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 numerous outside actions for each season.
Situated only a few hours northwest of Tokyo, it appears like one million miles away with a really totally different vibe from the brilliant lights of the town.
Minakami is about on the supply of Tone River, recognized for its thrilling whitewater rafting in Spring. Summer season and Autumn within the space carry hotter climate for mountaineering, canyoning, and taking within the unbelievable mountain views. In winter, it’s dwelling 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 only a few of the journey actions on this area. On condition that Minakami presents virtually each sort of journey, it’s a must-visit area for any journey junkie (or journey softie) planning a go to to Japan.
Minakami, Gunma Prefecture
How one can Get to Minakami
Minakami is situated 150km (93.2 miles) northwest of Tokyo. You possibly can attain it by automobile in simply 2.5 hours. In any other case, there are various 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 each day departures at the very least as soon as per hour. A technique journey takes round 70 minutes and prices about 5500 yen. From Jomo Kogen Station, you’ll must 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 must 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
The perfect time to go to Minakami extremely is determined by what you intend on doing within the space. It’s dwelling to journey actions in each season, so that you’ll by no means decide a foul 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 good for mountaineering, 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 the most effective occasions for mountaineering and exploring the mountains by bike.
High Adventures in Minakami
It’s no shock that Minakami is the final word journey capital in Japan. There are such a lot of actions to select from, together with rafting, mountaineering and snowboarding. Whereas we didn’t get an opportunity to attempt all of them throughout our go to, we wished to compile a complete information that will help you plan your personal journey within the area.
Listed below are the most effective experiences to have in Minakami:
Canyoning
Before everything 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 greatest canyoning locations not simply in Japan however on the planet.
A number of firms provide canyoning excursions in Minakami, however not all have the identical security requirements and credibility. The perfect and most respected of all of them is Canyons, the oldest operator on the town. The corporate presents canyoning experiences, rafting adventures, mountaineering, and extra.
In relation to canyoning itself, there are a number of canyoning programs to select from, relying in your desired thrill stage. Fox Canyon, the course we skilled throughout our go to, is a half-day journey and the proper 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 slightly dose of thrill to offer you that buzzing feeling on the finish.
Skilled canyoners can attempt their hand at Willow Canyon, a extra technical route with more difficult sections and lots 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 among the final thrill-seekers’ experiences in Minakami.
Rafting excursions are additionally supplied at Canyons and might be booked by means of their web site or on the Canyons base in Minakami. All excursions cross by means of three unbelievable gorge sections and provide loads of thrill. Quieter river sections are crammed 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 favor one thing extra mellow, go to within the Summer season when the water ranges are increased and the rapids are categorized as class 2.
Gorgeous backdrop whereas rafting with Canyons in Minakami. Photograph courtesy of Canyons
Mountain 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 modifications, Mount Tanigawa is coated in snow for round half of the 12 months and is a well-liked snowboarding space.
Nonetheless, from July till November, it transforms into probably the greatest mountaineering locations in Minakami.
You possibly can decide to experience up the Tanigawadake Ropeway, which can get you up the facet 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 possibly can both return the identical means 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 mountaineering round this space.
Ropeway to Mt Tanigawa
SUPing
If white water rafting appears too intense, you may attempt 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 possibly can be a 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, attempt bungee leaping from the Suwakyo Bridge, towering 42 meters (138 ft) above the water. Bungy Japan is among the longest-running bungy operators within the nation, so you realize you’re in secure palms — the primary soar prices round 12,000 yen.
Suwakyo Bridge is situated 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 dwelling 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 actual draw for specialists 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 among the closest ski fields to Tokyo, which implies that is typically 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 in search of different extra chill issues to do within the area, then listed here are some ideas.
Glamping at Canyons
Minakami Riverside Oasis Glamping is ideally situated on the entrance to Joshinetsu Nationwide Park and is the proper place to spend a number of 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 presents non-public lodging. You select from cozy riverside safari tents or smaller bell-shaped tents. Lavatory and bathe services 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 fireplace having fun with a panorama of stars.
The glamping resort typically performs host to live shows, 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 complicated, contemplate spending an evening or two on the Hoshi Onsen Chojukan Ryokan. Situated by the Hoshi River, this fantastically designed conventional Japanese-style resort is surrounded by nature. It’s situated only a kilometre (0.6 miles) from Akasawa Ski Space and 21 km (13 miles) from Jomokogen practice station.
The massive rooms characteristic tatami (woven-straw) flooring, futons and conventional short-legged eating tables. Some rooms provide balconies, fireplaces and river views.
The distinguished characteristic of the ryokan is their lovely communal scorching springs (onsen). With 3 totally different onsens on website, there is a chance to soak in a wide range of settings, starting from conventional picket baths to new fashionable baths providing beautiful views of the gardens.
The means onsite are one other spotlight, with incredible kaiseki, a conventional 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 scorching spring resort 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 excellent 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 scorching waters. The resort additionally has a restaurant that makes a speciality of mountain delicacies, together with regionally caught river fish and mountain greens.
Discover Takuminosato
Situated outdoors of Minakami on the best way to Akaya Lake is the charming city of Takuminosato. This city is nice to discover on a motorcycle, with streets lined with arts and crafts outlets, eating places and low outlets.
You possibly can hire a motorcycle on the town and spend the day biking round. Pop into outlets, take part in artwork and craft experiences (there are tons available on a walk-in foundation) or search for distinctive Japanese crafts and souvenirs on the market. You’ll discover all the things from bamboo objects to Japanese washi paper artwork.
Inside a craft workshop in Takuminosato
Is Minakami Value a Go to?
Minakami is the final word outside journey playground in Japan. Dwelling to among the nation’s greatest ski resorts, raging rivers, and spectacular mountains, the recent spring resort city presents infinite alternatives for outside actions.
From thrilling experiences like whitewater rafting and bungee leaping to mountaineering up mountains and soaking in scorching springs amongst the forest, it’s straightforward to see why it’s change into a preferred weekend vacation spot for Tokyo residents and overseas guests alike.
If you wish to uncover a distinct facet of Japan, a Minakami journey is certainly price it.
Disclaimer: Our go to to Minakami was made attainable courtesy of Kodo Journey and Gunma Prefecture. However as all the time, all opinions expressed on this article are our personal.