Things to Do in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町), Gunma: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) in Gunma Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Yubatake Hot-Water Field (湯畑), Netsunoyu Yumomi Pavilion (熱乃湯), Sainokawara Park & Open-Air Bath (西の河原公園・露天風呂) and served by Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) via the regional hub at Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen). Set at 1151 m elevation (36.6207°N, 138.5961°E), Kusatsu Onsen offers travelers a base for sampling regional Mizusawa udon (thick spring-water noodles), Okkirikomi (wide flat noodle stew), Yaki-manju (sweet miso-glazed steamed buns) cuisine and exploring neighboring Nakanojō (中之条町) (10.5 km), Naganohara (長野原町) (13.1 km), Tsumagoi (嬬恋村) (14.9 km), Takayama (高山村) (16.1 km).

Kusatsu is one of the most famous hot springs resorts in Japan. Kusatsu is situated about 1,200 meters above sea level. The active volcano Kusatsu-Shirane (2,160 m) and the inactive Mount Tengu (1,385 m) and Mount Motoshirane (2,171 m) are located west of Kusatsu. The town's main income is tourism. Within Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) serves as a historic onsen town in Gunma Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1900-07-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Kusatsu Onsen (famous Yubatake hot-spring field), Ikaho Onsen stone steps, Shima & Minakami Onsen, UNESCO Tomioka Silk Mill, and Takasaki's Daruma dolls.

What to See & Do in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) at 1151 m elevation (36.6207°N, 138.5961°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kusatsu Onsen):

• Yubatake Hot-Water Field (湯畑) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu Onsen (草津町).
• Netsunoyu Yumomi Pavilion (熱乃湯) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu Onsen (草津町).
• Sainokawara Park & Open-Air Bath (西の河原公園・露天風呂) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu Onsen (草津町).
• Ōtaki-no-yu Bathhouse — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu Onsen (草津町).
• Kōsenji Temple (光泉寺) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu Onsen (草津町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kusatsu Onsen: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) (connecting to Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kusatsu Onsen

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Gunma Prefecture and Kanto:

• Nakanojō (中之条町) — 10.5 km from Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)
• Naganohara (長野原町) — 13.1 km from Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)
• Tsumagoi (嬬恋村) — 14.9 km from Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)
• Takayama (高山村) — 16.1 km from Kusatsu Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)
• Higashiagatsuma (東吾妻町) — 19.9 km from Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture)

Getting to Kusatsu Onsen & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) via Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal): 50m from Tokyo Station to Takasaki on the Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen, connecting to local JR lines and highway buses to Kusatsu and Ikaho. From Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) to reach central Kusatsu Onsen (36.6207°N, 138.5961°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Maebashi with Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and neighboring Nakanojō, Naganohara, Tsumagoi. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kusatsu Onsen, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kusatsu Onsen and continuing toward Nakanojō can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kusatsu Onsen: While Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) anchors public transit for Kusatsu Onsen, picking up a rental car at Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Yubatake Hot-Water Field (湯畑) and Netsunoyu Yumomi Pavilion (熱乃湯) with nearby Nakanojō (中之条町) (10.5 km), Naganohara (長野原町) (13.1 km), Tsumagoi (嬬恋村) (14.9 km), Takayama (高山村) (16.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) & Gunma

Dining near Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) and across Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) highlights the regional food culture of Gunma Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kusatsu Onsen:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kusatsu Onsen (草津町): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside historic cotton and textile weaving, dyeing crafts, and local commerce.
• Mizusawa udon (thick spring-water noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Okkirikomi (wide flat noodle stew) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Yaki-manju (sweet miso-glazed steamed buns) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Joshu wagyu & Tontoro pork — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and Gunma Prefecture.
• Shimonita negi (giant leeks) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) and Gunma Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal).

Where to Stay in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町)

Visitors staying overnight in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal), or base at major rail hubs in Maebashi (Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen)) or neighboring Nakanojō, Naganohara, Tsumagoi for quick train access into Kusatsu Onsen. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kusatsu Onsen & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kusatsu Onsen (草津町, 1151 m elevation at 36.6207°N, 138.5961°E): Year-round for hot springs; July–August for cool Oze National Park boardwalks; October for Minakami &谷川岳 (Mount Tanigawa) autumn leaves; winter for snow onsen.

Wider sightseeing across Gunma Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Yubatake Hot-Water Field (湯畑) in Kusatsu Onsen (草津町) includes: Kusatsu Onsen (famous Yubatake hot-spring field), Ikaho Onsen stone steps, Shima & Minakami Onsen, UNESCO Tomioka Silk Mill, and Takasaki's Daruma dolls.

Practical Travel Tips for Kusatsu Onsen (草津町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kusatsu Onsen: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Takasaki Station (Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen) or Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) for local bus schedules to Yubatake Hot-Water Field (湯畑) and walking maps of Kusatsu Onsen (草津町).
• Cash & ATMs in Kusatsu Onsen: Convenience stores and major hotels around Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Yubatake Hot-Water Field (湯畑) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kusatsu Onsen accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kusatsu Onsen: Around Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口駅) (JR Agatsuma Line + JR Bus Kanto 25 min to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal) and neighboring Nakanojō, Naganohara, Tsumagoi, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.