One of many prime three sizzling spring cities in Japan, Kusatsu Onsen is a superb in a single day journey from Tokyo. When you’re planning on visiting, comply with this Kusatsu Onsen itinerary to benefit from your time there.
I like sizzling springs, and over time, I’ve managed to go to fairly just a few onsen cities in Japan. Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is a well-liked in a single day journey from Tokyo and is rated as one of many prime three sizzling spring cities in the entire of Japan.
Whether or not you’re planning to go for a visit from Tokyo or cease on the best way whereas travelling to different areas in Central Japan, Kusatsu Onsen received’t disappoint. The cosy ambiance of the small city and the recent spring steam that fills the streets is unbelievable!
Kusatsu Onsen can be a well-liked ski resort, however as we visited throughout spring, I’ll primarily concentrate on the opposite elements of Kusatsu you could get pleasure from year-round. So, when you’re visiting Kusatsu Onsen quickly, listed below are my suggestions.
Kusatsu Onsen Itinerary Overview & Map
Kusatsu Onsen is positioned within the Gunma mountains, at round 1,200 meters of elevation. Alongside Gero Onsen and Arima Onsen, it’s one of many three well-known sizzling springs (Nihon Sanmeisen). Even these days, it constantly ranks among the many prime onsen in Japan.
From Tokyo, you may get to Kusatsu Onsen by categorical practice and bus inside three hours, making it a well-liked in a single day vacation spot – particularly for onsen lovers.
Legend says the recent springs in Kusatsu have been discovered over 1,800 years in the past, making it one of many oldest onsen cities in Japan. The minerals and anti-bacterial properties of the recent water that bubbles up from the discovered listed below are presupposed to heal all types of diseases, enhance your pores and skin well being and relieve joint and muscle pains.
The water in Kusatsu Onsen may be very acidic, with a pH between 1.6 – 2.1. In line with the official web site of the city, a 6-inch nail will dissolve if left within the water for 10 days. Due to its acidity, the water has sturdy sterilising qualities, which primarily disinfects your physique when bathing.
Each minute, over 32,000 litres of sizzling spring water gushes out of the bottom in Kusatsu Onsen, making it essentially the most lively onsen supply within the nation based on the Japan Onsen Affiliation.
As Kusatsu Onsen isn’t a really giant city, it’s straightforward to get round on foot. It has a comfy ambiance the place we felt at dwelling as quickly as we bought used to the sturdy sulfuric smells. When you’re planning to go to Kusatsu Onsen for an in a single day keep, you need to use this itinerary and map to benefit from it:
Kusatsu Onsen Itinerary
Kusatsu Onsen is greatest skilled when staying for at the very least one evening. The long-lasting picket frames that carry the recent sizzling spring water are lit up at evening. The steam rises up and creates a beautiful ambiance. On prime of that, there’s nothing higher than strolling round an onsen city within the night whereas carrying a yukata – it provides a lot to your journey!
When you’re visiting Kusatsu Onsen for two days, I like to recommend doing the next:
- Arrive in Kusatsu Onsen round noon and have lunch someplace
- Stroll across the city, see the Yubatake and stroll by way of Sai-no-kawara Park
- Test in to your Ryokan and benefit from the onsen
- Gown up in yukata at evening and stroll across the Yubatake, attempt among the free footbaths
- The subsequent day, go see a conventional yumomi efficiency within the morning
- Go to the shrines in Kusatsu Onsen and/or go to one other public bathtub
- Have one final stroll round city, attempt the kao-yu (face bathtub) and do some procuring.
Right here is extra details about every spot on the itinerary in Kusatsu Onsen:
1. See the Yubatake
Within the centre of Kusatsu Onsen, you’ll discover essentially the most iconic landmark of the city: the Yubatake (湯畑). It actually interprets to “sizzling water subject” in English, and that’s primarily what it’s. Seven strains of picket frames slowly carry the recent sizzling spring water to assist cool it down earlier than it’s distributed to native ryokans and bathhouses.
The Yubatake is likely one of the most lively sizzling spring sources in Japan, with round 4,000 litres effervescent up from the Earth each single minute. When the water comes up, it’s method too sizzling to wash in (between 50–95 levels Celcius), so exposing the water to the recent mountain air helps it calm down. The steam rising from the frames is an exquisite sight!
On the finish of the frames, the water cascades down right into a small pool. The yellow-green sulfuric sediment you may see increase within the frames known as yunohana (湯の花). This implies “sizzling water flowers” and after it’s crystalised, it’s collected and offered as bathtub salts across the city. It may be an incredible memento to convey dwelling.
