Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉)

Map

Getting There

• bus
• car

Best Times to Visit

• summer: Cool highland temperatures make walking comfortable, while summer festivals and traditional performances add cultural appeal.
• autumn: Autumn brings colorful mountain and park scenery, pleasant conditions for walking, and atmospheric outdoor hot-spring views.
• winter: Snow transforms the town and mountains, enabling skiing and distinctive snowy landscapes alongside especially inviting hot springs.

What's There

• culture: Traditional Yumomi performances and historic hot-spring customs are central to the town’s identity.
• festival: Summer includes the annual Onsen Festival and shrine festivities featuring ceremonies, performances, and local traditions.
• food: Popular specialties include steamed bean-paste buns, hot-spring eggs, soba, pudding, and regional dining.
• hiking: Walking trails connect geothermal landscapes, mountain viewpoints, wetlands, forests, and nearby natural attractions.
• history: Yumomi demonstrates a longstanding method of cooling hot-spring water, reflecting Kusatsu’s bathing heritage.
• mountain: The resort sits in a highland mountain environment with alpine viewpoints and mountain recreation.
• nature: Volcanic terrain, steaming springs, forests, wetlands, and seasonal landscapes surround the hot-spring town.
• onsen: Kusatsu is renowned for abundant hot springs, with Yubatake as its defining thermal landmark.
• park: Sainokawara Park offers paths through rocks, streams, steam vents, and illuminated geothermal scenery.
• river: Sainokawara’s riverside geothermal setting includes hot water emerging among rocks and flowing channels.
• sake: Regional Gunma sake is sold through local retailers and featured among Kusatsu’s shopping specialties.
• shopping: Souvenir shops and food-walking areas offer sweets, regional sake, pudding, and other local products.
• tropical: Kusatsu Tropical Wonderland provides a heated greenhouse environment with subtropical plants and animals.
• views: Steam-filled landmarks, mountain scenery, illuminated parks, and elevated viewpoints create strong visual appeal.
• wildlife: The tropical park houses animals including reptiles and capybaras, with interactive experiences.
• snow: Heavy winter snowfall supports skiing, snow scenery, winter illumination, and seasonal outdoor recreation.

Specialties

• Onsen Manju (温泉まんじゅう): Steamed sweet buns filled with bean paste are one of Kusatsu Onsen’s best-known edible souvenirs. Local shops offer several varieties, including traditional red-bean and regional specialty fillings.
• Onsen Eggs (温泉たまご): Eggs prepared using hot-spring heat are a popular snack sold along Kusatsu’s main walking streets. They are commonly enjoyed while exploring the Yubatake and Sainokawara areas.
• Soba (そば): Handmade soba is widely featured in Kusatsu’s local dining scene, often served with seasonal mountain ingredients. The official tourism association lists several soba restaurants in and around the hot-spring district.
• Kusatsu Onsen Pudding (草津温泉プリン): Kusatsu Onsen Pudding is a popular modern dessert sold as a take-home treat and street-food snack. It appears in the official tourism association’s food-walking listings.
• Gunma Sake (群馬の日本酒): Locally produced Gunma sake is available through Kusatsu souvenir shops and regional sake retailers. The official tourism association specifically lists the Asama Shuzo sightseeing center among Kusatsu’s shopping destinations.