{"id":1062,"date":"2018-10-04T10:44:52","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T10:44:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uenostation.com\/?page_id=1062"},"modified":"2018-10-04T10:44:52","modified_gmt":"2018-10-04T10:44:52","slug":"joetsu-shinkansen-for-echigo-yuzawa-and-niigata","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uenostation.com\/joetsu-shinkansen-for-echigo-yuzawa-and-niigata\/","title":{"rendered":"The Joetsu Shinkansen for Echigo-Yuzawa and Niigata"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Joetsu Shinkansen is a high speed bullet train route that links the city of Tokyo with destinations in the prefectures of Saitama, Gunma and Niigata. <\/p>\n

\"Joetsu

Joetsu Shinkansen double decker Max Toki service<\/p><\/div>\n

There are two main train services on the Joetsu Shinkansen: the Toki<\/strong> and the Tanigawa<\/strong>. The Toki is a limited stop service that provides a fast link between Tokyo Station and Niigata Station. The Toki is named after the Japanese name of the Crested Ibis, a rare bird that is the target of conservation efforts in Niigata Prefecture.<\/p>\n

\"A

A carriage banner on the Toki shinkansen service<\/p><\/div>\n

The Tanigawa is a slower service that stops at all stations between Tokyo Station and Echigo-Yuzawa Station. The Tanigawa is named after Mount Tanigawa, a famous mountain in Gunma and Niigata prefectures. There are also double decker versions of these two services called the Max Toki<\/strong> and the Max Tanigawa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Toki shinkansen service bound for Niigata at JR Ueno Station<\/p><\/div>\n

At JR Ueno Station Joetsu Shinkansen services run from platforms 19 and 20<\/strong>. The Joetsu Shinkansen is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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A carriage banner on the Max Toki shinkansen service<\/p><\/div>\n

Key Destinations<\/h2>\n

Between Tokyo and Niigata there are 12 stations on the Joetsu Shinkansen route.<\/p>\n

Tokyo > Ueno > Omiya > Kumagaya > Honjo-Waseda > Takasaki > Jomo-Kogen > Echigo-Yuzawa > Urasa > Nagaoka > Tsubama-Sanjo > Niigata <\/strong><\/p>\n

In the winter ski season some Tanigawa services continue beyond Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Gala-Yuzawa Line to Gala-Yuzawa Station. Gala-Yuzawa Station is a seasonal station that only opens during the winter to serve the Gala-Yuzawa ski resort.<\/p>\n

\"The

The double decker Max Toki shinkansen service at JR Ueno Station<\/p><\/div>\n

Between Tokyo and Omiya the Joetsu Shinkansen follows the same route as the Tohoku Shinkansen. After Omiya, Kumagaya, Honjo-Waseda, and Takasaki are also served by Hokuriku Shinkansen services. Information on the Joetsu Shinkansen\u2019s key destinations and on transfer points is given below. For detailed information on destinations between Tokyo and Omiya, please see our article on the Tohoku Shinkansen<\/a>. Example ticket fares and journey times are given from JR Ueno Station. Tickets for reserved seats usually cost around 500 yen extra but this can go up and down in peak and non-peak travel periods. Unreserved ticket pricing is given below.<\/p>\n

\"Departure

Departure information at JR Ueno Station<\/p><\/div>\n

Kumagaya Station<\/h3>\n

Kumagaya\u2019s biggest attraction is the Menuma Shodenzan Temple<\/strong>. This temple was first established in the 12th century, but the current buildings date from the 17th century. Among the elaborate and colorful carvings on the temple buildings is a famous carving of an eagle rescuing a monkey from a waterfall. This is believed to be by the artist Hidari Jingoro who also carved the three monkeys in Nikko. Kumagaya also hosts a major summer festival every July 20th to 22nd called Uchiwa Matsuri, or paper fan festival.<\/p>\n

Kumagaya Station is served by JR East\u2019s Takasaki Line and Shonan-Shinjuku Line, the private railway Chichibu Main Line, and by the Hokuriku Shinkansen. <\/p>\n

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<\/i>  Train fare (unreserved): 2,070 yen
\n<\/i>  Train time: 33 minutes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Takasaki Station<\/h3>\n

There are a number of sightseeing attractions both in and around Takasaki.<\/p>\n