Faster than the Shinkansen! Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Ride with me from Ueno Station in Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen on the limited express train that's surprisingly quicker than taking the bullet train.
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Going to use this route this coming November! Thank you very much! Very insightful!
Make it a good trip!
Thanks for doing this video mate! I’m doing this journey tomorrow and it really helped!
Glad it helped - you should have a new train to enjoy tomorrow too!
Bet you must be a Japanese train fan as well! The last 651 series for limited express before retirement, so i must ride it before it does!
Great video and just subscribled to your channel! Thanks for making these lovely videos!
Thanks for your kind words. I think the trains are one of the best things about Japan. Do you have a favourite company or stock? For me, I love Hankyu trains for their colour scheme, but my favourite stock is JR's 223 series. More train content coming soon!
This is nice!
How come I'd never heard of Kukatsu before. I love onsen and I will visit this place for sure. Thanks a lot.
You should! I have 2 more videos featuring Kusatsu coming up before the end of the year too, so I hope you enjoy them.
Just been to Kusatsu a couple of weeks ago. Shinkansen to Karuizawa, rental car to Kusatsu. Driving over the singing road by car is one of the most hair-raising experiences of my life. Now, having said that, and with all respect, perhaps it's not fair to say that the Limited Express is faster than the Shinkansen, as it goes to a different place. The Shinkansen does not go there. You could make the same claim about a horse, if you ride from Ichigaya to Yotsuya.
BTW, great to see your subscriber list growing, mate! I want to keep seeing your videos.
Glad you had a good time! It's a fair point about the title, but hope you enjoy the next videos.
Hi! I’m glad to find your videos. I’m thinking of getting the Tokyo wide pass going to Mt Fuji, Nikko and Kusatsu, based in Tokyo.
I’m not sure if a day trip to Kusatsu is doable with experiencing the public onsens like Sainokawara and/or Otakinoyu. I can’t find the train schedule for the Limited Express Kusatsu. Thanks.
If you check my replies to other comments there's a link to the timetable. I'd recommend staying overnight otherwise you'll feel rushed, and you want to see Kusatsu at night. Have fun!
Super helpful and super informative!
I'd like to ask, is the journey the same when going back to Ueno, Tokyo?
Yes, it is, although there are limited services, so plan ahead.
I feel so lucky to found this RUclips. This is exactly what I am planning to go Kusatsu onsen from Ueno station in March for my retirement trip from California. My next place is Kawaguchiko to see Fuji mountain, any suggestion from Kasatsu to Kawaguchiko? Shouls I return to Ueno via same train then catch Express bus from Shinjuku station? How should I transfer from Ueno station to Shinjuku station?
Sounds great! Kusatsu to Kawaguchi is quite a way, so I'd probably go back to Ueno first, yes. Apart from buses, Fujikyu do direct trains from Shinkjuku to Kawaguchi in less than 2.5 hours. Not available on the all country JR pass but possible on the JR Tokyo Wide Pass. Your Kusatsu trip would also be covered. www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/tokyowidepass.html
@@japanunravelled Thank you so much, I appreciate you.
WHere to find info on the connecting bus? Google map doesnt seem to have any info on it.
The timetable will be on the JR bus kanto site, and in the Japan travel (navitime) app.
@@japanunravelled thanks
Thanks for the information. Is it necessary to buy Kusatsu Shima ticket in advance?
Yes, you can book on JR East's website or at the ticket machine or office.
Hello, this is a very helpful video. I love that there are no transfers. I'm going to be staying in Shinjuku. Do we have to get on the limited express from Ueno station? Or is there a station near me where I can get on this rain? I will have a JR Pass and want to maximize its use since the prices will go up.
Thanks! According to Navitime you can get on at Akabane too, but you may still find Ueno is the nearest to Shinjuku.
Very helpful! How do I get ticket for the bus if Im not using JR pass but buying ticket for train separately?
You can pay in cash or with IC card on the bus. Reservations are not necessary.
@@japanunravelled Thanks a lot! You just saved me a lot of nerves :-D
Great video! Is there a time table for when the express train leaves each day? I'm hoping there is a 2pm or 3pm train due to arriving at tokyo at 1pm.