The sturdy sulfur scent across the Yubatake is usually a bit offputting, however you do get used to it after some time (I promise!). Because it’s positioned in the midst of the city, you will discover many eating places and cafes round this space too.
The Yubatake is illuminated with vibrant lights at evening, making it much more stunning. The steam appears far more distinguished with the lights shining on them. A number of folks will stroll round of their yukata and geta slippers. Since most ryokans have these accessible without cost, I might advocate making an attempt them on your self for a bit night stroll across the Yubatake. It was magical!
2. Watch a Yumomi Efficiency on the Netsu-no-yu
Whereas the Yubatake is the primary method Kusatsu’s sizzling spring water is cooled down earlier than you may bathe in it, there was once one other method: Yumomi (湯もみ). Yumomi is the standard method used to chill down the practically boiling water, relationship again to the Edo Interval (1603 – 1868).
These days, you may nonetheless see the standard yumomi efficiency within the Netsu-no-yu bathhouse, which is positioned subsequent to the Yubatake.
With picket planks of round 180 centimetres, a bunch of locals stir the water to chill it down with out diluting the pure minerals. The efficiency is accompanied by conventional people songs. Since yumomi is such a novel a part of Kusatsu’s historical past, it’s value getting a ticket to one of many reveals.
There are six reveals each day, at 9:30AM, 10:00AM, 10:30AM, 3:30PM, 4:00PM, and 4:30PM. Tickets can be found half an hour earlier than every present. You’re not in a position to guide them for later within the day, so that you’ll have to point out up on time. As soon as they’re offered out, that’s it. Be sure to get there in time if you wish to watch it. Tickets price ¥700 for adults, ¥350 for youngsters.
As soon as we sat down, a video was performed explaining Kusatsu’s historical past and exhibiting some details about the onsen water (with English subtitles). The present itself began with a dancing and singing efficiency by three ladies wearing yukata. Afterwards, the big picket panels got here out and have been used to stir and flip the water into the air. The present lasted round half-hour. It was a really distinctive and memorable expertise!
The Kusatsu-bushi music they play at first and finish of the efficiency has lived rent-free in my head since visiting. My husband and I nonetheless sing it at dwelling on a regular basis.
3. Strive the Free Footbaths (Ashi-yu)
Free footbaths are sometimes present in onsen cities, together with Kusatsu Onsen. You could find just a few round Yubatake (referred to as Yu-kemuri Tei), one in entrance of Jizo-no-Yu bathhouse and a big one in Sainokawara Park.
The footbaths are free to make use of and open 24/7. They’re excellent to relaxation your drained ft after strolling round and exploring Kusatsu Onsen. I attempted Yu-kemuri Tei within the night whereas strolling across the Yubatake in my yukata, and it was an incredible expertise.
Keep in mind to convey a small towel to dry your ft afterwards!
4. Soak in One in all Kusatsu’s Public Onsen
A go to to Kustasu Onsen clearly isn’t full with out making an attempt the therapeutic waters your self. There are many completely different baths accessible within the city, so that you’ll be spoiled for selection. Listed here are those which might be open for day friends:
- Sai-no-Kawara Rotenburo – Situated in Sai-no-Kawara Park, that is certainly one of Japan’s largest out of doors baths. You possibly can benefit from the stunning nature round, and even stargaze at evening. This public onsen additionally permits for combined bathing (women and men collectively) with a washing go well with each Friday night. It’s a good way to get pleasure from it along with your complete household. Entrance prices ¥700 for adults, ¥350 for youngsters.
- Otaki-no-yu – This widespread bathhouse has a number of baths with completely different water temperatures, together with a big out of doors bathtub with a waterfall. Entrance prices ¥980 for adults, ¥450 for youngsters.
- Goza-no-yu – This bathhouse takes water from two completely different sizzling spring sources in Kusatsu, the Yubatake and Bandai. Entrance prices ¥700 for adults, ¥450 for youngsters.
In line with Kusatsu’s official web site, there are 19 public bathhouses that Kusatsu residents can use without cost. Solely three of them, Shirahata-no-yu, Chiyo-no-yu, and Jizo-no-yu additionally settle for guests to enter. They continue to be free even when you’re not a Kusatsu native. The water in these bathhouses is commonly extremely popular although!
