Enjoy "Onsen" and the food as you explore the town of Kusatsu.
For traveler friendly "washoku" info
For traveler friendly "washoku" info
Kusatsu's hot springs see the largest volume of spring water in Japan, over 32,000L, gush from the earth per minute. That's enough to fill 230,000 drum barrels a day!
What's more, the water quality is amazing with the Yubatake hot spring boasting the leading acidity level in Japan. At pH 2.1 it has wonderful antibacterial properties. The renowned Kusatsu Onsen has been healing people in body and spirit for many, many years.
(*Japan's top 3 hot springs: Gero Onsen, Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen)
The yubatake (hot water field) located in the middle of Kusatsu town is the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen. With 4000L of hot spring water gushing from it every minute, clouds of steam constantly rise into the air. After a bath, enjoy strolling through the park surrounding the Yubatake and take in sights including paths paved with tiles, stone fences, and the Shiranezan bench which symbolizes Mt Shirane.
Enjoy a yumomi (water stirring) show presented by the women of Yumomi along with the Kusatsubushi song (folk song of Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma prefecture). You may also stir the water yourself, experiencing Kusatsu Onsen's tradition with your own hands. There are also opportunities to pose with a stirring paddle for a commemorative photo.
(Yumomi and dance show: 20min / Yumomi stirring experience: 10min)
Yumomi and dance show :
Times: 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30
Yumomi stirring experience :
Available Sat, Sun and holidays from 11:30 to 13:45.
The Warehouse of Glassworks (Kusatsu) :
Purchase products crafted with glass (cups, sake sets, accessories etc.) or make your own glass beads. Create your very own original artwork or accessory such as a glass bead threaded on a leather strap for your phone.
Kusatsu Onsen is known for its maitake (mushroom) tempura. The tempura is available at the soba shops near the Yubatake. The freshly deep-fried mushrooms are fleshly, the aroma mouth-watering and the tempura batter crunchy. The tempura is delicious either with salt or dipped in the sauce that comes with your soba.
Being a hot spring area, you may also enjoy snacking on "onsen manju" (sweet bean buns cooked in the steam of the hot springs), "onsen tamago" (eggs boiled in the hot waters of the springs) or fresh "osenbei" rice crackers as you stroll around.
"On top of an unparalleled hot spring, at Kusatsu we have Japan's finest mountain air and the most ideal water for drinking. If we were in Europe, we'd be busier than Karlschule spa!"
Greatly admired by physician to the Meiji and Taisho emperors, professor Erwin von Bälz, and introduced to the world as a hot spring health resort, Kusatsu Onsen pioneered Japanese hot spring resorts and today enjoys the favor of many, many customers.
Please visit Kusatsu Onsen, a town of hot springs, mountain plateaus, sports and culture.
"Peace to those who come, happiness to those who go" (Town charter)
Train :
The closest stations are Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi station by conventional train and Karuizawa station by bullet train. When you get off the train, please transfer to the bus bound for Kusatsu Onsen and get off at the Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal.
Taking the Kusatsu Express train
Take the train from Ueno to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and transfer to the bus to Kusatsu Onsen
Taking the Hokuriku bullet train
Take the train from Tokyo to Karuizawa and transfer to the bus to Kusatsu Onsen
Highway bus :
Please take the "Joshu meguri go"
from Shinjuku to Kusatsu Onsen
Restaurants listed on Taberukoto provide all information a traveller may need and will have English menus so you can enjoy a stress-free meal.
