Kusatsu Onsen Trip Travel Guide Onsen Town with Lots of Snow

This is my travel report from Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma. Looking back, it was a great experience, especially since I was there at the end of February. There was up to 2 or 3 meters of snow in some places, but the good thing was that it snowed a lot right before and after we arrived, so we had perfect sunny weather.

Since Kusatsu Onsen is quite easy and quick to reach from Tokyo, you should definitely visit. Also, there's a ski resort about 20 minutes on foot or 6 minutes by car outside town ( Google Maps ), so if you want to go skiing first and bathe in a nice hot Onsen in the evening, Kusatsu Onsen is probably perfect, especially because the snow is real.

Enjoy the article, I hope you like it :)

From Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen

Since Kusatsu Onsen is close to Tokyo, it's probably one of the most popular places to visit an Onsen town. By train and bus the journey takes about 3 to 5 hours depending on your starting point. By car it takes about 3 to 4 hours , so not much faster. But it's more convenient as you don't have to change and drag your luggage.

However you go, if you leave in the morning, you'll still have the afternoon and evening of the first day, so you could already visit the Yubatake.

The Hotel in Kusatsu Onsen

We chose the "Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village" because it was affordable, good, and located a bit outside of town. But since we traveled by car, this was no problem for us. I’ll talk more about the bus shuttle service later, so you can get to the sights even without a car. The hotel was very tidy, really big, and also had a large dining hall and its own Onsens.

Although we had a car, we also walked to the main attraction "Yubatake" at midday. It was about 15 minutes on foot , so not very far. The shopping street and restaurants are also located at Yubatake.

The costs for high season were also quite okay. As of the end of February 2022, we paid about €142 (20,100 yen) per night for two people, one room.

Right at Yubatake it can range from 30,000 yen to 70,000 yen per night, which is about €200 - €500 per night.

 The Hotel at Booking.com*

Hotel Bus Shuttle from the Hotel to the Sights and Back

The hotel bus shuttle is a must. Even if you arrive by car, there are hardly any parking spaces in the city center. Also, there's a lot of snow during the high season, so driving can sometimes be tricky. Since you're not allowed to drive in Japan after a beer, you can use the car for sightseeing spots further out and otherwise park it at the large parking lot at the hotel. By the way, the hotel bus shuttle is free and runs regularly, even in the evenings.

More Hotels in the Area

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Yubatake

The Yubatake is the main attraction of Kusatsu Onsen. Most people who have seen Onsen videos from Japan have surely seen the Yubatake as well. It's much bigger than you’d expect and it naturally smells very strongly of rotten eggs, which fades after a few hours—it’s not very unpleasant, but you will definitely notice it. This goes for the whole town, but it’s strongest here. Restaurants and shopping streets have grown around the Yubatake so after visiting the main attraction, you can eat and shop.

A Live Cam from Yubatake

A Hot River in Kusatsu Onsen (Sainokawara Park)

My highlight was definitely the warm river surrounded by snow. I couldn’t imagine a real river being warm while there’s snow on the banks. Since it comes from the mountains, the sediment is also very white, I think that's because of the minerals and especially the sulfur, which you can smell everywhere. To enjoy the river, there are many pools beside it where you can soak your feet after a long day. The water is not too hot and is at the perfect temperature. Don’t do what we did and forget a towel XD Otherwise, you’ll have to dry your feet with tissues.

The hot river on Google Maps

Shopping Street

The shopping streets are right next to the Yubatake, i.e. in the center. Here you’ll find souvenirs, street food, restaurants, sweets and much more. After about 30 minutes to an hour, you’ve seen everything.

Food in Kusatsu Onsen - Restaurants

We ate at the restaurant Matsumoto (まつもと - Google Maps ) because they have those special flat noodles and sauce-katsu. Gunmachan cider was also on the menu, so I ordered it right away. In Japan, it’s common for each prefecture (similar to states in Germany) to have its own mascot. Since Kusatsu Onsen is in Gunma Prefecture, you’ll see plenty of Kunmachans on products and foods.

Street Food in Kusatsu Onsen

The shopping streets have street food as well, though not a ton, but several stalls. Here you’ll find yakitori (chicken and other meat skewers) and fish on skewers, often trout.

Onsen Tamago

We actually found real Onsen Tamago. That’s a very specially prepared egg that was traditionally always boiled in hot spring water. Since it’s not hard-boiled, the egg white is cloudy and slightly firm, but the yolk remains almost entirely runny. Prepared with soy sauce, it tastes unbelievably good. You don’t need to worry about raw eggs in Japan. The legal and cultural standards are very strict, because in Japan raw egg is eaten with many dishes all year round.

Zoo (Tropical Wonderland) with Monkeys and Capybaras

From the Yubatake there’s a small zoo with capybaras, pigs, monkeys, and many other animals. But it’s not a real zoo, more like a small animal park. The good thing is, you can feed almost all the animals with fruits, veggies, and leaves if you pay a small donation. I especially loved feeding the capybaras and pigs, it was so cute. For about €8 (1,100 yen entrance + food donation (100 yen)) you’ll have about an hour of fun there. With kids who love feeding animals, definitely longer. So as a little change of pace, it’s definitely recommended, although it’s a bit pricey.

For those coming by car, there are some parking spaces too.

Kusatsu Onsen - Temple

There are many shrines and temples in the area, which I found especially beautiful in winter. But since I'm not religious, I can’t say much more about them. Most are rather small, but you should drop by as they’re mostly central.

A Few FAQs - Questions and Answers

1. Where is Kusatsu Onsen and how do you get there?

Kusatsu Onsen is located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. You can get to the town by train or bus from Tokyo.

2. What is an Onsen and what can you expect in Kusatsu Onsen?

An Onsen is a hot spring in Japan that is often used as a public bath. In Kusatsu Onsen, there are numerous Onsen baths with different types of water and temperatures. There are also many shops, restaurants, and activities like skiing and snowboarding.

3. Are there any special rules or etiquette to keep in mind when visiting an Onsen?

Yes, there are several rules and proper etiquette to follow. For example, you should shower before entering the bath, wash yourself thoroughly, and not bring towels into the water. Also, you should not wear any clothing in the bath area. Learn more in the Onsen article.

4. Where are the best spots for skiing or snowboarding in Kusatsu Onsen?

The best places for skiing or snowboarding in Kusatsu Onsen are Kusatsu International Ski Resort and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane Ski Area.

5. How long should you stay in Kusatsu Onsen to see and experience everything?

To see and experience everything in Kusatsu Onsen, it’s best to plan at least 2-3 days there.

6. What is the best time to visit Kusatsu Onsen?

The best time to visit Kusatsu Onsen is in winter, when there is plenty of snow and the Onsen baths are especially enjoyable. Kusatsu Onsen is also a beautiful destination in spring and autumn.

7. How much should you budget for a stay in Kusatsu Onsen?

The cost for a stay in Kusatsu Onsen varies depending on the season and accommodation. A budget of about 150 to 200 euros per day for accommodation, food, and activities should be sufficient.

Sources:

• Wikipedia Kusatsu Onsen: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusatsu_(Gunma)
• Google Maps