*NOTE*

This is an information for the torists to come to Kurohone area which I investigated by myself (as at January 2017). It's not an official information, so please use it just for your reference. And required time is not included waiting time for the transfer, so it's better to think it will take more.

From all over the world / all over Japan

Please come to Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The nearest airport are Narita International Airport (NRT) or Tokyo International Airport (Haneda, HND).

For the passenger who are going to move in Japan, and don't want to use plane or bullet train (Shinkansen) because of the high price, I recommend the highway express bus. It costs cheeper than other transportation, and you can move during the night (Depends on the bus). If you have a plan to travel all around Japan, "JAPAN BUS PASS" is one of your choices for transportation. It is now on sale from the WILLER TRAVEL, Inc. Learn more

Another expressway bus company - AMYFACT Inc.(English available) Learn more

Railway Stations Map

*You can find your designated facility easily clicking on the icon [] at the upper left of this map.

Kanto Region Railway Map (details) Click here

Transfer Guide in Japan ("Hyper Dia") Click here
-This is very useful. You can also download the application for iOS/Android.

From Central Tokyo to Kurohone area by Train - 2hours30minutes (the fastest time)

The lowest fare from Asakusa Sta. to Mizunuma Sta. is 1,640yen! Even if you take the Limited Express Ryomo, it will be just 2,670yen! (Both are one way fare)

I recommend "Tobu Railway"

I think Tobu Railway is the most convenient transportation to come to Kurohone area, Kiryu City. There is a direct train from Asakusa Sta.(Tokyo Metropolis) to Aioi Sta.(Kiryu City,Gunma Prefecture) if you take a limited express named "Ryomo". The most economical way to come to Kurohone is also taking Tobu Railway (local train). I'm going to explain how to come to Kurohone below. It is a little complicated, so I divided the distance into 3 parts.

A: From Airport/Tokyo/Yokohama to Tobu Railway Station
　　↓
B: Tobu Railway
　　↓
C: Watarase Keikoku Railway

Useful Information

IC card for transportation

About Japanese Railway

A: From Airport/Tokyo/Yokohama to Tobu Railway Station

At first, please come to one of these 5 stations below.

Tobu Skytree Line（bound for Kiryu City）：
Asakusa sta.（Starting Station）→Tokyo Skytree sta.→（→Oshiage sta.→）→…→Ushida sta.→Kita-senju sta.→…

Correctly, the Oshiage sta. is not between Tokyo Skytree sta. and Ushida sta.. but Oshiage sta. is also Tobu Skytree Line and running straight through into Kita-senju sta., so I wrote it between the stations above. And please note that the Limited Express RYOMO stops at only Asakusa sta., Tokyo Skytree Sta., and Kita-senju sta. (some train don't stop at Tokyo Skytree Sta.) in this map.

From Narita International Airport (NRT)

There are 2 railway company and 3 railway lines - Keisei[Sky Access]Line, Keisei[Main]Line, and JR Line

===Keisei[Sky Access]Line===

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta.（Keisei[Sky Access]Line -Limited Express "Keisei Skyliner"- ) --> Nippori sta. (transfer)(JR Joban Line) --> Kita-senju sta.
(The required time to Kita-senju Sta. is 50minutes, basic fare (total):1,400yen, additional express fare:1,230yen) -Expensive, but comfortable

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta. (Keisei[Sky Access]Line -Access Express "Keisei Narita Sky Access Exp."- ) --> Asakusa sta.(TOBU/SUBWAY)
(The required time to Asakusa sta. is 55minutes, basic fare: to Asakusa sta.- 1,290yen, No need to pay express fare) -Manager's Recommend(cheaper,faster)

===Keisei[Main]Line===

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta. (Keisei[Main]Line -Keisei Morning/Evening Liner- ) --> Nippori sta. (transfer)(JR Joban Line) --> Kita-senju sta.
(The required time to Kita-senju sta. is 80minutes, basic fare: to Asakusa sta.- 1,190yen, additional express fare:410yen) -I don't think you will get this train because the frequency of service is only twice per day

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta. (Keisei[Main]Line -Ltd. Exp./ Commuter Express/ Rapid/ Local- ) --> Asakusa sta.
(The required time to Asakusa sta. is 80minutes, basic fare: to Asakusa sta.- 1,100yen, No need to pay express fare) -This is the cheapest way

*After Aoto sta., both Keisei ([Sky Access/ Main]) Line branch into 2 directions - bound for Keisei-Sekiya sta.=> Nippori sta.=> Keisei-Ueno sta., or for Oshiage sta.=> Asakusa sta.=>=> Haneda Airport (See the map above). You can transfer both directions freely at Aoto Sta.(same platform).
So these routes above are just examples. As another examples, you can transfer from Keisei-sekiya Sta. to Ushida Sta.(TOKYO) , from Oshiage Sta. to Tokyo Skytree Sta.(You can also tranfer directly to Tobu Skytree Line at Oshiage Sta.), etc. However, please pay attention to the stops for the express trains.
And also please note that only the Limited Express "Keisei Skyliner" don't stop at Aoto Sta. (After leaving Narita Airport, the next station of all this train will be Nippori Sta.)

