Kusatsu has the largest natural flow of hot spring water in all of Japan, including the waters that surfaces at the Yubatake in the town center. The sulfurous, highly acidic waters have been considered among Japan's best for centuries, and the resort town has constantly occupied a top spot in onsen rankings. It is difficult to beat Kusatsu in terms of quality and quantity of its waters.
Kusatsu's waters can be enjoyed at the town's public baths and ryokan. The most prominent public baths are the Sainokawara Rotemburo (large outdoor pools in Sainokawara Park), the Otakinoyu with its unique Awaseyu baths that features multiple wooden pools with different water temperatures, and the Gozanoyu, a beautiful wooden building next to the Yubatake with two simple, traditional baths.
The Awaseyu indoor bath at the Otakinoyu bath house
Besides these three large public baths, there are more than a dozen small community bath houses scattered around town. Most of them are for exclusive use by local residents, but three of them, the Shirohatanoyu, Jizonoyu and Chiyonoyu, are also open to tourists. These community bath houses are free to use and have small, gender-separated pools that typically sit only 2-4 persons and are filled with very hot water.
Of course, Kusatsu's waters can also be enjoyed at ryokan baths across the town. While staying guests can use the baths for free during their entire stay, some ryokan also open their baths to non-staying visitors during daytime for a fee of typically 500 to 1500 yen.
Shirohatanoyu, one of Kusatsu's many small community bath houses
Lastly, there are a few foot baths (ashiyu) found in town that can be used freely by tourists. One of them stands next to the Yubatake and another one just outside the bus terminal building, while a large one is located in Sainokawara Park.
Other bath-related attractions in Kusatsu include Yumomi, a traditional method of cooling down the hot spring water to bathing temperature that includes dancing and singing. Performances are held daily and can be viewed at Netsunoyu.
Sainokawara Rotenburo••
15 minute walk from the Yubatake Hours: 7:00 to 20:00 (from 9:00 from Dec to Mar), entry until 19:30 Closed: No closing days Admission: 700 yen
This large public open air bath (rotenburo) in Sainokawara Park is one of Japan's largest and wide enough to accommodate more than 100 bathers. It offers nice seasonal views, especially of autumn colors in fall and snowy forests in winter.
Otakinoyu••
5 minute walk from the Yubatake Hours: 9:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:00) Closed: No closing days Admission: 980 yen
This public bath house offers a variety of gender separated indoor and outdoor baths. The main attraction is Awaseyu, traditional wooden indoor baths with multiple tubs with water differing in temperature (from 38 to 46 degrees).
Gozanoyu•
Next to the Yubatake Hours: 7:00 to 21:00 (from 8:00 from Dec to Mar), entry until 20:30 Admission: 700 yen (bath only), 2000 yen/hour for private tatami room
Opened in 2013 next to the Yubatake, this wooden bath house offers one stone bath and one wooden bath that are switched between the genders on a daily basis. Each bath consists of two pools that are fed by different types of thermal waters. There is a large tatami room for relaxation on the second floor, as well as a smaller tatami room that can be rented for private use.
Shirohatanoyu•
Next to the Yubatake Hours: 5:00 to 23:00 (closed for cleaning around 8:00) Admission: Free
One of the community bath houses open to tourists, the Shirohatanoyu is located right next to the Yubatake and the Gozanoyu bath house. It has two small baths that fit 2-4 people each. The water is very hot as it comes directly from the spring.
Jizonoyu•
5 minute walk from the Yubatake Hours: 8:00 to 22:00 Admission: Free
Jizonoyu is another of Kusatsu's community bath houses open to tourists. It lies just a five minute walk along a few side streets from the bottom of the Yubatake. Frequented by locals, the facility's small, gender-segregated baths are filled with very hot water from the spring in front of the building and fit about 4-6 people each. Jizonoyu is one of the local baths that offer Jikanyu timed bathing therapy sessions.
Ratings: best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
Located in Kusatsu in the Gunma region, Oyado Yukizumi provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking, as well as access to a hot spring bath. This 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 46 km away and Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 14 km from the ryokan. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. All units include a safety deposit box. An American breakfast, comprising fruits and juice is served daily at the property. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the ryokan.
Situated in Kusatsu in the Gunma region, Soumeian features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking, as well as access to a hot spring bath. This 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service. The accommodation provides private check-in and check-out and a shared lounge for guests. All units at the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, each unit has bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available each morning at the ryokan. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 47 km from Soumeian, while Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 15 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 108 km from the accommodation.
