A full switch from Gunma's onsen towns and mountains to central Tokyo: Shinjuku for skyscrapers, department stores and nightlife, Asakusa for Senso-ji and the old shitamachi streets. The Shinkansen puts it within a single day trip from Takasaki, though the two districts are far enough apart (Shinjuku to Asakusa is roughly 30-40 minutes by train) that trying to do both unhurried is ambitious. Most visitors treat it as either a Shinjuku day or an Asakusa day, not both in full.
| Distance | 100km from Takasaki |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 50 minutes from Takasaki by Shinkansen |
| Getting there | JR Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen from Takasaki Station to Tokyo Station (48–55 min, ¥4,270–4,690 / $28.60–31.43 one-way); then Tokyo Metro to Shinjuku, Asakusa, etc. |
| Address | Shinjuku Station, 3 Chome-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo |
How to get there
- Shinkansen (fastest, ¥4,270 / $28.60 unreserved)
- Highway bus from Maebashi to Shinjuku (2 hours 30 min, ¥2,000 / $13.40 — cheaper but slower)
Location
Shinjuku Station, 3 Chome-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
35.6905, 139.6995 View on map
Highlights
- Senso-ji, Asakusa - Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through the Nakamise-dori market street of snack and souvenir stalls
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku - free observation decks with a skyline view, no ticket needed
- Kabukicho, Shinjuku - the neon entertainment district, worth walking through even without going into any venue
- Shinjuku Gyoen - a large park with Japanese, French and English garden sections, a break from the station crowds
- Sumida River - boat piers near Asakusa run river cruises down toward Odaiba and the bay