Here: japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/timetable/00004067/00000188?direction=down&date=2023-09-08&next=00006276&move=expressTrain#80a60067
Hello! My plan is to travel from Narita Airport to Ueno Station to Kusatsu Onsen. Do you know if the Tokyo Wide Pass cover (3 days) the limited express and bus to Kusatsu? Planning to go there in the Spring. Thank you!
Included with the nationwide Japan Rail Pass but not the Tokyo Wide Pass. The bus is a few hundred yen though, so no worries. Enjoy!
Hi - can I pay by Suica or Pasmo for the bus to Kusatsu town or by cash?
Both cash and IC cards including Suica and Pasmo are accepted.
Yes!
Hi there! are the buses included as long as you've got the JR train ticket?
Good question - not included with train tickets. Included with the nationwide Japan Rail Pass and (if I remember correctly) both the JR East passes, but not the Tokyo Wide Pass.
Thank you so much!@@japanunravelled Forgive me for asking another question, but as long as you have the JR train ticket, do you know if you need to schedule the bus ride ahead of time? Thank you again so much!
@@AndrewLinArchives No, you don't need to make reservations for a scheduled bus. These are more like city buses - just hop on whenever you want. The buses are all there waiting when the train arrives - look back in the video and you'll see that JR had loads of buses available!
Thanks again so much! you've been super helpful!@@japanunravelled
Hi Andrew, I enjoyed watching your video coverage on Kusatsu. Thanks for the comparison of travelling on the Limited Express vs the Shinkansen 😊 I've planned to travel from Ueno to Kusatu on the Limited Express. I seek your advice, as I wish to travel to Hakone after Kusatsu and I couldn't find a better transportation but to travel back to Tokyo and to take the Odakyu Limited Express RomanceCar from Shinjuku Station to Hakone. Am I on the right track or there is a better route from Kusatsu direct to Hakone?
Thanks! Yes, you basically have to go back to Tokyo to get there. Nothing better as far as I know. Hope you have fun!
@japanunravelled Thanks again. Greatly appreciated
So if I am staying in Shibuya and I am going to Kusatsu Onsen I should first go to Ueno Station and catch this limited express?
Google shows a variety of ways and I am all confused. I am very worried as I will be travelling to Kusatsu Onsen at the end of March all by myself - and it's my first time in Japan haha
Yes - but there are only 2 or 3 of these trains each day (2 on weekdays/ 3 at the weekend japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/timetable/00004067/00000188?direction=down&date=2023-02-26&move=expressTrain&next=00006276&type= ). I think it's the easiest, but taking the shinkansen to Takasaki and then changing to a local train is only slightly more challenging. Give it a try!
This is helpful! I will be traveling to kusatsu by end of march as well and i have tokyo wide pass 😊
Hi, I'm trying to cover tokyo, mt fuji, kusatsu and karuizawa. How should I travel? Then to Kyoto.
You can get to all those places by train.
@Japan Unravelled how would u plan the travelling route? Tokyo > My Fuji > kusatsu > karuizawa ? From Google map, I couldn't make these places on the way 🤔 coz I hoped to stay at least 2 nights per place.
Watch this video and learn a better way of planning: ruclips.net/video/VS0imfarrYw/видео.html
Do I need to reserve the train ticket in advance? If yes, how to do that?
I think it's fully reserved seating now, so yes. You can either go to a ticket office or machine a day or two beforehand, or use the JR East site: www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index
Keep in mind that the Tokyo Wide Pass may well save you money if you do a round trip to Kusatsu, and an additional trip another day. ruclips.net/video/B2XQSTtukWw/видео.html
@@japanunravelled thank you
Can you buy tickets at train station the same day ? or do you recommend to buy earlier (1-2 days before the departure day) ? thx
You can buy on the day, but last time I looked it was reserved seats only - so book asap.
Is highway bus confortable too compare to train during 4 hours of travel ? Thx @@japanunravelled
Should be OK!
May I ask if there is any earlier departure time from Ueno station to Takasaki as I am planning to go for a day trip there.
These are your earliest options:
japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/result?start=00004067&goal=%7B%27lat%27%3A36.620853%2C%27lon%27%3A138.59647%2C%27spot%27%3A%2702304-on00296%27%7D&start_name=Ueno&goal_name=Kusatsu%20Onsen&date_time=2022-12-12T13%3A43&search_time_mode=first-operation&japan_rail_pass=true
@@japanunravelled Thanks so much for your information
Physical keyboard for a smartphone or a very odd laptop screen?
