Kusatsu Onsen: Getting there and around
How to get to Kusatsu Onsen
By train and bus via Naganohara
Trains travel as far as Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, from where there are JR buses to Kusatsu Onsen (30 minutes, 710 yen). The train journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass, but the bus ride is covered only by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass and JR East Tohoku Area Pass.
There are various ways to get from Tokyo to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. The most convenient is by direct limited express train from Tokyo's Ueno Station, requiring 2.5 hours and costing about 5000 yen one way. But there are only around three 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 3080 yen one way. Faster and more expensive is taking the shinkansen to Takasaki and transfer there to a local train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi.
By train and bus via Karuizawa
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa (70 minutes, around 5500 yen) and then a bus (Seibu Bus or Kusakaru Kotsu) from Karuizawa to Kusatsu Onsen (80-100 minutes, 2240 yen). JR passes are not valid on the buses between Karuizawa and Kusatsu.
By highway bus
There are multiple JR highway buses from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) to Kusatsu per day. The one way trip costs around 3500-4000 yen depending on date of travel and takes about four hours. JR passes are not valid on these buses. In addition, a few other bus companies operate buses between Shibuya (Mark City) and Kusatsu (4.5 hours, 3600 yen one way), which can be reserved online via Willer.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
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:
Map of the Mount Shirane area:
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Kusatsu Onsen
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SoumeianSituated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu Onsen EidayaKusatsu 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.View on Booking.com -
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Oyado YukizumiLocated 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.View on Booking.com -
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HanaingenHanaingen 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.View on Booking.com -
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Tokinoniwa4-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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu Hotel Bekkan Wata no Yu (Adult Only)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.View on Booking.com -
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Urakusatsu TOULocated 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu HotelBuilt 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu KOTODAMAKusatsu 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu onsen FutabayaKusatsu 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.View on Booking.com
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