No. 1 · Gunma
Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen ranked No. 1 in the published 2025 Japan hot-spring destination list. Check bathing options, access and stay details before planning your visit.
Spring information
Water and bathing details for Kusatsu Onsen
Facility-level figures; blank town-wide averages are not inferred.
Kusatsu’s public baths and inns draw from different local sources. The figures below describe the named facility or source, not every bath in town.
| Facility | Spring | Source data | Supply | Bath type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naraya | Shirahata source; acidic sulfur–aluminium–sulfate–chloride spring | Source temperature: 55–56°C at the source; cooled to 46–47°C overnight before distribution pH: Not published on the cited page | The inn lets the water cool naturally, holds it in two tanks overnight, then feeds the baths continuously as free-flowing spring water. It adjusts flow by weather to keep the baths around 41–42°C. | Separate men’s and women’s public baths with indoor and outdoor pools; three private open-air baths are also listed. |
| Ohtakinoyu | Nikawa source; acidic sulfur spring | Source temperature: Not published; the official page describes it as a high-temperature source pH: 2.1 | The official facility says the source is used as free-flowing spring water, without dilution; it cools naturally as it passes through the baths. | Men’s and women’s large baths, open-air baths, a five-stage Awase-yu sequence, sauna and a private bath. |
Destination comparison
What this onsen town offers
History
92/100Spring character
96/100Town culture
95/100Seasonal scenery
92/100Access
68/100Local history
How the town developed
Kusatsu’s history reaches back to early Japanese tradition. The local tourism association records that Minamoto no Yoritomo visited in 1193. By the Edo period, Kusatsu was a well-known destination for therapeutic bathing, with Yubatake and yumomi becoming central to town life. As transport improved, the spring sources, public baths, inns and streets grew into the walkable hot-spring town visitors see today.
Four seasons
Seasonal conditions and travel rhythm
Snow can linger into spring. Late spring is more comfortable for longer walks.
The mountain air is cooler, though school holidays and weekends bring more visitors.
Temperatures fall during the autumn-colour season; bring an extra layer for mornings and evenings.
Snow gives the town its winter look. Allow extra time for walking and transport.
Plan your stay
Kusatsu Onsen: day trip or overnight?
Compare travel time, bath access and the time you want to spend in town.
Day trip
Check the first and last transport connections, then confirm which baths accept day visitors and when they stop admitting guests.
Getting to Kusatsu Onsen Without a Car: Three Routes from TokyoOne-night stay
Compare the ryokan’s bath access with public day-use options and the journey back to your next stop.
Aeruyado Takamatsu in Kusatsu: Rooms, Baths and the Two-Building Trade-OffStay plus a day bath
Choose one bath experience for your stay and use a day facility for a different source or setting, where the published details support it.
Getting to Kusatsu Onsen Without a Car: Three Routes from TokyoRyokan and stay details
Check the room and bathing arrangements for the plan you book.
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma
Naraya
A Japanese-style ryokan near Yubatake; only selected room types have a semi-open-air bath.
Planning note Check the room and bath setup for the exact plan you intend to book.
View ryokan detailsRelated guides
Guides to Kusatsu Onsen
Filter English guides by the question you need to answer.
Destinations & itinerariesWhich Gunma Onsen Should You Choose? Kusatsu, Ikaho, Shima, Minakami and Manza
Compare Gunma’s onsen areas: Kusatsu’s walkable town, Ikaho’s steps, Shima’s valley, Minakami’s wide region and high-altitude Manza.
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ComparisonsJapan’s 2026 Onsen Ranking for Travellers in Their 20s
Jalan’s 2026 survey ranked Hakone first among people in their 20s, then Kusatsu, Atami, Dogo and Gero. See what the poll measured and how routes differ.
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Destinations & itinerariesWhich Kanto Onsen Fits Your Tokyo Trip?
Choose a Kanto onsen by the time you have: Tokyo baths for a few spare hours, Hakone for a day trip, or Kusatsu for an onsen-town stay.
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Ryokan staysAeruyado Takamatsu in Kusatsu: Rooms, Baths and the Two-Building Trade-Off
Compare Aeruyado Takamatsu’s two-building bath access, room types, Yubatake-spring tubs, meal locations, shuttle and current rates.
