Mt. Tanigawa-dake (谷川岳)

Mount Tanigawa (谷川岳たにがわだけ) rises to 1,977m on the border of Gunma and Niigata Prefectures. One of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan, its twin peaks “Toma-no-Mimi” and “Oki-no-Mimi” offer a spectacular 360-degree panorama. A ropeway whisks you to the mid-slopes, making it a popular day hike. The autumn foliage set against sheer rock walls is breathtaking.

Take a bus from Minakami Station (水上駅) on the JR Joetsu Line to Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ, formerly Tanigawadake Ropeway), about 20 minutes.

The standard approach uses the ropeway (Tanigawadake Joch by Hoshino Resorts, 谷川岳ヨッホ by 星野リゾート) to reach the mid-slopes. Access is by bus from Jomo-Kogen Station (上毛高原駅, Shinkansen) or Minakami Station (水上駅, JR local line).

Ropeway Hours
April–November: Weekdays 8:00–17:00 / Weekends & holidays 7:00–17:00
December–March: Daily 8:30–16:30

Ropeway Fares
Adult: one-way ¥1,800 / round-trip ¥3,000
Child: one-way ¥900 / round-trip ¥1,500

Doai Station (土合駅) is also nearby (20-minute walk to the ropeway), but the platform is connected to the ticket gate by a very long staircase (462 steps).

*Timetable last checked: [sc name=”updated_date”][/sc]

Access to the Trailhead

1. [Going] Jomo-Kogen Sta. (上毛高原駅) → Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ)
2. [Going] Minakami Sta. (水上駅) → Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ)
3. [Going] Doai Sta. (土合駅) → Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ)
4. [Return] Tanigawadake Yoho → Jomo-Kogen Sta. (上毛高原駅)
5. [Return] Tanigawadake Yoho → Minakami Sta. (水上駅)
6. [Return] Tanigawadake Yoho → Doai Sta. (土合駅)

Map & Recommended Route

1. [Going] Jomo-Kogen Sta. (上毛高原駅) → Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ)

From Bus Stop 1 at Jomo-Kogen Station (上毛高原駅), take the Kan-etsu Kotsu (関越交通) bus bound for Minakami Sta. / Tanigawadake Yoho. Only direct through-services are listed below (buses terminating at Minakami Station are excluded).
Ride time: approx. 45 min
Fare: ¥1,400

Bus TimetableJomo-Kogen Sta. → Tanigawadake Yoho

Ref: [NAVITIME]

2. [Going] Minakami Sta. (水上駅) → Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ)

From Bus Stop 3 at Minakami Station (水上駅), take the Kan-etsu Kotsu (関越交通) bus bound for Tanigawadake Yoho. Includes through-services from Jomo-Kogen and Minakami-originating buses.
Ride time: approx. 20 min
Fare: ¥850

Bus TimetableMinakami Sta. → Tanigawadake Yoho

Ref: [NAVITIME]

3. [Going] Doai Sta. (土合駅) → Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ)

From Doai Station (土合駅), it is about a 20-minute walk to Tanigawadake Yoho. All buses from Jomo-Kogen and Minakami stations stop here, but the platform is connected to the gate by 462 steps — unless you have a specific reason, board at Minakami Station instead.
Fare estimate: Tokyo (Ueno Sta.) → Doai Sta. ¥3,880 (JR Joetsu Line)
Bus fare: Doai Sta. → Tanigawadake Yoho ¥770

Bus TimetableDoai Sta. → Tanigawadake Yoho

Ref: [NAVITIME]

4. [Return] Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ) → Jomo-Kogen Sta. (上毛高原駅)

From the Tanigawadake Yoho bus stop, take the Kan-etsu Kotsu (関越交通) bus bound for Jomo-Kogen Station. All buses pass through Minakami Station.
Ride time: approx. 50 min
Fare: ¥1,400

Bus TimetableTanigawadake Yoho → Jomo-Kogen Sta.

Ref: [NAVITIME]

5. [Return] Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ) → Minakami Sta. (水上駅)

From Tanigawadake Yoho, take the Kan-etsu Kotsu (関越交通) bus bound for Minakami Sta. or Jomo-Kogen Sta.
Ride time: approx. 23 min
Fare: ¥850

Bus TimetableTanigawadake Yoho → Minakami Sta.

Ref: [NAVITIME]

6. [Return] Tanigawadake Yoho (谷川岳ヨッホ) → Doai Sta. (土合駅)

About a 20-minute walk, or approx. 3 minutes by bus.
Bus fare: Tanigawadake Yoho → Doai Sta. ¥770
Fare estimate: Doai Sta. → Tokyo (Ueno Sta.) ¥3,880 (JR Joetsu Line)

Bus TimetableTanigawadake Yoho → Doai Sta.

Ref: [NAVITIME]