How to go to Kusatsu Onsen from Matsumoto

Hi
I plan to travel to Kusatsu Onsen from Matsumoto by train and bus in oct.2013.
Can you provide me with the timetable for the train and bus service for this route.
Is the train and bus cover by the JR Pass.
Thank

I recommend to take the limited express train from Matsumoto to Nagano and then the shinkansen to Karuizawa from where you can take a bus to Kusatsu. The bus is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Train timetables:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

Bus timetable:
weekdays: http://www.kkkg.co.jp/bus/timetable/kk-weekday-h25.html
weekends:
http://www.kkkg.co.jp/bus/timetable/kk-weekend-h25.html

You could do the trip entirely by Japan Rail Pass by making a large detour via Takasaki and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, but I would not recommend it.

Thank You very much, Uji

Thinking about it once more. If saving some money is important to you, and you have a convenient connection from Takasaki to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and on by JR bus to Kusatsu, the detour via Takasaki would not be too bad of an idea, after all. If saving money is important to you, it may worth looking up the connections and compare. The trip via Takasaki would be fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Thank again, Uji