Neither - it's a smartphone with a physical keyboard.
Hello! Thanks for the informative video! I am planning a trip to Kusatsu and will take the limited express train from Ueno as recommended. Where can I buy the tickets? I am not getting the JR pass though.
Any ticket office or machine. Not using JR Pass? Consider this great alternative - the trip is fully covered: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/tokyowidepass.html?src=gnavi
@japanunravelled can I just tap my suica card or is it reserved seating
Thank you for the video, very helpful!
Based on Google Maps directions, it seems like this route is the same speed as the Shinkansen once you factor in the bus ride. It is cheaper though, but does that make a difference if you’re using a JR Pass or Tokyo Wide? Also, would the pass or a Suica cover the bus cost?
I also see there’s an option to take the Shinkansen to Karuizawa and then another train from there. Do you think it would be worth it on the way back to stop in Karuizawa and explore for a bit?
Thanks! The bus ride is covered by the JR Pass. There's a lot to see in Karuizawa, but I don't think you could do both Kusatsu and there in one day.
Where can you get the train and bus tickets for this route?
I used the Tokyo Wide Pass which covered the train, the bus was 710 yen extra. Train tickets you can get at any JR office or machine, and you can buy online at ekinet too. Bus you don't need tickets, just pay on the bus.
@@japanunravelled can I pay for the bullet train ride by Suica card?
I don't think so.
@@japanunravelled where can I get the Tokyo wide pass?
You can get it online:
www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/tokyowidepass.html?src=gnavi
Or at KLOOK (5% off with first booking on app)
bit.ly/KLOOK-Tokyo-Wide
You can also purchase at stations - more details in the first link above.
Thanks for this! I was planning on getting the jr pass just for the shinkansen since i thought that was the best way to get from tokyo station to kusastu, so I have a lot more options than I thought now. Do you know the total cost of this trip was?
Glad I could help. The round trip from Ueno costs 12,960 yen which includes the bus. I was using the Tokyo Wide Pass though, which costs only 10,180 yen for 3 days of travel.
May I ask what is the best way from Sumida-ku to Kusatsu? I planted to stay at Kusatsu for 2 nights. Thank you
The train in the video.
Your video is very helpful. Thank you. Do you know best ways from Kusatsu to Osaka?
Is this the fastest route ? How much did you spend total as well
Not sure! I'll keep track in future videos!
Any recommendations on returning to Tokyo from Kusatsu?
Good question! If you're using a JR pass, the last direct limited express back to Ueno is at 1543 on both weekdays and weekends. After that you'll need to take a local train to Takasaki, then change to the Shinkansen. Otherwise, there are direct buses to various places in Tokyo. I didn't get to stay over in Kusatsu, but I think the night time atmosphere would be worth it.
Is the JR Kanto Bus covered by the nationwide pass and did you have to do any booking or just board any bus from the station?
Yes, the bus is covered by the nationwide pass. Booking isn't required, just get in the line after you get off the train. I was using the Tokyo Wide Pass, so I had to pay separately for the bus. Anyway, have fun!
@@japanunravelled thanks!! Before this I still wonder Tokyo wide pass is it cover this train to kusatsu
@@Bearinfirefire Definitely covered by Tokyo Wide!
Can i ask where i can book this tickets from
It's possible at any JR ticket office or machine.
Its not available online? But oh ty so much for the reply
@@bee7697 www.eki-net.com
Ty so much
@@bee7697 Enjoy!
Hmmm.. wouldn't it be faster to take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa (1hr 4mins) and then take the bus from Karuizawa to Kusatsu Onsen (1hr 16mins). that is only a total of 2hrs 20mins and that already includes the bus. the route you chose was a total of 2hrs 18mins and it doesn't include the bus travel time.
Well yes, but, what's the waiting time for the bus at Karuizawa and how often are they? I think you'd find the times similar overall.
Hi, Great video! Is this train covered by JR rail pass?
Sorry, additional question, did you use JR rail pass or Tokyo wide pass or both? haha
Yes, it is! And the bus too!
Tokyo Wide, because I can't use the JR pass since I live here.
How much was the ticket to Kusatsu on the limited express?
I used the Tokyo Wide Pass, so I don't know. Jorudan will tell you prices though.