Kusatsu Onsen to Yamanouchi monkey park

I am going to Japan for 8 days, 6 Jan to 14 Jan 2015. I'll be going to Kusatsu Onsen from Tokyo on 8 Jan 2015 for two days (staying 2 nights). My questions are:

- Is it possble to do a day side trip to Yamanouchi monkey park? From searching the web, looks like the the mountain road is close during winter time. Is there a alternate route apart from taking bus to karuizawa, then train to Nagano, then bus to Yamanounchi area. Which is at least a 4 hour trip.

- Is two days too long in Kusatsu? Is there much to see in the local town?

- I really like Takayama, is there other similar town in Kanto, Kansai or Chobu area? Other area is considerable as well.

- I have 4 days spare after Kusatsu onsen, is there other location recommend to go during winter? Is there much to see in Nagano?

Is it possble to do a day side trip to Yamanouchi monkey park? From searching the web, looks like the the mountain road is close during winter time.

Unfortunately, the direct road is closed, and travel between the two towns would require a huge detour. About 2-3 hours one way using expressways via Karuizawa. And you have to expect winter driving conditions that can further slow down the pace. And you have looked up accurately the time it would take by public transportation.

- Is two days too long in Kusatsu? Is there much to see in the local town?

It depends what you mean with "two days". Two full days with three overnight stays sounds too much to me unless you really want to relax and/or maybe do some skiing or other winter sports in addition to bathing.

On the other hand, one overnight stay is a must. The town itself can be seen in half a day unless you plan on doing winter sports or want to try out a lot of baths.

- I really like Takayama, is there other similar town in Kanto, Kansai or Chobu area? Other area is considerable as well.

What did you like about it? The old town? Here are other old towns across Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2422.html

- I have 4 days spare after Kusatsu onsen, is there other location recommend to go during winter? Is there much to see in Nagano?

Nagano is very popular for winter sports:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6090.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6026.html

Spending a few days in Nagano after Kusatsu would be really nice, and even though it is a long trip from Kusatsu, you could break it up a bit and enjoy it. For example, stay a night in Karuizawa, see the castle in Matsumoto, the big temple in Nagano City, and also go to Jigokudani Monkey Park, among other things. And of course, winter sports!

And you have to expect winter driving conditions that can further slow down the pace. And you have looked up accurately the time it would take by public transportation.

Thanks Uji, we're not planning to drive to Kusatsu as well as around the area. So might consider go back to Tokyo first then.

It depends what you mean with "two days".

8th Jan morning depart from Ueno arrive in Kusatsu around mid-day, stay there night 1.
9th Jan go around the town and enjoy onsen, stay same ryokan for night 2.
10th Jan check out from Ryokan and depart Kusatsu to next destination.

So its really 3 day 2 nights. Both of us is not winter sport fan and will not intend to do ski.

What did you like about it? The old town? Here are other old towns across Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2422.html

Very useful link, thank you.