Kusatsu: Hot Springs, Tradition and Skiing

In the center of the hot spring resort of Kusatsu Onsen, Yubatake shapes the townscape: souvenir shops and restaurants line the area around the site. Yubatake is illuminated at night, when the light and rising steam create a special interplay. Here, in the heart of town, the visible presence of the hot springs meets the lively surroundings. Those choosing Kusatsu as a holiday destination can begin with this central landmark while also including culture, nature and activities in their trip.

Yubatake and Kusatsu’s traditions

Yubatake has also received recognition: in 2002, it was included in the selection of the “100 Fragrant Landscapes.” In 2017, it was designated a national cultural property in the “名勝” category. Netsunoyu is located in front of Yubatake. There, visitors can watch “Yumomi and Dance,” a tradition typical of Kusatsu that is associated with communal bathing dating back to the Edo period. At this same landmark, both the hot springs and a long-standing bathing tradition take center stage.

Another historical connection is Dr. Erwin von Baelz. He visited Kusatsu in 1878 and praised its distinctive bathing method, the qualities of its springs and the surrounding area. His visit gives the town’s history a specific point of reference, without limiting a modern-day stay to history: in Kusatsu, nature experiences and cultural impressions are also among the things visitors can enjoy.

Spring water, parks and mountain sports

Hot spring water emerges in many places in Sainokawara Park and flows away as the Yukawa River. The park also features inscribed song monuments and memorial stones dedicated to Dr. Baelz, Mokichi Saito and Sakurako Mizuhara. Those interested in the landscape and its cultural memorial sites can find a different perspective on the springs here than at the central Yubatake.

Winter sports are also part of what the town offers: Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort is located near the main hot springs of Kusatsu Onsen. Visitors can ski and snowboard there, between Kusatsu and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane. The resort is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the center of Kusatsu. This makes it possible to distinguish between an interest in the hot springs and activities on the mountain when choosing what to do, without treating them as the same kind of holiday.

Getting here and culinary discoveries

Direct buses run from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kusatsu via Ikaho Onsen. Those traveling by train can go to the nearest station, Naganohara Kusatsuguchi, and then take a connecting bus to Kusatsu, which takes about 25 minutes. These two travel options offer different starting points for planning: a direct bus from Shinjuku, or a train journey followed by a connecting bus.

Regional specialties visitors can try in Kusatsu include onsen manju and onsen tamago. Onsen manju are steamed sweet buns; onsen tamago are eggs cooked in hot springs. The Kusatsu International Music Academy and Festival also takes place in Kusatsu in August. Those who would like to include music in their trip can consider this event as a separate reason to visit, alongside the springs, traditions and outdoor activities.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider which aspects of Kusatsu you would like to shape your stay. If Yubatake and the surrounding restaurants and souvenir shops are important to you, the town center is a good area to focus your search on. If you mainly want to ski or snowboard, the approximate walking time from the center to the ski resort can help you assess whether its location suits your plans. This way, you can search for a holiday apartment in Kusatsu based on the kind of stay you want, without assuming that any particular amenities are required.

You can also discover Nakanojō as another destination.

For the broader travel overview: Agatsuma District.