Takasaki is a transport hub on the Kantō Plain, roughly 90 to 100 kilometres from central Tokyo, and the Shinkansen stops here on its way north. The city centre is low-lying and flat, with the Tone, Karasu and Usui rivers running through it, and mountains — Haruna, Akagi and Myogi — visible on the horizon. Winters are cold and windy with occasional snow, while summers are warm and September is the wettest month.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the railway station and the streets immediately around it form the commercial and transport core, and the city's sights — Shorinzan Daruma Temple, Haruna Shrine, Lake Haruna, Minowa Castle and the Byakue Dai-Kannon — sit outside that core, some of them in the hills to the north and west. This guide covers which parts of the city to base yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Takasaki
1. Around Takasaki Station (Yashimacho and Yanagawacho)
This is the natural base for most visitors. The station is the meeting point of the Hokuriku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, the Takasaki Line, the Shōnan-Shinjuku and Ueno-Tokyo lines, the Jōetsu Line and the Shinetsu Main Line, and the Jōshin Dentetsu line also starts here. Accommodation in this area is concentrated in the streets adjoining the station, including Yashimacho and Yanagawacho, and some properties here have English-speaking staff.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone arriving or leaving by rail, since you can walk to your accommodation from the platform and reach the rest of the city and the wider region without a transfer. Expect city-centre accommodation rather than resort-style stays. The main practical point is that this area is flat and central, so it works well as a base even if your days are spent out at the temples, the lake or the mountains.
2. The wider central city area
The central city area sits at only about 97 metres above sea level, and the city hall and the core streets share that low, level ground. Beyond the immediate station blocks, the centre is a regional commercial hub, which means everyday urban amenities rather than a tourist quarter.
This suits travellers who want to be in the city rather than at the station, and it remains convenient because the station is close by. Note that the land rises to the north and west of the city, so if you plan to spend your time around Haruna Shrine, Lake Haruna or Mount Haruna, you will be travelling out from the centre rather than staying among the hills.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple city-centre accommodation close to the station, where the priority is a bed and a rail connection rather than facilities.
- Mid-range: the standard city hotels found in the station area and the central district, including properties with some English-speaking staff.
- Splurge: the larger, better-appointed hotels in the station area, which offer the most convenient position for Shinkansen travel.
Best area for a first visit
Stay around Takasaki Station, in the Yashimacho or Yanagawacho streets. It is the one place where the Shinkansen, the regional lines and the Jōshin Dentetsu all meet, so every sight in and around the city is reachable from your doorstep. It is also flat and central, which keeps arrival, departure and day trips simple.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to stay in Takasaki?
No. Basing yourself at the station puts you on the Shinkansen and the regional and Jōshin Dentetsu lines, which is how you reach the city's attractions and the surrounding area.
Which area is best if I am arriving by Shinkansen?
The streets adjoining Takasaki Station, including Yashimacho and Yanagawacho. Accommodation there is connected to or within walking distance of the station where the Shinkansen stops.
Is the city centre hilly?
No. The city hall and central city area sit at only about 97 metres above sea level, and much of the city is low-lying. The land rises only in the northern and western parts of the city.
When is the least comfortable time to stay?
Winter. Takasaki has cold, windy winters with occasional snowfall, and January averages around 2.6 °C. September is the wettest month.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide.