Kusatsu Onsen: Getting there and around
How to get to Kusatsu Onsen
By train and bus via Naganohara
Trains travel as far as Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, from where there are JR buses to Kusatsu Onsen (30 minutes, 710 yen). The train journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass, but the bus ride is covered only by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass and JR East Tohoku Area Pass.
There are various ways to get from Tokyo to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. The most convenient is by direct limited express train from Tokyo's Ueno Station, requiring 2.5 hours and costing about 5000 yen one way. But there are only around three round trips per day.
Alternatively, you can do the whole trip by local trains, which takes about four hours, requires a transfer of trains at Takasaki and cost 3080 yen one way. Faster and more expensive is taking the shinkansen to Takasaki and transfer there to a local train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi.
By train and bus via Karuizawa
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa (70 minutes, around 5500 yen) and then a bus (Seibu Bus or Kusakaru Kotsu) from Karuizawa to Kusatsu Onsen (80-100 minutes, 2240 yen). JR passes are not valid on the buses between Karuizawa and Kusatsu.
By highway bus
There are multiple JR highway buses from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) to Kusatsu per day. The one way trip costs around 3500-4000 yen depending on date of travel and takes about four hours. JR passes are not valid on these buses. In addition, a few other bus companies operate buses between Shibuya (Mark City) and Kusatsu (4.5 hours, 3600 yen one way), which can be reserved online via Willer.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Kusatsu is a compact, small town with the Yubatake (hot water field) in its center. Most attractions and ryokan in the town center are easily accessible on foot. Mount Shirane is located about a 30 minute bus or car ride outside the town center.
Map of central Kusatsu:
Map of the Mount Shirane area:
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Kusatsu Onsen
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Oyado YukizumiLocated 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. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 46 km away and Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 14 km from the ryokan. 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. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com -
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SoumeianSituated 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. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Jigokudani Monkey Park is 47 km from the ryokan, while Mt. Kusatsu Shirane is 15 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 108 km from Soumeian.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu Onsen EidayaKusatsu 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu Hotel Bekkan Wata no Yu (Adult Only)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. During the colder months, guests can enjoy winter sports in the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the ryokan.View on Booking.com -
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La Vista Kusatsu HillsSet 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 offering 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. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 107 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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HanaingenHanaingen 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.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan TamuraOffering 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kusatsu Onsen Kusatsu Hotel1913Built 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.View on Booking.com -
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Kirishimaya RyokanKirishimaya 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.View on Booking.com -
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Tokinoniwa4-star Tokinoniwa offers free internet access and flat-screen TVs in rooms, in the well-known hot spring area of Kusatsu. It features hot springs, free private parking and free shuttle. Tokinoniwa Ryokan is a 15-minute drive from Kusatsu Bus Station and a 5-minute drive from Kusatsu’s city centre. Spacious rooms feature tatami flooring, futon bedding and a wooden bathtub in the bathroom. They are fitted with satellite channels and a refrigerator are provided. Guests can enjoy Tokinoniwa’s indoor and outdoor hot springs as well as its sauna and massages. Free yukata rental is available. Souvenirs can be bought at the gift shop. Tokinoniwa’s restaurant serves a Western or Japanese set menu for breakfast. It also offers traditional multicourse Japanese dinners. Drinks are available at the hotel’s sake bar.View on Booking.com
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