Kusatsu Onsen: Everything You Need Before Visiting

Q: Why is Kusatsu Onsen famous?

Kusatsu Onsen is famous because it has the most natural hot spring water in Japan. The water is very hot, around 55 degrees Celsius, and has high acidity. Many people believe it helps cure different health issues and is great for your skin. Another special attraction in Kusatsu is the traditional method of cooling the hot water called "yumomi." Many people come here to watch the stirring of hot spring baths with big wooden paddles to make it cooler so you can enjoy it. This unique tradition adds to the charm of the town.

Q: Is Kusatsu Onsen tattoo-friendly?

Yes, Kusatsu Onsen is known for being one of the most tattoo-friendly onsen towns in Japan. Many of the local baths and ryokan (traditional inns) allow guests with tattoos to enter the hot springs. This makes it a convenient destination for international tourists.

Q: How many days do you need in Kusatsu Onsen?

To enjoy Kusatsu Onsen, plan for a three-day weekend visit. You'll have enough time to explore the hot spring town, visit Sainokawara Park, join local events like the Shirane Shrine Festival, and go skiing at Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort. Plus, staying longer means you can try out the different hot springs all around the town.

Q: How to get to Kusatsu Onsen?

To get to Kusatsu Onsen, take a direct express train from Ueno Train Station in Tokyo to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station, which takes about two and a half hours. From there, a connecting 25-minute bus ride will take you to the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, which is just a short walk away from the hot springs.

Q: Where to stay in Kusatsu Onsen?

Kusatsu Onsen has many places to stay that fit different tastes and budgets. You can choose a traditional ryokan, which often has a private hot spring bath, for a real Japanese experience. There are also modern hotels, guesthouses, and minshuku, which are family-run inns. Each place offers special amenities and easy access to the town’s healing hot springs.

Q: Where to eat in Kusatsu Onsen?

Dining in Kusatsu Onsen is a real treat with lots of local favorites. You can try onsen tamago, which are eggs cooked in hot spring water, and onsen manju, yummy steamed buns filled with sweet bean paste. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy sushi, tempura, and noodle dishes. Plus, there are cozy cafes and shops where you can taste local snacks.

Kusatsu Onsen Tickets & Tours

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Tokyo Departure | Nikko/Karuizawa/Gunma/Yokohama Customized Private Car Charter Day Trip

Klook's choice

Tours • From Tokyo

Tokyo Departure | Nikko/Karuizawa/Gunma/Yokohama Customized Private Car Charter Day Trip

Book now for tomorrow

Hotel pick-up

Private tour

4.8 / 5

(14) • 100+ booked

From

RM 1,395.65

Tours • From Tokyo

[Private Chartered Car] Tokyo City to Tokyo Disneyland/Mount Fuji/Karuizawa/Nagano/Niigata and other areas

Book now for tomorrow

Hotel pick-up

English guided

4.9 / 5

(24) • 300+ booked

RM 438.25

Tours • From Tokyo

Kamikochi & Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Tour (From Tokyo)

English guided

Free cancellation

4.7 / 5

(174) • 2K+ booked

RM 1,073.59

Tours • From Nagoya

2D1N Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route & Kamikochi Trip from Nagoya

English guided

Free cancellation

4.7 / 5

(112) • 2K+ booked

RM 1,231.75

Tours • Agatsuma (From Kusatsu)

Gunma Bar Hopping Tour in Kusatsu

Book now for tomorrow

English guided

Up to 3 hrs

New Activity

RM 518.65

Where to stay in Kusatsu Onsen

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Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Daitokan

Instant confirmation

3.8 / 5

(691)

From

RM 380

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Yoshinoya

Instant confirmation

4.1 / 5

(157)

From

RM 520.43

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village

Instant confirmation

4.1 / 5

(167)

From

RM 533.9

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Inn Konoha

Instant confirmation

4.4 / 5

(108)

From

RM 868.19

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Boun

Instant confirmation

4.6 / 5

(275)

From

RM 1,235.43

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Sakurai

Instant confirmation

4.6 / 5

(368)

From

RM 1,118.3

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Gensen Ichinoyu

Instant confirmation

4.5 / 5

(297)

From

RM 674.04

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen 326 Yamanoyu Hotel

Instant confirmation

4.4 / 5

(12)

From

RM 373.82

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu-Onsen Aeruyado Takamatsu

Instant confirmation

From

RM 805.99

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Eidaya

Instant confirmation

4.8 / 5

(112)

From

RM 762.81

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Kusatsu Sky Land Hotel

Instant confirmation

From

RM 585.86

Hotels • Agatsuma

Kusatsu Onsen Futabaya

Instant confirmation

4.7 / 5

(258)

From

RM 360.57

More to explore

Buses • Kitasaku (From Nagano)

Kusakaru Kotsu Karuizawa-Kusatsu Onsen Route Bus One-way Ticket

Book now for tomorrow

Instant confirmation

4.0 / 5

(3) • 50+ booked

RM 58.09

Klook User

2026-04-15 08:48:51

Fantastic 5.0

This was an amazing day in Nikko and surrounding area. Pick up was punctual and as discussed. Our driver took us to few amazing places and gave us a time to explore. No rushing, no chasing, relax and enjoyable trip. We recommend to anyone!

Tokyo Departure | Nikko/Karuizawa/Gunma/Yokohama Customized Private Car Charter Day Trip

Klook User

2026-04-16 08:30:23

Fantastic 5.0

Arrived early, good communication, and patient with the passengers (we had 2 children in the van). thank you!!!