*It takes about 3 minutes to walk from the Keisei-sekiya Sta. to Ushida Sta.(TOKYO)
*It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the Oshiage Sta. to Tokyo Skytree Sta. (If you transfer to Tobu Skytree Line directly at Oshiage Sta., it takes about 4 minutes to walk)

*By the way, to tell the truth, the really cheapest way to transfer to Tobu Skytree Line are to take the Keisei[Main]Line and get off at Oshiage Sta. or Keisei-sekiya Sta. (The fare are both 980yen).

===JR Line===

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta. (JR Line -Limited Express "Narita Express"- ) --> Tokyo sta. (transfer)(JR Yamanote Line/ JR Keihin-Tohoku Line) --> Ueno sta. (transfer)(JR Joban Line) --> Kita-senju sta.
(The required time to Kita-senju sta. is 85minutes, basic fare: 1,140yen, additional express fare: 1,700yen)

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta. (JR Line -Commuter's Rapid/ Rapid/ Local- ) --> Narita sta. (transfer)(JR Narita Line) --> (Abiko sta. (transfer/direct operation)(JR Joban Line)) --> Kita-senju sta.
(The required time to Kita-senju sta. is 80minutes, basic fare: 1,140yen, No need to pay express fare)

@Narita Airport Terminal 1/2･3 sta. (JR Line -Commuter's Rapid/ Rapid/ Local- ) --> Tokyo sta. (transfer)(JR Yamanote Line/ JR Keihin-Tohoku Line) --> Ueno sta. (transfer)(JR Joban Line) --> Kita-senju sta.
(The required time to Kita-senju sta. is 105minutes, basic fare: 1,140yen, No need to pay express fare)

Keisei Electric Railway Co.,Ltd. Learn more
East Japan Railway Company Learn more

Transfer Guide in Japan ("Hyper Dia") Click here

*BY EXPRESSWAY BUS

If your purpose is only going to Tokyo Sta., I think the expressway bus is the cheapest transportation. The required time to Tokyo Station is 1hour 15minutes, with a paid reservation: 900yen, without a reservation:1000 yen.

Keisei Bus Co., Ltd.Learn more

Kanto Region Railway Map (details) Click here
-You can find all the stations above.

Transfer Guide in Japan ("Hyper Dia") Click here
-You can search easier to uncheck the check box "Japan Railway(JR)" of this Transfer Guide if you don't take JR Line.

Ｂ： Tobu Line

Asakusa sta.--> Tokyo Skytree sta.--> (Oshiage sta.)--> Ushida sta.--> Kita-senju sta.--> (Tobu Skytree Line)-(Tobu Isesaki Line)-(Tobu Kiryu Line)--> Aioi sta.

the"basic fare" from any stations above to Aioi sta. are 1,200yen.

If you take the Limited Express Ryomo, the additional"express fare" is 1,030yen (some trains at afternoon/evening: 830yen).

From Asakusa sta. to Aioi sta., it takes 1hour50minutes if you take the Limited Express Ryomo, 2hours40minutes if you take local train (Moreover the local train doesn't connect conveniently.)

Timetable of the Limited Express Ryomo (Japanese only) To Aioi sta. To Asakusa sta.
Let's try to understand! Asakusa sta.="浅草", Tokyo Skytree sta.="とうきょうスカイツリー", Kita-senju sta.="北千住", Aioi sta.="相老".

TOBU Railway Co., LTD. Learn more

Kanto Region Railway Map (details) Click here
-You can find all the stations of Tobu Line.

Transfer Guide in Japan ("Hyper Dia") Click here
-You can search easier to uncheck the check box "Japan Railway(JR)" of this Transfer Guide.

Ｃ：Watarase Keikoku Railway

This is a wonderful diesel railway which runs in the Watarase Gorge. It takes 30minutes, 440yen from Aioi sta. to Mizunuma sta..

In this railway, the trolley train which has no windows (From middle April to middle November) runs for the tourists at particular day. You can enjoy the trip along Watarase Gorge with wonderful scenery being blown by a refreshing breeze. Its capacity is limited, so I think it's better to reserve in advance. The extra"trolley fare" is 510yen (adult).

Please note that you cannot use IC card for the both fare in this railway. You have to buy the ticket at each station, or pay inside the train (*You can pay only the"basic fare" inside the train. And all payments about Watarase Keikoku Railway are cash only).

