Day trip from Tokyo (Ebisu) to Kusatsu Onsen?

We would only walk around the town and visit some of the onsens. Unfortunately we are on a tight budget and have a points paid stay at Westin Ebisu so we can't overnight. Also our flight the next day is at 3pm, and I don't want to the stress of going straight from the Kusatsu Onsen to Narita.

Is it still possible? We would leave around 9:45am from Ebisu and catch the limited express at Omiya (using JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line(Via Utsunomiya Line) from Shinjuku), which Hyperdia puts an arrival time of 12:30, and thus arrival in town around 1pm.

Leaving around 4:40 pm, arrive back in Tokyo 9pm.

Is it a waste of time? Should we go to Hakone Yunnesan instead? That's 1.5 hr away instead, +1600 yen (bus fare) on top of JR Rail pass, with entrance fee of 2800 (I think there's a coupon on the website with lunch included for that price?). I wanted to make it happen for my Mom who really wants to go to Kusatsu (I do too), but it may be too stressful and a waste of entire day. To be fair, she is not interested in Tokyo (although we would be coming back from a trip in Kyoto).

Are there other natural onsens that are closer to Tokyo that would incur low transportation costs and would be more outdoors, and not be closed on Thursday? We would have a JRail Pass.

It sounds like too much effort if you don't stay overnight, and especially with such a late start in the morning.

I would suggest Hakone, instead. Here is a list of baths that are open to daytime vistors:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5209.html

Hi Uji,

Thanks for confirming it. I don't really want to start that late, for reason hyperdia says that's the earliest I can set out? I think the other option was starting out at 5:44am and arriving at the JR station at 9am, so that might work (it might a long day though).

*sigh* but Tenzan seems to be closed on Thursday according to their website. I guess Yuryo might be ok.

If we do Yunnesan though (since the swim suits might be a easier alternative for my relatives), could we do this :

http://www.yunessun.com/ticket/otoku1/busset.html

Although I guess we need to get to Hakone Yumoto first

Or maybe do this coupon which includes lunch? (or is it just lunch, wasn't quite clear)

http://www.yunessun.com/ticket/otoku1/choice_gentei-lunch.html

Here is a list that can help you.

http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/feature/536/Tokyos-top-onsen


This is a all in one onsen in central tokyo

Oedo Onsen Monogatari

http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/144

web site to Oedo Onsen Monogatari

http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/daiba/english/index.html

My mother doesn't want to go to Oedo one in Tokyo as she wants an outdoor onsen.

Now I regret paying for hotel in Kyoto, I should have just forgot about it and sucked it up and just picked Hakone or Kusatsu for a day trip. But I love Kyoto... oh well.

Have you tried to cancel the hotel, a credit card payment is usually for reservation, and payment is not deducted, it may be a free cancellation, you can check the hotel policy.

if not Oedo, maybe laQua also in Tokyo?

http://www.laqua.jp/spa_s/spazone.html

check the dates though, they're closed on certain days.