草津温泉
Kusatsu Onsen
Gunma · kanto
Japan's most celebrated hot spring resort, with a giant steaming Yubatake hot spring field at the town's centre.
Who Kusatsu Onsen is for
Onsen enthusiasts and couples wanting the definitive ryokan and bath experience.
About Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu's Yubatake discharges 5,000 litres of water per minute. The water is extremely acidic (pH 2). The yumomi ceremony is performed three times daily.
Things to do
11 of 11Tap a tag to filter the list.
Yubatake
PopularCentral, man-made collection pool of geothermal water, surrounded by bath houses & traditional inns.
View on Google MapsSainokawara Open-Air Bath
Trails lead to open-air hot springs surrounded by seasonal foliage, plus shrines & statues.
View on Google MapsŌtaki no Yu
Spacious, traditional hot spring facility featuring many pools with different water temperatures.
View on Google MapsSainokawara Park
Urban park with bathing in naturally heated, steaming pools & walking trails in a forested valley.
View on Google MapsKusatsu Tropical Wonderland
Compact zoo under a dome heated by local hot springs, with a reptile house & small-animal feeding.
View on Google Maps
Your JP Adventure
Plan a trip to Kusatsu Onsen
Turn this into a day-by-day route. Tabi-Kun shapes a personalised Kusatsu Onsen itinerary around your dates, pace, and interests — free to start.
Plan a trip to Kusatsu Onsen →Getting around Kusatsu Onsen
The mountain resort is best navigated by local buses, which connect the main Yubatake hot spring field to outlying ryokan, hiking trails, and the JR Nagano Shinkansen station at nearby Karuizawa (roughly 90 minutes away). Buses typically run every 15 - 30 minutes during peak seasons and accept IC cards like Suica and Pasmo, or you can purchase individual tickets (around ¥200 - 400) at the station or convenience stores. Walking is highly recommended for exploring the compact onsen town itself - most lodgings, restaurants, and the iconic steaming Yubatake are within comfortable strolling distance of each other. Bicycle rentals are available near the town centre for around ¥1,000 per day, useful for reaching higher-elevation attractions and neighbouring scenic areas. Taxis operate in the town but are less essential than in smaller rural settlements; however, they're worth considering for rainy days or late-night returns from dining venues. For multi-day visitors, a local bus pass covering unlimited journeys typically costs around ¥2,000 - 3,000.
Best time to visit
The ideal months to visit are September through October and April through May, when mild temperatures and clear skies make exploring the famous Yubatake hot spring field and surrounding nature particularly pleasant. Autumn typically brings spectacular foliage around the onsen town, while spring offers cherry blossoms in lower elevations and comfortable hiking conditions. Avoid June and July due to the rainy season, August when peak heat and crowds descend, and September early in the month when typhoons occasionally strike. The Kusatsu Hōnō Matsuri (Fire Festival) typically occurs in late July and features traditional fire-walking ceremonies despite summer heat. Winter draws snow enthusiasts, though icy conditions can complicate exploration. Shoulder seasons like late April and early October offer particular advantages: fewer visitors than peak cherry blossom season, pleasant weather, and the chance to experience the geothermal landscape without overwhelming crowds or challenging conditions.
Where to stay
Most visitors base themselves near Yubatake, the famous steaming hot spring field at the town center, where traditional ryokan dominate and offer direct access to the iconic sulfurous waters and surrounding hiking trails. The main hot spring district tends toward mid-range to upscale ryokan, typically ¥12,000 - 25,000 per person with meals included, though business hotels and smaller inns offer budget alternatives around ¥8,000 - 15,000 for a double room. A quieter alternative lies in the residential areas slightly north of Yubatake, where vacation rentals and smaller family-run ryokan provide a more intimate atmosphere while remaining within a ten-minute walk of the main attractions. Transport is straightforward - most accommodations sit within easy reach of Kusatsu Station by local bus, and the compact layout means central attractions like the hot spring field, Sainokawara Park, and nearby nature walks are accessible on foot or via short shuttle rides.
What to eat
Kusatsu's most famous local dish is yumomi udon, thick noodles traditionally cooled in the mineral-rich hot spring water itself, offering a unique texture and subtle thermal experience that visitors won't find elsewhere. Beyond noodles, the town excels in hearty comfort foods like miso-based ramen and fresh soba, perfect for warming up after soaking in the onsens. The main shopping street near Yubatake hot spring field hosts numerous casual eateries and food stalls where you can grab quick bites between baths. Local sake breweries dot the area, and sampling regional brews pairs beautifully with seasonal kaiseki dinners at ryokan inns, though casual bowls of udon or ramen typically cost ¥800 - 1,200. For budget-conscious travelers, standing noodle shops and convenience stores offer affordable options, while the numerous onsen tamago (hot spring eggs) sold at street stalls provide an inexpensive, iconic snack that embodies the area's geothermal culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
More in kanto
View more →Chichibu
秩父
Kanto · Saitama
A mountain basin with limestone gorges, a 34-temple pilgrimage route, and Japan's most dazzling winter fireworks.
Minakami
みなかみ
Kanto · Gunma
An adventure tourism and onsen town in northern Gunma, with whitewater rafting, canyoning, and ski resorts.
Hakone
箱根
Kanto · Kanagawa
A volcanic mountain resort within sight of Mt. Fuji, with excellent onsen, an open-air museum, and a famous ropeway.
Ome
青梅
Kanto · Tokyo
A retro-Showa market town in western Tokyo Prefecture, gateway to the Okutama mountain valley.
Share
Send this to anyone considering Kusatsu Onsen.