Kusatsu Onsen and Yubatake from Tokyo

Kusatsu Onsen is a hot spring town in the mountains of Gunma, reached from Tokyo by Shinkansen and then a local train and bus. It works as a long day trip, but a night’s stay lets you enjoy the baths instead of the commute.

What is Kusatsu Onsen, and what is the Yubatake?

Kusatsu is known for hot spring water and a traditional way of cooling it, the yumomi performance. Visitors can watch it before a soak in a mineral-rich bath ¹.

The Yubatake is the hot water field at the heart of the town, where the spring flows through wooden channels. It is a place to look at, not to bathe in. Pair it with a bath at your inn or a public bath.

How do you get there from Tokyo?

The Joetsu Shinkansen, the bullet train between major cities, runs from Tokyo or Ueno to Takasaki in about 50 minutes. Local trains cost less and take under two hours ².

Kusatsu has no train station. A direct express from Ueno to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station takes about 2.5 hours, then a 25-minute bus reaches town ³.

Direct JR buses also leave from Shinjuku Bus Terminal ³. Timetables change by season, so we confirm the connection for your date before you decide.

Should you do a day trip or stay overnight?

A day trip is possible, but the transfers take much of the day. If your goal is the bath and a quiet evening, stay a night.

Choose a day trip if you are already based in Tokyo, travel light and want only a taste. Choose a night if you travel with elders or want a slow dinner and a second soak. See Tokyo day trips by effort level for where Kusatsu sits.

What should you prepare for the baths?

Wash thoroughly before entering the bath. Some traditional onsen may not accept tattoos, and a private bath is one option ⁴. Read our onsen etiquette guide and the onsen-ready stay checklist.

For modest travellers, ask about private baths or rooms with a private open-air bath. See private open-air bath rooms.

What should Malaysian travellers know?

Mountain air is cooler than Tokyo, so bring layers, even if the forecast looks mild. The water at the Yubatake is about 55 °C before it cools ³, and bath water can feel strong to a body used to warm weather, so soak briefly and drink water.

Meals at inns are set menus. For halal-aware requests, ask in writing before you book. A trip with grandparents is easier with a private bath and a short, planned transfer, as in Kanto with grandparents.

Send us your dates and group, and we shape a day or a night in Kanto around the baths.