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
Situated in Kusatsu, 47 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park, Soumeian features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. This 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking ryokan has a hot spring bath. All rooms at the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At Soumeian rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 15 km from Soumeian. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 108 km from the ryokan.
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.
Located in Kusatsu, 46 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park, Oyado Yukizumi provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. This 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is set 14 km from Mt. Kusatsu Shirane. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. All guest rooms include a safety deposit box. An American breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. Oyado Yukizumi offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the accommodation.
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.
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.
Situated in Kusatsu, within 45 km of Jigokudani Monkey Park and 14 km of Mt. Kusatsu Shirane, Kusatsu Hotel Bekkan Wata no Yu (Adult Only) features accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the ryokan.
Located in Kusatsu, 46 km from Jigokudani Monkey Park, Urakusatsu TOU provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can have a drink at the bar. Guest rooms in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. At Urakusatsu TOU each room is fitted with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kusatsu, like skiing. Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 14 km from Urakusatsu TOU. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the ryokan.
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-use bath 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 20:00. Japanese cuisine is served in the privacy of the guestroom, while free coffee can be enjoyed in company of visiting birds at the Caf? Terrace. The Kusatsu Hotel is around a 5-minute walk from the Shirane Jinja Shrine and Sai-no-Kawara Hot Spring, and a 7-minute walk from Yubatake Hot Springs. Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station is a 25-minute bus ride away. 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. In-room massages and beauty salon services can be arranged for an additional fee. A souvenir shop is available on site.
Kusatsu KOTODAMA is a Japanese-style guest house that is located just a 4-minute walk away from Kustatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. The property is also a 10-minute walk from Yubatake hot springs field. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property. Shampoo and hairdryers are available at the shared shower room. Several hot springs baths are located within a walking distance from the property. The on-site kitchenette has a microwave, electric kettle, kitchenware and some cookware that guests are free to use. There is a supermarket within a minute's walking distance from the property. Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort is 1.2 km away.
Kusatsu onsen Futabaya offers accommodation in Kusatsu. Free private parking is available on site. There is 1 paid public bath facility and 3 free public bath facilities within a minute's walk from the property, while Yubatake is also a minute's stroll away. Each room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. Rooms come with a private bathroom equipped with a bath. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property. Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, restaurants, bars and convenience stores are located within walking distance from the accommodation. Yubatake is 100 metres from Kusatsu onsen Futabaya , while Kusatsu Onsen is 400 metres away.
best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
