Koei Kotsu Bus and JR Bus Kanto will begin operating a new express bus service, the “Yumeguri Tokorozawa–Kawagoe,” on August 20.
This is the second phase following the existing alliance route, the “Yumeguri Kawagoe–Omiya,” and provides direct, transfer-free access from Tokorozawa City and Kawagoe City in southwestern Saitama Prefecture to Gunma Prefecture’s premier hot spring resorts, “Ikaho Onsen” and “Kusatsu Onsen.”
There is one round trip per day. The outbound train departs from the East Exit of Tokorozawa Station at 8:40 a.m. and from the West Exit of Kawagoe Station at 9:50 a.m., stopping at Shibukawa Station (arriving at 11:40 a.m.), Ikaho Onsen Miharashita (arriving at 11:55 a.m.), Ikaho Stone Steps Street (arriving at 11:58 a.m.), and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (arriving at 1:05 p.m.), before arriving at the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal at 1:30 p.m. The return trip departs from the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal at 2:15 p.m., passes through the same stops, and arrives at Tokorozawa Station East Exit at 6:40 p.m.
Fares vary depending on the date of travel. As a general guide, advance tickets from Tokorozawa and Kawagoe to Kusatsu Onsen range from 3,000 to 3,800 yen (4,000 yen if purchased on board), and advance tickets to Ikaho Onsen range from 2,200 to 3,000 yen (3,000 yen if purchased on board). Reservations and ticket sales begin one month and one day prior to the travel date. Tickets can be purchased via online payment on the “Express Bus Net” reservation site, as well as at the Koei Kotsu Bus headquarters and the ticket counters at the JR Tokyo Station Express Bus Terminal.
Koei Kotsu Bus will be responsible for bus operations, using 38-passenger buses with four rows of seats in the JR Bus Kanto color scheme. The buses are fully equipped with restrooms and power outlets.
Additionally, starting on the same day, August 20, the current “Yumeguri Kawagoe–Omiya” service will suspend stops at Omiya Sonic City and Hotel Village, and will begin operating under a new name and schedule as the “Yumeguri Kawagoe–Takasaki,” which will run via the East Exit of Takasaki Station.
This route departs from the West Exit of Kawagoe Station at 8:20 a.m. and arrives at the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal at 12:15 p.m. The fare from Kawagoe to Kusatsu Onsen ranges from 3,000 to 3,800 yen when purchased in advance.
© Source travel watch