Keep in mind that Chiyo-no-yu and Jizo-no-yu keep on with the standard jikan-yu method of bathing. Jikan-yu is a washing approach the place you bathe in high-temperature sizzling spring water for a short while (normally round three minutes). You must comply with the directions correctly when going to those public baths.
Keep in mind to convey your personal towel from the ryokan you’re staying in, as you’ll have to rent or purchase one in any other case.
It’s additionally value checking in case your ryokan has an onsen. Throughout my time in Kusatsu Onsen, I stayed in Kirishimaya Ryokan which had each a private and non-private bathtub accessible for friends.
Don’t put on jewelry when bathing in Kusatsu’s sizzling spring waters, because the sturdy acidity may cause discolouration.
5. Stroll By way of Sai-no-Kawara Park
A brief 10-minute stroll from the Yubatake, you’ll discover Kusatsu’s Sai-no-Kawara Park. En route, you’ll stroll by way of Sai-no-Kawara Avenue, which is lined with retailers, cafes and eating places.
The park itself is mainly a valley crammed with sizzling spring streams and swimming pools. You possibly can comply with the trail strolling by way of them. As that is the Sai-no-kawara sizzling spring supply, you may even see the recent water bubble up from out of the bottom.
There are just a few swimming pools with seating constructed round them, so you need to use them as a free foot bathtub. On the finish of the park, you may as well discover certainly one of Kusatsu’s public bathhouses “Sai-no-Kawara Rotenburo”. Identical to the Yubatake, the park lights up at evening. The rising steam makes for a magical sight.
6. Strive the Free “Kao-Yu” (Face Bathtub)
Free footbaths are sometimes fairly frequent in onsen cities, however Kusatsu has a reasonably distinctive bathtub you may attempt without cost too: a face bathtub. It’s the primary time I’ve come throughout one in Japan, and after some analysis on-line, I’ve not been capable of finding any others!
You could find this Kao-Yu (face bathtub) exterior of Jizo-no-Yu bathhouse. To do this face bathtub, you don’t have to stay your face underwater, however as a substitute, you steam your face with the recent spring water.
It seems to be like an enormous picket field with a small opening on the highest. Right here, you may relaxation your face and benefit from the steam. Regardless of the sturdy sulfur smells, it was fairly good to attempt – undoubtedly a primary for me!
7. Cease by certainly one of Kusatsu Onsen’s Temple
One of many essential temples in Kusatsu Onsen sits on the small hill subsequent to Yubataka. Kōsenji Temple (光泉寺) is a part of the three sizzling spring therapeutic Buddha temples, along with Onsen-ji in Arima Onsen and Io-ji in Yamanaka Onsen.
A particular occasion, referred to as Yume no Akari, is held on the steps that lead as much as the temple. Round 1,200 candles are lit creating an exquisite sight – this occurs between March and November on the second and fourth Saturday (or vacation).
8. Eat All of the Scrumptious Kusatsu Onsen Treats
Japan is understood for its wonderful delicacies, and Kusatsu Onsen has greater than sufficient particular treats to attempt. Listed here are a few of my favourites:
Onsen Tamago
You possibly can attempt Onsen Tamago close to Kusatsu Glass Warehouse on Sai-no-kawara Avenue. Onsen Tamago is a staple in lots of sizzling spring cities, the place eggs are slowly boiled within the pure spring water.
Onsen Manju
One other snack you will discover in lots of onsen cities is Onsen Manju. These are buns with a filling, typically purple bean paste, steamed over the recent spring water. There are a number of retailers on Sai-no-kawara Avenue that promote them. Some retailers even give out some free samples, however don’t really feel like it’s important to purchase something.
Kusatsu Onsen Tiramisu
When wandering down the streets of Kusatsu, we stumbled upon a small confectionery store, referred to as Seigetsudo. Since 1923, they’ve been specialising in hanaingen (a sort of candy beans).
Hooked up to the store, you may as well discover a small cafe the place they promote particular tiramisu. I attempted the one with matcha and hanaingen, whereas my husband opted for the seasonal sakura flavour. The set got here with a cup of espresso – scrumptious!
How Many Days Ought to In Kusatsu Onsen?
You’ll wish to keep for at the very least one evening in Kusatsu Onsen, particularly when you’re travelling all the best way from Tokyo. Even when you’re stopping at Kusatsu Onsen on the best way to a different vacation spot, staying in a single day is a should to get pleasure from this city correctly. Bonus factors when you keep in a comfy ryokan with onsen.