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Destinations & itinerariesHow to Work Around Crowds in Kusatsu: Yubatake, Ura-Kusatsu and Sainokawara
Use Kusatsu’s live cameras and a flexible route between Yubatake, Ura-Kusatsu and Sainokawara to spend less time in crowded bottlenecks.
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Ryokan staysB/C Hotel Kusatsu: A Practical Guide to the Baths, Shuttle and Breakfast
Check B/C Hotel Kusatsu’s guest-only baths, one alternating sauna, breakfast slots, dog rules and temporary shuttle stop before booking.
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Spring waterKusatsu Onsen Boun: Two Springs, Six Public Baths and the Right Room
Every Boun new main-building room has a free-flowing spring bath; other categories differ. Compare the two springs, six public baths and access.
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Private bathsBUNA KUSATSU: A Small Guesthouse with Two Lockable Onsen Baths
BUNA KUSATSU has two lockable shared onsen baths, not in-room tubs; rooms are upstairs, bathrooms are shared and the walk from Yubatake climbs uphill.
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Ryokan staysStaying at Daitokan: Yubatake at the Door and Baths at Sister Hotels
Daitokan is beside Yubatake with access to sister-hotel baths; rooms have no listed private onsen, and the building is older with remote parking.
Read the guideComparisonsKusatsu Onsen Day Trip or Overnight? How Much Time Does Each Need?
Compare a Kusatsu day trip for Yubatake, one bath and a meal with an overnight stay that leaves time for an evening walk and morning soak.
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Private bathsIs Kusatsu Onsen Inn Eidaya a Good Fit? Private Baths, Room Types and Stairs
Eidaya offers three private baths and selected rooms with spring tubs; most rooms lack an in-room onsen, and stairs may affect access.
Read the guideFamilies & accessibilityKusatsu Onsen with Children: Choosing a Stay Around Baths, Age Rules and Activities
Compare Kusatsu ryokan for families by in-room baths, pools, activities and child amenities at Tokinoniwa, Hotel Village and Hotel Ichii.
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Private bathsFutabaya in Kusatsu: A Simple Stay Near Yubatake with a Private Bath
Futabaya is a compact room-only base near Yubatake with small private spring baths; breakfast is not guaranteed and full ryokan service is absent.
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Private bathsHanaingen Kusatsu: Four Free Private Baths beside Yubatake
Hanaingen’s four free private baths use Yubatake spring water but are shared, not in-room. The inn is a short walk from Yubatake and the bus terminal.
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Spring waterKusatsu Hotel 1913: Two Springs, a Historic Wooden Inn and Room Baths
Compare Kusatsu Hotel 1913’s two spring-fed public baths, bookable private baths and room-specific tubs; note that its older wooden buildings have no lift.
Read the guideSpring waterKusatsu Hotel Annex Watanoyu: Two Springs, a View Bath and an Adults-Only Stay
Watanoyu is an adults-only annex with two free-flowing spring sources; its west-wing view bath is not an in-room onsen.
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ComparisonsHotel Ichii or Kusatsu Hotel 1913? Compare Baths, Rooms and Yubatake Access
Compare Hotel Ichii by Yubatake with Kusatsu Hotel 1913 farther west, including spring-fed public baths, private baths and in-room onsen.
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Spring waterHotel Ichii in Kusatsu: Yubatake-View Rooms and Two Hot Springs
Hotel Ichii faces Yubatake, but only 23 rooms have a direct view. Its indoor bath uses Shirahata spring; the outdoor bath draws Bandai-kō.
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Spring waterHotel Sakurai in Kusatsu: What the Three Springs and 30-Metre Bath Mean for Your Stay
Hotel Sakurai has a large shared bath fed by three Kusatsu springs; rooms with open-air tubs do not have a confirmed natural-spring supply.
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Spring waterHotel SPAX Kusatsu: 24-Hour Hot-Spring Baths, Pool Days and the Outdoor-Bath Rotation
Hotel SPAX has 24-hour indoor baths, a pool open only on set days, and one outdoor bath that alternates between men and women.