Watarase Keikoku Railway Co.,Ltd. Learn more

Transfer Guide in Japan ("Hyper Dia") Click here

For passenger who has JR free pass

If you have JR free pass like "Japan Rail Pass","JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)","JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)","JR TOKYO Wide Pass","JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass",or "Hokuriku Arch Pass", you cannot take almost private railways above like the Keisei [main] Line, Keisei [Sky Access] Line, Keikyu Line, Tokyo Metro Line, Toei Subway, Tobu Line, and Watarase Keikoku Line. But you can go up to Kiryu sta. by JR Line.

If you want to search the transfer guide only JR Line, uncheck the check box "Private Railway" of this Transfer Guide. And also input "Kiryu sta." into the destination because there is no JR Line between Kiryu sta. and Mizunuma sta.. So you need to divide into 2 parts, "from starting point to Kiryu sta." and "from Kiryu sta. to Mizunuma sta.", and search that.

Transfer Guide in Japan ("Hyper Dia") Click here

Kanto Region Railway Map (details) Click here

From the Nikko

Kurohone area is located near the famous Nikko. How about stopping by Kurohone area after Nikko? You can come by Nikko City Bus and Watarase Keikoku Railway. It takes 1hour30minutes, 1,920yen (From Nikko sta. to Mato sta.- bus fare 790yen, From Mato sta. to Mizunuma sta.- railway fare 1,130yen)

*There are also some sightseeing spots in Ashio area. one of those is "Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing" (No.5 in the map below). How about taking the bus from Nikko to Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing, and taking the train to Kurohone from Tsudo Sta. after visiting there?

The timetable of the bus between Nikko main area and Ashio area

For Kurohone

1)
NIKKO Sta. 7:22 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 7:23 --> MATO Sta. 7:58 --> ASHIO Sta. 8:10 --> TSUDO Sta. 8:13 --> Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 8:15
2)
NIKKO Sta. 9:35 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 9:36 --> MATO Sta. 10:11 --> ASHIO Sta. 10:23 --> TSUDO Sta. 10:26 --> Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 10:28
3)
NIKKO Sta. 13:00 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 13:01 --> MATO Sta. 13:36 --> ASHIO Sta. 13:48 --> TSUDO Sta. 13:51 --> Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 13:53
4)
NIKKO Sta. 15:50 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 15:51 --> MATO Sta. 16:26 --> ASHIO Sta. 16:38 --> TSUDO Sta. 16:41 --> Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 16:43 (already closed)
5)
NIKKO Sta. 17:30 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 17:31 --> MATO Sta. 18:06 --> ASHIO Sta. 18:18 --> TSUDO Sta. 18:21 --> Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 18:23 (already closed)
6)
NIKKO Sta. 19:01 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 19:02 --> MATO Sta. 19:37 --> ASHIO Sta. 19:49 --> TSUDO Sta. 19:52 --> Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 19:54 (already closed)

For Nikko

1)
Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 6:25 (not yet opened) --> TSUDO Sta. 6:27 --> ASHIO Sta. 6:30 --> MATO Sta. 6:42 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 7:17 --> NIKKO Sta. 7:18
2)
Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 7:30 (not yet opened) --> TSUDO Sta. 7:32 --> ASHIO Sta. 7:35 --> MATO Sta. 7:47 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 8:22 --> NIKKO Sta. 8:23
3)
Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 11:05 --> TSUDO Sta. 11:07 --> ASHIO Sta. 11:10 --> MATO Sta. 11:22 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 11:57 --> NIKKO Sta. 11:58
4)
Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 13:15 --> TSUDO Sta. 13:17 --> ASHIO Sta. 13:20 --> MATO Sta. 13:32 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 14:07 --> NIKKO Sta. 14:08
5)
Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 15:35 --> TSUDO Sta. 15:37 --> ASHIO Sta. 15:40 --> MATO Sta. 15:52 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 16:27 --> NIKKO Sta. 16:28
6)
Ashio Copper Mine Sightseeing 17:50 --> TSUDO Sta. 17:52 --> ASHIO Sta. 17:55 --> MATO Sta. 18:07 --> TOBU-NIKKO Sta. 18:42 --> NIKKO Sta. 18:43

*If you want details, please check here - The number indicated at the map above corresponds to that of this timetable (From the official website of Nikko City: Japanese only).

About the Railway/Bus fare rules in Japan (Generally)

The fare I illustrated above are all "adult fare". Adult means "Junior high school age and over". There is also "child fare", it means "Elementary school age" and the half fare of the adult. Up to a maximum of 2 pre‐school children per 1 companion (If they don't use the seats: e.g. they sit on the companion's lap) are for free. It costs "child fare" if they use own seats.
*These rules apply to the "basic fare" of the most railways and fixed-route buses in Japan. The "Express fare" and other fares depends on each company, so please ask them.

*The classification of age in the article above conform to a school system in Japan. You can check your school/grade in Japan by inputing your date of birth and designated date (e.g. traveling date) in this Excel file (especially for the passengers of school age) Click here