JP · Gunma Prefecture · 36.62°N 138.60°E

kusatsu onsen

One of Japan's top onsen towns, built around a steaming yubatake hot water field.

Best time
Any time. Winter is snowy and the baths feel best, with skiing just above town, and autumn colour peaks in October. At about 1,200 metres up, summers are cool.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly to Tokyo (about 7 hours from KL). Direct highway buses from Shinjuku take about 4 hours. By train, take a limited express from Ueno to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi (about 2.5 hours), then a bus up the hill (about 25 minutes). Buses also run from Karuizawa.
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JP · Gunma Prefecturekusatsu onsen36.62°N 138.60°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,One of Japan's top onsen towns, built around a steaming yubatake hot water field.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKusatsu OnsenJP, Gunma Prefecture
KLkusatsu onsen
≈ 5,300 km from KL, as the crow flies
Kusatsu, Gunma

Photo: Aw1805 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A mountain hot spring town in Gunma, often ranked among Japan's best. It's built around the yubatake, a steaming field of wooden channels carrying piping-hot spring water through the centre of town, and its strongly acidic water is said to cure every ill except lovesickness.

Makan

  1. Onsen manjuSteamed buns with red bean filling, sold hot around the yubatake.Map ↗
  2. Onsen tamagoEggs slow-cooked in the hot spring water, with soft, custardy yolks.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. YubatakeThe steaming hot water field in the town square, lit up beautifully at night.Map ↗
  2. Yumomi showAt Netsunoyu, performers stir the hot water with long wooden boards and sing to cool it down.Map ↗
  3. Sainokawara ParkA park with a steaming stream and a big outdoor bath in the woods.Map ↗
  4. Public bathhousesSmall local bathhouses dotted around town. Some are very hot, so test first.Map ↗
  5. Kusatsu ski resortSki slopes just above town in winter, an easy add-on to a bath trip.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The water is very acidic. Take off silver jewellery before bathing, and rinse off afterwards if your skin is sensitive.
  • Check volcano notices for nearby Mount Kusatsu-Shirane. Roads and trails near the crater can be closed.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.