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Ryokan staysHotel Village in Kusatsu: Plan Around the Shuttle and Therme Therme
Check Hotel Village’s suspended Yubatake shuttle and Therme Therme maintenance dates before relying on the resort for town access or bathing.
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ComparisonsWhich Kusatsu Ryokan Has Kakenagashi? Compare Baths, Not Hotel Slogans
Check which Kusatsu ryokan baths are documented as kakenagashi; natural spring water alone does not mean a bath continuously flows.
Read the guideRyokan staysKamenoi Hotel Kusatsu Resort: Bandai Baths, the Three-Hotel Route and What to Book
Plan around the resort’s Bandai spring and optional three-hotel bath route; it is separate from Kamenoi Hotel Kusatsu Yubatake.
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Families & accessibilityKAMENOI HOTEL Kusatsu Yubatake with Kids: Room Sizes, Bath Hours and Parking
KAMENOI Kusatsu Yubatake sleeps up to six in some rooms and has three spring sources; check bath closing hours, parking and private-bath limits.
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Private bathsKirishimaya Ryokan in Kusatsu: The 24-Hour Shiriyaki Bath and Private Soak
Kirishimaya’s Shiriyaki bath uses Yubatake spring; a two-person private bath is available, while the hottest tub suits only a brief soak.
Read the guidePrivate bathsLa Vista Kusatsu Hills: Three Springs and a Bath in Every Room
Compare La Vista Kusatsu Hills’ in-room spring bath, four free private baths and rooftop baths, with a minimum guest age of junior high school.
Read the guideRyokan staysArriving Late or Leaving Early in Kusatsu: What Your Ryokan Stay Still Includes
Check Kusatsu ryokan dinner, check-in and morning-bath cutoffs before booking a late arrival or early departure at Tokinoniwa or La Vista.
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Private bathsMinshuku Hyoutan in Kusatsu: Two Private Baths and a Homely Stay
Minshuku Hyoutan has two private-use Bandai-kō spring baths shared by guests, not in-room bathrooms, a modest inn and a seven-minute terminal walk.
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Private bathsNaraya Kusatsu: Shirahata Spring, the Yumori and Three Private Baths
Naraya’s public and three paid private baths use Shirahata spring; only the Iwakagami suite has a listed in-room Shirahata bath.
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Getting thereGetting to Kusatsu Onsen Without a Car: Three Routes from Tokyo
Compare direct highway bus, JR plus bus via Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and the Karuizawa route to Kusatsu’s bus terminal.
Read the guideGetting thereWhere to Stay in Kusatsu Without a Car: Walkability and Hotel Shuttles
Compare Kusatsu ryokan by walking distance to Yubatake and the bus terminal, or by scheduled shuttle from the hillside hotels.
Read the guideComparisonsOne Night or Two in Kusatsu? Decide by What the Second Day Adds
One night covers Yubatake, an inn’s main baths and an evening walk; stay a second night to explore more baths or add a wider-area trip.
Read the guideDestinations & itinerariesKusatsu Onsen for First-Time Visitors: A Simple Walking Plan
Use Yubatake as your landmark, then walk west to Sainokawara Park or southeast to Ohtakinoyu; plan one main bath for a day trip.
Read the guideRyokan staysChoosing a Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan: Match the Stay to the Way You Bathe
Compare Kusatsu ryokan by in-room hot springs, shared and private baths, age rules, family facilities and shuttle access.
Read the guideRyokan staysKusatsu Ryokan Meals: Half Board, Breakfast Only or Room Only?
Compare Kusatsu ryokan meal plans by dinner seating, arrival time and freedom to eat in town at Tokinoniwa, Ichii, La Vista and Hotel Village.
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Ryokan staysOsakaya in Kusatsu: A Traditional Stay One Minute from Yubatake
Stay a minute from Yubatake at Osakaya, where public baths use its spring water; guest-room baths are not listed as hot springs.
Read the guidePrivate bathsOyado Konoha in Kusatsu: A Bath-Focused Stay Without In-Room Baths
Oyado Konoha has 23 shared bathing experiences and three free private outdoor baths, but no in-room bath or shower in its 47 guest rooms.
