakami Price a Go to?
Minakami is the last word outside journey playground in Japan. House to a number of the nation’s greatest ski resorts, raging rivers, and spectacular mountains, the recent spring resort city gives limitless alternatives for outside actions.
From thrilling experiences like whitewater rafting and bungee leaping to climbing up mountains and soaking in sizzling springs amongst the forest, it’s straightforward to see why it’s turn out to be a preferred weekend vacation spot for Tokyo residents and overseas guests alike.
If you wish to uncover a distinct aspect of Japan, a Minakami journey is certainly price it.
Disclaimer: Our go to to Minakami was made doable courtesy of Kodo Journey and Gunma Prefecture. However as all the time, all opinions expressed on this article are our personal.