Kusatsu Onsen Eidaya is located in Kusatsu. The property is a 10-minute walk from Kusatsu Yubatake and Kusatsu-Onsen Bus Terminal. Guests can find a private hot spring bath and Japanese restaurant on site. At the ryokan, all rooms include a flat-screen TV, fridge and wardrobe. Certain rooms feature in-room hot spring bath, while some rooms offer a kitchen with a microwave. An Asian breakfast is served each morning at the property. The shared lounge area includes activities such as game consoles, board games and playing cards. Guests at Kusatsu Onsen Eidaya will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kusatsu, like skiing. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 78 km from Kusatsu Onsen Eidaya.
Hanaingen is an adult only accommodation situated in Kusatsu, just a 2-minute walk from Yubatake, or the hot water field in Kusatsu Onsen. Free private parking is available on site and free WiFi is available in all guest rooms. Guests who check-in before 18:00 will receive complimentary welcome sweets. Every room at this ryokan is air conditioned and comes with a TV. The entire property is non-smoking. There are 4 different types of private baths available on site that staying guests can use for free. The baths are equipped with shampoo, conditioner and soap created by Shiseido with Kusatsu Onsen. Complimentary breakfast that features healthy beans is provided at this property. Gozanoyu, a hot springs bath facility is a 2-minute walk away while Ohtakinoyu is a 7-minute walk from the property. Sainokawara open-air bath is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive from the property. Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort is 1.1 km from the property.
Set in Kusatsu, 47 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park, La Vista Kusatsu Hills offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service. The accommodation provides a sauna, hot spring bath, restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. At La Vista Kusatsu Hills all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 15 km from the accommodation. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from La Vista Kusatsu Hills.
Situated in Kusatsu, 45 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park and 14 km from Mt. Kusatsu Shirane, Kusatsu Hotel Bekkan Wata no Yu (Adult Only) offers air conditioning. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation features a lift and a housekeeping service for guests. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the ryokan.
4-star Tokinoniwa offers free internet access and flat-screen TVs in rooms, in the well-known hot spring area of Kusatsu. It features hot springs, free private parking and free shuttle. Tokinoniwa Ryokan is a 15-minute drive from Kusatsu Bus Station and a 5-minute drive from Kusatsufs city centre. Spacious rooms feature tatami flooring, futon bedding and a wooden bathtub in the bathroom. They are fitted with satellite channels and a refrigerator are provided. Guests can enjoy Tokinoniwafs indoor and outdoor hot springs as well as its sauna and massages. Free yukata rental is available. Souvenirs can be bought at the gift shop. Tokinoniwafs restaurant serves a Western or Japanese set menu for breakfast. It also offers traditional multicourse Japanese dinners. Drinks are available at the hotelfs sake bar.
Built in 1913, the Kusatsu Hotel exhibits the architectural style of the Japanese Taisho Era. Guests at the hotel can unwind in the indoor or outdoor public hot spring bath, a Private Hot spring or the soothing footbath. Only a few minutes' walk to Museum of Kataoka Tsurutaro, Sai-no-Kawara Park and Yubatake Hot Springs. The property offers free WIFI at the lobby, free parking and free pick-up from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal until 18:00. Rooms are decorated with a tatami (woven-straw) floor, shoji sliding paper screens and a low table with seating cushions. They have a seating area with a coffee table and chairs, traditional futon bedding and an attached toilet. Amenities include an LCD TV, a fridge and toiletries.
Kirishimaya Ryokan is located in the Kusatsu Onsen area, with views of the mountain and surrounding nature. Featuring public and hot-spring baths, the Japanese-style accommodation offers a massage service and free parking on site. Free WiFi is available in rooms. Rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring, traditional futon bedding and shoji paper screens. Each room is equipped with a fridge, a tea maker and a flat-screen TV. Guests can enjoy the areafs hiking trails, or relax with a massage. The hotelfs Shiriyaki-buro baths are said to help with back pain. A private hot-spring bath can be available, free of charge. Kirishimaya Ryokan is a 10-minute walk from Kusatsu-onsen bus terminal and a 25-minute bus ride from JR Naganohara Kusatsu Onsenguchi Train Station.
Located 46 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park, Urakusatsu TOU is a sustainable 4-star accommodation in Kusatsu, boasting a garden, a bar and private parking. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also welcomes guests with a traditional restaurant and a sun terrace. The ryokan features parking on-site, a public bath and a lift. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with bathrobes, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, every unit includes air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. There is a coffee shop on-site. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 14 km from the ryokan. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from Urakusatsu TOU.
best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
