Capital · Japan
Maebashi前橋
Give Maebashi one night as a Gunma base, or skip it: the sights are thin, but it is 90 min from Tokyo and cheaper than Takasaki.
Maebashi is the capital of Gunma and a low-key stop on the JR Ryomo Line, 75–90 minutes from Tokyo via Takasaki. It works as a cheap bed for the Akagi foothills, the prefectural building's free observation floor and the spring cherry road, but most travellers pass through to Kusatsu, Minakami or Takasaki.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airports
- NRT · HND
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maebashi110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maebashi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyMaebashi is a quiet, safe prefectural capital.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNRT Narita (Azalea limousine bus to Maebashi Station, about 3 h 30 min; or Narita Express to Tokyo, Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki…
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable and the wide shared pavements and straight back streets suit a bicycle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (soba or ramen)¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9)
- Beerdraught / can at a convenience store¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride¥190–400 (≈ US$2–3) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or capsule bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥28,000 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NRT Narita (Azalea limousine bus to Maebashi Station, about 3 h 30 min; or Narita Express to Tokyo, Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki, Ryomo Line to Maebashi, about 2 h 30 min) · HND Haneda (Limousine bus to Maebashi Station, about 3 h 30 min; by train via Shinagawa, Tokyo and Takasaki, about 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maebashi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
4 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable and the wide shared pavements and straight back streets suit a bicycle. Local buses radiate from Maebashi Station (about ¥190 to Maebashi Park and the Green Dome, 10 min) but are not frequent; the rail network is too sparse to rely on alone.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Takasaki
goDoor to door: About 20 min
JR Ryomo Line from Maebashi
Shinkansen stop and the region's transport hub; use it for connections, not sights.
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
JR to Shibukawa or Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then bus
Hot-spring village; sleep there rather than returning.
Minakami
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen, then bus or taxi
Rafting, canyoning and onsen; a full day out.
Tomioka
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
JR Ryomo Line to Takasaki, then Joshin Line
Silk mill and its UNESCO-listed workshops.
Door to door: About 40 min
JR Ryomo Line east
Textile and pachinko-parlour heritage; half a day.
Ota
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Tobu Isesaki Line from Chuo-Maebashi
Subaru factory tours need a booking well ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Maebashi Station area
Buses start and end here; Comfort Hotel is a 5-min walk from the station.
Shin-Maebashi
One stop west on the Ryomo Line; quieter, with the Terminal Hotel beside the tracks.
Chuo-dori and Benten-dori
Central arcade and riverside park; walkable, few hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–17,000 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
- High
- ¥17,000 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| Shinkansen Tokyo → Takasaki, one way (reserved)2 × ¥4,800 · check | ¥9,600 |
| Ryomo Line Takasaki → Maebashi, one way2 × ¥240 · check | ¥480 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥5,210 |
| Trip total≈ ¥28,650 per person per day, bed included | ¥57,290≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle soup (soba or ramen) | ¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Sauce katsudon | ¥900–1,500 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Yakimanju skewer | ¥150–300 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beer: draught / can at a convenience store | ¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Local bus ride | ¥190–400 (≈ US$2–3) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses from the station are infrequent and stop early; check the last run before an evening trip.
- Many smaller museums and the prefectural building close on Mondays and over New Year: check before you go.
- Summer is hot and humid; the cherry road and Akagi area are exposed with little shade.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Maebashi前橋
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassies in Maebashi; most are in Tokyo. The US has a consulate in Nagoya (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shinkansen Tokyo → Takasaki: about ¥4,800 (≈ US$35) reserved, about 50 min (check)
- Ryomo Line Takasaki → Maebashi: about ¥240 (≈ US$2), about 20 min (check)
- Bus Maebashi Station → Green Dome: about ¥190 (≈ US$2), 10 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Cash is still useful in small shops and buses; carry some yen.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maebashi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NRT and HND: last bus and last train field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Maebashi Station, Chuo-dori and Benten-dori, the prefectural building and Rinkokaku, Maebashi Park.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (prefectural building observation floor, Rinkokaku, Green Dome, Akagi Nanmen) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.