Whilst you can see a lot of the sights in Kusatsu Onsen in someday, sizzling spring cities aren’t actually a sightseeing vacation spot. They’re there to chill out and unwind, and a spot to expertise ryokan tradition. Plus, the Yubatake seems to be stunning at evening when it’s lit up. Gown in your yukata and geta and stroll across the steaming swimming pools of sizzling spring water – it was certainly one of my favorite moments in Kusatsu.
The place to Keep in Kusatsu Onsen
There are an honest variety of motels and ryokans you may select from in Kusatsu. I might undoubtedly go for a conventional ryokan so as to add to your go to. Bonus factors if they’ve a (public and/or personal) onsen.
Throughout our go to to Kusatsu, we stayed in Kirishimaya Ryokan. This charming family-run ryokan tucked away within the hills near Kusatsu’s essential points of interest was merely unbelievable.
The ryokan is a bit previous, however it’s well-maintained and has a lot attraction. In the primary areas, small knickknacks are scattered round and the welcoming household who runs the place helped us really feel at dwelling instantly. You possibly can instantly see and really feel the care that this household places into their enterprise. The big welcome board exterior even had all of the household names of the friends handwritten on it, such a stunning further contact.
The Ryokan has a public onsen and a tiny personal onsen that you need to use at any time when it’s free. The personal onsen is a bit small however excellent for 2 folks. From the primary constructing, it’s a bit stroll exterior subsequent to a small shrine to get to the personal bathtub. Remember the fact that whereas your room may have a bathroom, you’ll want to make use of the showers on the onsen baths.
The room was nice too, and included a stunning tatami room and fluffy futon. On the finish of our keep, the proprietor even drove us to the bus station with our baggage – I might simply guide this place once more after we are returning to Kusatsu.
Is Kusatsu Onsen Tattoo Pleasant?
Not all baths in Kusatsu Onsen are tattoo-friendly, however some public baths settle for friends with tattoos with none points or having to cowl up. These embrace Sai-no-kawara, Otaki-no-yu and Goza-no-yu. You probably have tattoos, you may as well go for lodging with a personal onsen.
Since tattoos are historically related to the Japanese mafia (yakuza), some extra conventional locations nonetheless received’t settle for friends with seen tattoos. These are spots like onsen, gyms, swimming pools and seashores.
Nevertheless, increasingly more locations are open to folks with tattoos, together with some widespread sizzling spring cities. Kinosaki Onsen, for instance, is a city with seven public baths which might be all tattoo-friendly.
The best way to get to Kusatsu Onsen From Tokyo
Kusatsu Onsen is positioned round 200km from Tokyo, within the mountains of Gunma Prefecture. You possibly can attain it by public transport in below 3 hours from Tokyo. It makes for an incredible weekend journey or a stopover when travelling to different areas in Japan, like Nagano or Gifu.
Due to its comparatively good connections, Kusatsu Onsen is commonly classed as among the best onsen journeys from Tokyo – on prime of the truth that it constantly ranks as among the best sizzling spring cities within the nation.
From Ueno Station, you may take the Restricted Specific practice to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (2.5 hours). You can even take native trains to get to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, however these will take round 4 hours.
You can even use the practice from Tokyo Station to Takasaki Station, and switch to a practice that may take you to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. This route will take a bit longer.
At this station, you will discover a bus that goes straight to Kusatsu Onsen (half-hour). Kusatsu Onsen doesn’t have a practice station, so taking the bus for the final bit is the one option to get there on public transport – however take into account that it is a giant tour bus, with storage for big baggage, so it’s a cushty journey.
Alternatively, you need to use the freeway bus to get straight from Tokyo to Kusatsu in round 4.5 hours. Busses go away from each Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station a number of instances a day. You possibly can pre-book seats for this bus right here.
Conclusion – Is Kusatsu Onsen Price Visiting?
Kusatsu Onsen is undoubtedly value a go to. Having visited fairly just a few sizzling spring cities over time, I used to be very impressed by Kusatsu’s ambiance and onsen. Hidden within the Gunma mountains, Kusatsu Onsen looks like a captivating little city – and is particularly stunning within the night when the Yubatake is lit up.
As Kusatsu Onsen is repeatedly ranked as among the best onsen cities in Japan, it’s the right place for an in a single day keep. I personally choose it to Hakone if we’re trying simply on the sizzling springs. Despite the fact that Kusatsu Onsen is a bit farther from Tokyo, I believe it’s well worth the journey when you keep in a single day.