[Private Chartered Car] Tokyo City to Tokyo Disneyland/Mount Fuji/Karuizawa/Nagano/Niigata and other areas

Kwok *********

2026-05-30 08:16:53

Fantastic 5.0

The tour guide for this group was from Hong Kong. Sheila, our guide, was very thoughtful. She reminded us that the bus ride would be long and advised us to buy food at a convenience store to eat if we got hungry. The trip was very comfortable, and the tour bus was spacious with plenty of room, so it didn't feel crowded. Every 2 to 3 hours, there was a rest stop where we could buy snacks and use the restroom. On the first day, we visited Kamikochi. The itinerary was well-planned, and we got to see all the intended sights. The weather that day was perfect, neither too hot nor too cold. The scenery in Kamikochi is beautiful and well worth a visit; I recommend it to everyone. Our first night's accommodation was a hot spring ryokan in Hakuba Onsen. The buffet was delicious, with a wide variety of food. On the second day, we went to Tateyama Kurobe. Unfortunately, the weather was bad, and the Snow Valley was closed, which gives us a reason to visit again in the future. We returned to Tokyo around 7 PM after the trip concluded. Our guide, Sheila, also recommended some good restaurants to try in Tokyo. We followed her advice and went to a beef tongue restaurant, which was quite tasty. We are very grateful to our guide for providing us with such an enjoyable two-day, one-night trip.

Kamikochi & Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Tour (From Tokyo)

SZE **********

2026-05-29 00:37:28

Fantastic 5.0

The itinerary was rich and well-timed. Itinerary: On the first day, we had a relaxed 3-hour hike, followed by a buffet dinner and hot spring bath at the hotel. I recommend setting aside time to grab a bite near Kappa Bridge. The second day primarily involved taking various modes of transportation up the mountain and enjoying the scenery. The entire trip was comfortable and easy to complete. Accommodation: We were arranged to stay at the Hakuba Tokyu Resort, a hot spring hotel. It was a bit old but comfortable, and both dinner and breakfast were delicious. Tour Guide: The only minor drawback was that the tour guide didn't pay much attention to the guests, and communication could be improved. Meeting points were not communicated clearly or were changed arbitrarily. For example, on several occasions, we were told to wait at a shop entrance, but the guide would then just get on the tour bus themselves.

2D1N Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route & Kamikochi Trip from Nagoya

Klook User

2026-07-05 05:31:32

Great 4.0

Going here on a solo trip, I wasnt sure what to expect. It seems to be more of a hotel set for families rather than solo visitors, but it still worked.

Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village

Klook会員

2026-07-24 13:46:13

Fantastic 5.0

The room felt more spacious than it appeared in the website photos, and it was perfectly adequate for a solo stay. Overall, it was very clean, and I had a comfortable experience.

Kusatsu Onsen 326 Yamanoyu Hotel

Yubatake

50+ visitors

Karuizawa Snow Park

411K+ visitors

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

76K+ visitors

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

76K+ visitors

Shiga Kogen

3K+ visitors

Naeba Ski Resort

409K+ visitors

Karuizawa

437K+ visitors

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

412K+ visitors

Kagura Tashiro Ski Resort

100+ visitors

Sakae

50+ visitors

Why is Kusatsu Onsen famous?

Is Kusatsu Onsen tattoo-friendly?

How many days do you need in Kusatsu Onsen?

How to get to Kusatsu Onsen?

Where to stay in Kusatsu Onsen?

Where to eat in Kusatsu Onsen?

Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan's most famous hot springs, located in Gunma Prefecture. It has the largest natural flow of hot spring water in the country, which comes out at the Yubatake in the town center. The water is rich in sulfur and very acidic, making it known as some of the best hot spring water in Japan for hundreds of years. When you visit Kusatsu Onsen, you'll find plenty to do all year round. In winter, you can relax in open-air baths, and some even welcome people with tattoos. Since the town sits 1,200 meters above sea level, it's also the perfect place to enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. In the warmer months, you can enjoy hiking, biking, and golfing. The town has charming shops and restaurants where you can buy souvenirs and try local food. With so much to explore, Kusatsu Onsen is a must-visit spot in Japan for fun all year long!

Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Top Attractions in Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Hot Springs

Come try the town's therapeutic hot spring water known for its high acidity and health benefits. You can enjoy these hot springs in many places around the town. There are public baths you can visit, or private baths in ryokan inns. The special waters here are believed to heal different aches and pains and make you feel refreshed

Yubatake

The Yubatake, which means "hot water field," is the main attraction in Kusatsu Onsen. This big wooden structure is where the hot spring water cools down before going to the baths in town. You can watch the steam rise and even try some eggs boiled in the hot spring water, called onsen tamago. At night, the lights make the Yubatake look even more beautiful, making it great for photos.

Mount Shirane

Visit Mount Shirane, where you can explore an active volcano and see the beautiful Lake Yugama. The hiking trails have amazing views of the Gunma Prefecture, perfect for anyone who loves nature. In winter, the mountain becomes a hotspot for skiing and fun winter sports.

SainoKawara Park

Take a walk through Sainokawara Park, a beautiful place with lots of green plants and steam rising from hot springs. The park has the Sainokawara Open Air Bath, one of the biggest outdoor baths in Japan. You can relax in the warm water while enjoying the beauty of nature and listening to the sound of water flowing.

Kusatsu Ski Resort

For anyone who loves winter fun, the Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort is a great place to visit. It has fantastic ski slopes and lots of cool facilities. With different runs for every skill level, both beginners and experts can enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

Kusatsu Onsen

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Why is Kusatsu Onsen famous?

Is Kusatsu Onsen tattoo-friendly?

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How to get to Kusatsu Onsen?

Where to stay in Kusatsu Onsen?

Where to eat in Kusatsu Onsen?

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Top Attractions in Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Hot Springs

Yubatake

Mount Shirane

SainoKawara Park

Kusatsu Ski Resort

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