Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort (草津国際スキー場, Kusatsu Kokusai Skījō) is located on the slopes of Mount Shirane above the town of Kusatsu Onsen. The resort is not far from Kusatsu's famous hot spring baths, where it is popular to take a long hot soak after a day of hitting the slopes.

Following an unexpected volcanic eruption in January 2018, the upper part of the ski resort, including its main gondola lift, had to be closed, but the resort continues to offer multiple lifts and runs on its lower section. In the summer, the resort offers various outdoor activities, such as mini golf, grass cart and mountain boarding.

Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort
Kusatsu Kokusai is a small resort, located just minutes from the famous baths of Kusatsu Onsen. Lift ticket prices are lowered during the shoulder seasons.
Season*
Mid December to Early April
(December 19, 2024 to April 6, 2025)
Lifts
7 lifts
Tickets
Full day 5400 yen
Half day 4700 yen
Nighter 2000 yen
Access
Bus/Train Five minutes by free shuttle bus from the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. Alternatively, the resort is a 20-30 minute walk from central Kusatsu.
* Season dates may be adjusted due to lack of snow. Check before going.

Getting there and around

A free shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes between the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and the ski resort (5 minutes). Alternatively, the resort is a 20-30 minute walk from central Kusatsu.

How to get to and around Kusatsu Onsen

Hotels around Kusatsu Onsen

Top rated in Kusatsu Onsen
Budget:
    • Oyado Yukizumi
      Mid-range
      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. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 46 km from the ryokan, while Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 14 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 107 km from the property.
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    • Soumeian
      Mid-range
      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. Guests can also relax in the garden. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 47 km from the ryokan, while Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 15 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 108 km away.
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    • Kusatsu Onsen Eidaya
      Mid-range
      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.
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    • Kusatsu Hotel Bekkan Wata no Yu (Adult Only)
      Mid-range
      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. Matsumoto Airport is 107 km from the property.
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    • Hanaingen
      Mid-range
      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.
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    • La Vista Kusatsu Hills
      Luxury
      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. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 15 km from La Vista Kusatsu Hills. Matsumoto Airport is 107 km away.
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    • Kusatsu Onsen Kusatsu Hotel1913
      Luxury
      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 Yubatake Hot Springs and Sai-no-Kawara Park. The property offers free WIFI at the lobby, free parking and free pick-up from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal until 18:00.
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    • Kirishimaya Ryokan
      Mid-range
      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 area’s hiking trails, or relax with a massage. The hotel’s 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.
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    • Ryokan Tamura
      Mid-range
      Offering free WiFi, Ryokan Tamura offers accommodation in Kusatsu, 600 metres from Kusatsu Nettaiken and 2.1 km from Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort. Popular points of interest around the property include Yubatake and Kusatsu Onsen. All rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. Each room includes a shared bathroom. Guest rooms are fitted with a seating area. Guests can make use of the hot spring bath. Skiing is among the activities that guests can enjoy near Ryokan Tamura. Omote Manza is 18 km from the accommodation, while Manza Onsen is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 108 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Sakurai
      Luxury
      Boasting a hot spring open-air bath, Hotel Sakurai is located a 10-minute walk from the Yubatake hot water field. Guests can enjoy swimming in the outdoor pool during summer. Free pick-up service from the Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal is offered upon request. Free WiFi is available. Each room here will provide you with air conditioning. There is also a refrigerator. Featuring a bath or shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. You can enjoy mountain view from the room. Extras include bed linen and a fan. At Hotel Sakurai you will find a garden, a bar and a snack bar. Other facilities offered at the property include entertainment staff, a shared lounge and a games room. The property offers free parking. The ryokan is conveniently located a 3-minute walk from the Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal and a 20-minute drive away from JR Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station. A Japanese buffet-style meal will be served for breakfast/dinner at the restaurant.
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