Directions

Bullet Train & Local Train From Tokyo – 2hrs 10mins

Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno station to Echigo-Yuzawa station (75-88mins, ¥6000)
Then board the JR Joetsu line train for Doai Station (25mins, ¥600)
Doai Station is a few hundred meters from Tenjin Lodge
Train times are easily found here:

Note that trains to Doai run infrequently and finish early in the evening however this can be the fastest way to Tenjin Lodge and an excellent idea if you have a rail pass.

Local Train From Tokyo 3-4hrs

On a budget? Use www.hyperdia.com/en and specify a local train from your start point to Minakami Station. We can pick you up from there.

Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno station to Jomo-kogen station (70mins, ¥5200). Exit to the right and board the Kan-Etsu bus for Minakami station (20mins, ¥500)
We can pick you up from Minakami Station
Train times are easily found here
Bus times from Jomo-kogen to Minakami can be found here:

Bus Times

Download instructions

By Car From Tokyo, 2 hours, 175km

Take the Kan-Etsu expressway from Tokyo and exit at Minakami interchange
Turn left at the lights, left again at the next set of lights onto route 291 and then drive straight, following signs to Tanigawadake Mountain
We are the last building on the left before you hit the ropeway and Just after Doai Bridge.

By Car From Tokyo: Navigation Instructions

When using a car Navi, to avoid having to input our address in Japanese, use Tanigawadake Ropeway’s telephone number – 0278-72-3575. We are a few hundred meters on the left hand side, before the Ropeway
When using cell phone navigation, input “Tenjin Lodge, Minakami” and follow the directions.

On Foot From Doai Station

There is only one exit and when you hit the road, turn right. You will cross the train tracks after 100m and you will then see Doai Bridge 200m after that
Check out the waterfall as you’re crossing the bridge as its quite impressive and we are the large white building with the red roof, on your left hand side, immediately after the bridge
Note, Doai has two platforms, one above ground and the other is below ground which makes Doai the deepest station in Japan
If you exit the train coming from Echigo Yuzawa direction you’ll be at ground level however if you travel from Minakami Station to Doai Station, you will need to climb 486 stairs after getting off the train. If you’d rather not, call us and we’ll pick you up from Minakami Station!