Read the guidePrivate bathsIs a Room Upgrade Worth It at Kusatsu Onsen? Check What Actually Changes
Check whether a Kusatsu room upgrade adds a natural hot-spring bath, more space or a Yubatake view; in-room bathing varies by inn.
Read the guideDestinations & itinerariesSainokawara Rotenburo in Kusatsu: Hours, What to Bring and Friday Bathing
Plan a visit to Kusatsu’s large Sainokawara outdoor bath: there are no washing stations, dryers or towel rentals, and Friday mixed bathing may vary.
Read the guideSpring waterKusatsu’s Six Hot-Spring Sources: Where to See Them and Where to Bathe
Find Kusatsu’s Yubatake, Sainokawara, Jizo, Nikawa, Shirahata and Bandai springs; source names do not always match the bath they feed.
Read the guideBathing rulesKusatsu Onsen Hotels for Guests with Tattoos: What to Confirm Before Booking
Compare tattoo policies at Tokinoniwa, La Vista Kusatsu Hills and Hotel Village; ask about the specific bath, since private access and cover seals vary.
Read the guideDestinations & itinerariesKusatsu’s Three Public Baths: Which One Fits Your Day?
Compare Ohtakinoyu’s broader facilities, Gozanoyu by Yubatake and Sainokawara’s large outdoor baths; the pass suits visitors using all three.
Read the guidePrivate bathsTokinoniwa Kusatsu: A Private Hot-Spring Bath in Every Room
Tokinoniwa has a Yukawa-no-Yu bath in every room, plus 23 shared bathing experiences and three free private outdoor baths. Check how each bath is supplied.
Read the guideComparisonsTokinoniwa or La Vista Kusatsu Hills? Choose by Age Rules and Bath Style
Both hotels have in-room springs that are not continuously flowing; Tokinoniwa suits families, while La Vista admits guests aged 13 and over.
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Spring waterTsutsujitei Kusatsu: Which Room Gets Which Hot Spring?
All ten Tsutsujitei rooms have free-flowing spring baths; compare Bandai-kō rooms with the two Yubatake-spring suites and private bath.
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Private bathsUra-Kusatsu TOU: Room Baths, Private Onsen and What to Check Before Booking
Only four Deluxe rooms at Ura-Kusatsu TOU have in-room hot springs; standard rooms have showers, with four paid private baths as another option.
Read the guideComparisonsKusatsu or Ikaho Onsen? Choose by Travel Time, Terrain and Bathing Style
Compare Kusatsu and Ikaho by travel time from Tokyo, walking terrain, spring variety and the kind of hot-spring town you want to visit.
Read the guideGetting thereKusatsu Onsen in Winter: Road Closures, Snow Driving and Getting Around
Plan winter access to Kusatsu: the Shiga-Kusatsu Kogen Route closes seasonally, and the town itself needs snow tyres or chains on icy roads.
Read the guideComparisonsWhere to Stay Near Yubatake: Three Kusatsu Inns by Walking Distance
Compare TOU, Kusatsu Hotel 1913 and Eidaya by walk time to Yubatake, Bandai spring water and private-bathing options.
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Getting thereHow to Get to Manza Onsen: Trains, Buses and Mountain Roads
Reach Manza by train and seasonal bus from Karuizawa or via Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi. Winter roads and the final mountain transfer affect each route.
Read the guideComparisonsManza or Kusatsu Onsen? Choose Between a Mountain Retreat and a Walkable Town
Compare walkable Kusatsu with remote, high-altitude Manza, including day-bath hours, bus access and winter travel considerations in Gunma.
Read the guideSento & public bathsSakurayu in Kusatsu, Shiga: A Small Sento Near the Station
This local sento is a six-minute walk from JR Kusatsu Station in Shiga—not the Gunma resort. Check its fare and Sunday closure before visiting.
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Destinations & itinerariesKusatsu Yumoto Suisyun: Natural Onsen, Saunas and Late-Night Bathing
Plan a visit to Shiga’s Kusatsu Yumoto Suisyun with current bath and sauna prices, late hours, shuttle rules and its natural outdoor spring.
Read the guideOfficial sources
