Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen is a mountain hot spring town where the baths are the main reason to stay, and hot spring water runs through the town center.
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Kusatsu Onsen is a hot spring town in Gunma Prefecture, in the mountains of central Honshu, Japan. Its water is acidic and sulfurous, and it flows in large volumes from a source in the middle of town. The best-known sight is Yubatake, where staff cool the water by stirring it with long wooden paddles in a daily ritual visitors come to watch. Most of the town's life centers on its public baths and inns, called ryokan, where guests wear yukata robes between baths.
The town suits a slow trip built around bathing and walking. Plan at least two nights to see Yubatake, try a few baths and walk the streets at an easy pace. Autumn brings color to the surrounding hills, and winter brings snow to a quiet town at high elevation. Summer is cooler than most lowland cities in Japan, so it suits a stay.
Kusatsu Onsen in five
- Take the bus from Naganohara-KusatsuguchiTrains reach Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, then a bus climbs to the spa town in about 50 minutes. Check the bus timetable before you leave the station, since buses run much less often than trains.Getting around
- Check the tattoo rule before you bookMany baths and inns ban visible tattoos, and the rule differs from place to place. Ask each operator before you book, and ask whether they have a private bath.
- Carry yen in cashSmall inns, shops and some bathhouses take cash only, so keep yen on you. Ask the operator about card payment before you arrive.Money and costs
- Learn the bath routine before you enterWash at the stool before you get into a communal bath, and keep your towel out of the water. Shoes come off at the inn door.
- Set up an eSIM or offline maps before the busSave the bus route and timetable offline before you leave the station, so you can check them on the road.Phones and eSIM
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuarySnow, ski season
- FebruaryColdest, snowy
- MarchThaw, quieter
- AprilMild, fresh green
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneRainy season
- JulyCool, busy
- AugustSummer crowds
- SeptemberCooler, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Kusatsu Onsen
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Kusatsu Onsen
07:00 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today11°4°2%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed11°3°22%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Thu14°7°92%Thursday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri17°5°10%Friday: Fog. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat7°1°14%Saturday: Fog. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun8°1°12%Sunday: Fog. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Mon7°-1°10%Monday: Fog. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 05:05 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kusatsu-Shirane Volcanoabout 1 hour by busA volcano with a crater lake and walking trails above the town.
- Karuizawaabout 2 hours by carA resort town with shops, cafés and forest walks.
- Tokyoabout 3 hours by highway busThe capital, a long day from the spa town, so it works better as a stop on a route.
Before you go to Kusatsu Onsen
Rules for Kusatsu Onsen, checked
- Many nationalities enter Japan without a visa for short stays. Check the entry rules on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.Source
- Wash at the stool before you enter a communal bath, and keep your towel out of the water. Shoes come off at the entrance of an inn.
- Many baths and inns ban visible tattoos. Ask the operator before you book, since each place sets its own rule.
Plan around Kusatsu Onsen
Regions, entry rules, trains and money for a Japan trip
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains and buses from Tokyo up to the spa town
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a Japan trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa for a short stay, and how to check
Read the guideWhere to stayInns and ryokan, with their bath rules and room types
Read the guideKusatsu Onsen FAQ
How do you get to Kusatsu Onsen?
Take a train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, then a bus up the mountain, about 50 minutes. Highway buses also run from Tokyo; check the operator timetable before you book.
How many days do you need in Kusatsu Onsen?
Two nights cover the yumomi ritual at the yubatake and a bath at each inn. One night works if you only want the baths and the town center.
Is Kusatsu Onsen worth visiting?
Yes if you want hot spring baths, the yubatake and a walk through a small town. It is not a city for nightlife or big museums, so plan around inns and walking.
Do you need a car in Kusatsu Onsen?
No for the town center, which is walkable. A car helps for trips to the volcano and lake areas, but buses and taxis cover the center.
Can you bathe in Kusatsu Onsen with tattoos?
It depends on the bath. Many public baths and inns ban visible tattoos, so ask each operator before you book. Some inns have private baths.
What is the yumomi at the yubatake?
Staff stir the hot spring water with long wooden paddles to cool it, and visitors can watch at set times. Check the schedule at the yubatake before you go.