How to get to Kusatsu Onsen
By Train and Bus via Naganohara
Trains go as far as Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, from where there are JR buses to Kusatsu Onsen (30 minutes, 670 yen). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the buses between Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station and Kusatsu Onsen.
There are various ways to get from Tokyo to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. The most convenient is by direct limited express train from Ueno Station in central Tokyo, requiring 2.5 hours and costing about 5000 yen for the one way trip. There are four to five round trips per day.
Alternatively, you can do the whole trip by local trains, which takes about four hours, requires a transfer of trains at Takasaki and cost 2940 yen one way. Faster and more expensive is taking the shinkansen to Takasaki and transfer there to a train to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station.
By Train and Bus via Karuizawa
Take the Nagano Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa (70 minutes, around 5500 yen) and a bus (Seibu Kogen Bus or Kusakaru Kotsu) from Karuizawa to Kusatsu Onsen (80-100 minutes, 2200-3770 yen). The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on the buses between Karuizawa and Kusatsu.
By Bus
There are multiple direct JR highway buses from Tokyo (Shinjuku JR Highway Bus Terminal) to Kusatsu each day. The one way trip costs 3200 yen and takes about four hours. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on these buses.
A cheaper alternative to the JR buses is the Spa Resort Liner, a highway bus that operates once daily between Shinjuku and Kusatsu Onsen. The Spa Resort Liner costs 2500 yen one way (2000 yen on weekdays outside the travel peak seasons), and advance reservations are required.
There is also one daily highway bus between Nagoya and Kusatsu, requiring six hours and costing 6000 yen for the one way trip.
Orientation
Kusatsu is a compact, small town with the yubatake (hot water field) in its center. Most attractions and ryokan in the town center are easily accessible on foot. Mount Shirane is located about a 30 minute bus or car ride outside the town center.
Map of central Kusatsu:
