草津温泉

KUSATSUONSEN

EnglishHave you heard of Japanese Onsen?

Kusatsu Onsen for beginners

Japan is now a dream destination for many reasons…Onsen is definitely one ofthem.Onsen has now become as iconic as Mt. Fuji, Sakura or Judo.Not exactly
a spa, Onsen has its own unique culture and soul.It is known for its therapeuticand cosmetic properties and the best place to relax.The word 'Onsen' itself is not
far from achieving world-wide recognition.

The beautiful Kusatsu Onsen is number one
among 3,000 or so Onsen in Japan according to aranking.

Kusatsu Onsen is one of the best known hot springs in Japan

Kusatsu has and will continue to represent the best Japanese Onsen can offer

Kusatsu Onsen is also a top-class Onsen Resort always close to
the hearts of the Japanese people.We are working together topromote the appeal of this embodiment of Japanese hospitality
to the world.Located on a plateau, Kusatsu-machi has many
places to be seen such as distinctive volcanic landscapes andhistorical cultural assets that all add to its charm.

Although not easily accessible deep in the mountains,Kusatsu Onsen has been well-known for the wideranging properties of its waters from old days.In theEdo era (1600s to 1850) Onsen charts, Kusatsu Onsen
dominated the top ranks, which naturally attracted
even more visitors and led to growing business.Today,
it still occupies the best positions in Onsen popularity

No.1

Kusatsu Onsen

rankings.The area is also extraordinary from the pointof view of hot water volume and variety, with over
100 different quality sources springing up all aroundtown.It has the largest natural hot water yield inJapan, with over 32,300 liters per minute, whichamounts to 230,000 steel drums or more per day.
Kusatsu takes first place in the 32st selectionof "Best 100 Onsen in Japan" marking its 16th
consecutive victory (as announced by the Tourism andEconomy Newspaper in 2018)

General ranking

No.1 Kusatsu Onsen
Ranking by category
Sainokawara outdoor bath:

The largest outdoor bath in Kusatsu Onsen with a feeling of freedom
surrounded by nature.Soak in the big bath and savour the magnificent
scenery with its fresh green in spring and summer, crimson foliage in fall orwhite snow in winter.

《Water quality category》

Ohtaki-no-Yu:

No.1 Kusatsu Onsen

Another day-trip spa where you can experience
traditional Onsen bathing, bathe in the waterwith lower temperature and higher temperature
gradually by turns.

《Ambience category》

No.1 Kusatsu Onsen

Goza-no-Yu:

Facing the Yubatake (Onsen mineralfarm), this is a replica of a woodenbuilding said to have existed around theEdo to Meiji eras (1600s-1900s) open
today for day-trip spa visitors.After bath,
you can overlook Yubatake from the rest
area in 2nd floor.

See here for more
information on
day-trip baths→
Otaki-no-Yu, Goza-no-Yu, and Sainokawara outdoor bath do not prohibit the entrance and bath of people with tattoos.Everyone iswelcome to enjoy Kusatsu Onsen as long as the rules and manners are observed.

Chart of best hot springs in all regions:

One of the most common Onsen ranking charts in the Edoperiod.Kusatsu Onsen ranks top in East Japan.

"Best 100 Onsen in Japan" ranking (organizedby t h e To u r i s m a n d Eco n o my N ews pa p e r) A
selection made by travel agents and other "travel
professionals" from Japan.Travel professionals send
their votes by postcard and the selection panel
made of representatives from 8 tourism-relatedorganizations decide the final ranking.

Kusatsu Onsen's symbol- Yubatake

Yu-momi and Jikan-yu

Overwhelming in scale, this is the Onsen mineral farm, Yubatake

Jikan-yu is a traditional bathing methodin Kusatsu inherited from the Edo period

Located at the heart of Kusatsu Onsen, mineral farm is thesymbol of Kusatsu and the most popular tourist spot in thearea.Workings of dozens of aqueducts carry out the hot water
while cooling it to as many ryokan (traditional inns).Yubatake issurrounded by ryokan, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops
for tourists' delight.

What is Yu-momi?

At their source, Kusatsu Onsen waters are extremely hot,reaching 50℃ in temperature and making it impossible tobathe in as is.However, simply adding cold water to lower thetemperature would also affect the quality of the Onsen.So backin the old days, people devised a way to bring down the source
temperature by using long wooden planks (180cm) to stir thehot water.Other benefits of 'Yu-momi' are giving the hot watera smoother quality and exercising slightly before taking a bath.
Currently, you can watch Yu-momi in Netsunoyu as show.

A one-of-a-kind Onsen visited by many shogun
It is a famous historical fact that Edo shoguns like Ieyasu(1st), Yoshimune (8th) and Ieharu (10th) had the hot watertransported to Edo so that they could enjoy bathing in Kusatsu
Onsen water.Many other lords, warlords and writers also visited
Kusatsu Onsen.Yubatake seems to have started around 1850
when barrels were installed to collect Yu-no-hana (mineraldeposits).Its name comes from Yu-no-hana and 'hatake' (farm),
which combined make Yubatake.

What is Jikan-yu?

National designated cultural property "Scenic Yubatake""On October 13, 2017, this landscape was recognized as a""Scenic Spot"" by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology"A natural hot spring located at
the center of the city is an unfamiliar sight in Japan, but it isproof of how the area developed around the Onsen graduallyattracting people from all over the country, and the town's
unique landscape and the hot spring culture were generated.
The unique ambience created by the hot steam flowing over
the rocky edges from the wooden pipes has been recognized asa symbol of the distinctive Kusatsu Onsen culture.Also, in Sep
2017, won the prize in Asia Townscape Award hosted by UN.

Okumiage-no-yuwaku:

A square wooden frame sunk in the center of
the Yubatake springs (Local important culturalproperty)This marks the site from where thethree Tokugawa shoguns (Ieyasu, Yoshimuneand Ieharu) had Kusatsu Onsen water loaded
into barrels and transported to Edo Castle sothat they could bathe in it, according to written
documents.

Our pursuit to provide an authentic Onsen experience"Water quality first"

At Kusatsu Onsen, we maintain exceptional
water quality.We provide fresh hot water fromthe source, made possible by the large natural
spring volume.Our hot water is highly acidic, withexcellent therapeutic propertiesWe are proud tobe one of the oldest and among the top 3 bestknown Onsen in Japan.We offer the ultimate
Onsen experience.

Kusatsu Onsen is
Number one in Japan for natural spring volume
Natural hot spring fresh from the source.
Hot spring with highly sterilizing properties.

By the end of the Edo era (1860s), people had adopted Yumomi and other bathing methods such as 'coordinated'bathing, which involved a large number of people all enteringand exiting the bath at the same time while trying to create all
little movement of the hot water as possible.In the Meiji era(from 1870s), a new bathing method called Jikan-yu (timedbathing) was adopted, by which people entered and exited thebath at times marked by the command of an Onsen Master.
Jikan-yu begins with Yu-momi before entering the bath andalso requires pouring hot water over your head over 30 times
with a small water pail to prevent hot flashes.At the commandof the Onsen Master, everyone enters the bath together andsoaks in for 3 minutes.Then everyone exits the hot water at theexit command.This is repeated four times a day.Currently, you
can watch Jikan-yu in "Chiyonoyu."

Go here for more
information on theNetsu-no-Yu bath.→Select a language from Japanese website.

Yu-momi experience
At the Netsu-no-Yu bath, you can see a showfeaturing the traditional Yu-momi and Yumomi songs.You can also participate in Yu-momi
yourself.
Shows●9:30, 10:00 and 10:30 am● 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30 pm (6 shows per day)Fees
600 yen/adult; 300 yen/child under 12(People with disabilities and one attendant get a 50%
discount upon presenting a Disability Certificate)Public baths

草津温泉スキー場
Kusatsu Snow and Spa Resort
草津温泉滑雪场
草津溫泉滑雪場
쿠사쯔온천 스키장至 白根山
To Mt. Shirane
至 白根山
至 白根山
시라네야마 방면Chiyo-no-Yu

天狗山通り
Tenguyama-dori st.
天狗山街
天狗山街텐구야마 거리

湯川Onsen River汤川
湯川
穴守稲荷神社유가와Anamori inari Shrine
穴守稲荷神社
穴守稲荷神社 鬼の茶釜
Oni-no-chagama
西の河原露天風呂 아나모리 이나리 신사
鬼之茶釜
Sainokawara Outdoor Onsen Bath鬼之茶釜
西之河原露天浴池오니노차가마
西之河原露天浴池사이노카와라 노천온천

ベルツ通り
Baelz-dori st.
贝尔兹街貝爾茲街베르츠 거리

片岡鶴太郎美術館
Kataoka Tsurutaro Museum
片冈鹤太郎美术馆
片岡鶴太郎美術館
가타오카쯔루타로 미술관

大滝乃湯
Otakinoyu Onsen
大瀑布之温泉
大瀧乃湯오타키노유 온천湯畑
Yubatake汤田湯田유바타케

光泉寺
Kosenji Temple
光泉寺
光泉寺
고센지

こまくさ病院
布施病院
Kusatsu Komakusa Hospital
Fuse Clinic
草津阔玛库萨医院
布施医院
草津闊瑪庫薩醫院
草津中学校
布施醫院쿠사쯔코마쿠사 병원후세 의원
Kusatsu
Junior High School
草津初中草津國中쿠사쯔 중학교

292

ベルツ記念館
Baelz memorial Hall贝尔兹纪念馆貝爾茲紀念館베르츠 기념관

環境体験アミューズメント
Environmental Amusement Park环境体验娱乐中心環境體驗娛樂中心
至 中之条町/六合地区
환경체험유원지To Nakanojo-machi / Kuni area
至 中之条町/六合地区
至 中之條町/六合地區나카노조마치/쿠니지구 방면

草津熱帯圏
Kusatsu Tropical Greenhouse
草津热带圈
草津熱帶圈
쿠사쯔 열대권

すずらん通りSuzuran-dori st.
铃兰街鈴蘭街스즈란 거리292

草津温泉バスターミナル（3F/温泉図書館）
Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal (3F Onsen Museum)
草津温泉公共汽车终点站 （3楼/温泉图书馆）
草津溫泉巴士終點站 （3樓/溫泉圖書館）쿠사쯔온천 버스터미널 (3F/온천도서관)草津温泉観光協会
Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association
草津温泉观光协会
草津溫泉觀光協會쿠사쯔온천 관광협회湯畑周辺

コンビニエンスストア
Convenience Store
便利（商）店
便利（商）店편의점

薬局
Pharmacy
药店
藥店
약국

金融機関
Bank金融机构
金融機構
금융기관

有料浴場
Charged Onsen
收费浴池
收費浴池
유료온천

ガソリンスタンド
Gas Station加油站
加油站
주유소

国際電話機
International Call
国际长途电话机
國際長途電話機국제전화기

郵便局
Post Oﬃce
邮局
郵局
우체국

駐車場
Parking Lot停车场
停車場
주차장

町内巡回バス
Town Cyclic Bus
町内观光巡回公共汽车
町內觀光巡迴巴士
마을버스 (마을 순환버스)信号Traﬃc Signal
信号灯
信號燈
신호

インフォメーション
Information
问讯处
資訊服務處
인포메이션

病院
Hospital
医院
醫院병원

歯科医院
Dental Clinic
牙科医院
牙科醫院
치과병원

千代の湯
Chiyonoyu Onsen
千代之温泉
千代之湯
치요노유 온천

Around Yubatake
汤田的周边
湯田的周邊
유바타케 주변

至 西の河原公園
To Sainokawara Park
至 西之河原公园
至 西之河原公園
사이노카와라 공원 방향（共同浴場）無料浴場
Free Public Onsen
免费浴池（公共浴池）
免費浴池（公共浴池）
무료온천(공중온천)トイレ
Toilet洗手间
洗手間
화장실

草津中和工場
Kusatsu Neutralization Plant
草津中和工厂
草津中和工廠쿠사쯔 중화공장

頌徳公園
Shotoku Park颂德公园頌德公園쇼토쿠 공원

スクリバ通りScriba-dori-St.
斯库里芭街
斯庫里芭街
스쿠리바 거리

草津小学校
Kusatsu Elementary School
草津小学
草津國小
쿠사쯔 초등학교

至 東京
To Tokyo至 东京至 東京
도쿄 방면

地蔵の湯
Jizonoyu Onsen
地藏之温泉地藏之湯지조노유 온천

草津温泉旅館組合
Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Association
草津温泉旅馆合作社
草津溫泉旅館合作社
쿠사쯔온천료칸협동조합

草津町役場
Kusatsu Town Hall
草津町公所
草津町公所
쿠사쯔초 주민센터

総合体育館
Gym Center综合体育馆綜合體育館종합체육관

道の駅
Road Station
道之车站
道之車站
미치노에키

テルメテルメTerme Terme
特如美特如美特如美特如美테르메테르메

日晃寺
Nikkoji Temple
日晃寺
日晃寺
닛코지白根神社
囲山公園
Shirane Shrine
Kakoiyama Park 白根神社
围山公园
白根神社
圍山公園
시라네 신사카코이야마 공원

草津ガラス蔵
Kusatsu Glass Depot
草津玻璃藏
草津玻璃藏
쿠사쯔유리장

草津総合保健福祉センター
Kusatsu General Health & Welfare Center
草津町综合保健福祉中心
草津町綜合保健福祉中心쿠사쯔초 종합보건복지센터292

Jizou-no-Yu

西の河原公園駐車場
Sainokawara-koen Parking
西之河原公园停车场西之河原公園停車場사이노카와라 공원 주차장

西の河原公園Sainokawara Park
西之河原公园
西之河原公園사이노카와라 공원

ビジターセンター
Visitors Center观光问询处觀光問訊處
관광안내소

®

Shirahata-no-Yu

ビッグバス
Big Bath
Big Bath（大型温泉设施）
Big Bath（大型溫泉設施）빅 버스

至 大滝乃湯To Otakinoyu Onsen
至 大瀑布之温泉至 大瀧乃湯오타키노유 온천 방향

湯滝前
「滝の湯」
西の河原通りSainokawara-dori st.
西之河原街
西之河原街
사이노카와라 거리

熱乃湯
Netsunoyu Onsen
热之温泉
熱之湯네쯔노유 온천

白旗の湯Shirahatanoyu Onsen
白旗之温泉
白旗之湯시라하타노유 온천

頼朝宮
Yoritomo-no-miya
御座之湯Gozanoyu Onsen 赖朝宫
賴朝宮
御座之温泉
湯路広場
요리토모궁
御座之湯Toji Square고자노유 온천
汤路广场
湯路廣場
토오지 광장

光泉寺
Kosenji Temple
光泉寺
光泉寺
고센지

湯畑
Yubatake汤田湯田유바타케

湯けむり亭（足湯）
Yukemuri-tei (Foot Bath)
温泉蒸汽亭（足浴）
溫泉蒸汽亭（足浴）
유케무리테이(족탕)将軍お汲み上げの湯涌
Shogun-okumiage-no-yuwaku
将军汲上来之汤框將軍汲上來之湯框쇼군쿠미아게노유테
(장군을 위한 퍼올려 만든 온천)至 バスターミナル
To Bus Terminal
至 公共汽车终点站
至 巴士終點站
버스터미널 방향Day-trip Onsen (paid)

Goza-no-Yu

Ohtaki-no-Yu

Sainokawara Outdoor BathKusatsu Onsen bus terminal footbath

Yubatake/ Yudaki (Taki-no-Yu footbath)Ashi-yu (Footbaths)

Yubatake (Yukemuri-tei footbath)

Jizou-no-Yu footbath

See here for more

See here for more

See here for more

information on

information on

information on

day-trip baths→

public baths→

bathing rules→

Select a language from Japanese website.

Four seasons at Kusatsu Onsen

SpringSpring is the best time to see rhododendrons,theofficial town flower, and Japanese azeleas.Freshgreen vegetation and colorful flowers stand out
against the still snow-capped mountain peaks.

Summer

A cool breeze blows over the plateau at Kusatsu.
The annual average temperature at Kusatsu
Onsen is 7℃ and 17.5℃ in mid-summer (Julythrough August) when temperatures rarely rise
above 30℃.Summer is perfect for hiking andother outdoor activities.

Fall

Fall at Kusatsu is a tapestry of crimson andyellow.The contrast of vivid colors against theclear autumn sky creates a dazzling natural

Recommended tours①Kousenji Temple Time required: 20 min.

A walk through Sainokawara ParkThe Yakushi-Nyorai is the medicine
and ailments Buddha ascetic
enshrined in Onsen areas and it
was believed that everyone canbe pacified when entering anOnsen bath and pray. This belief
continued until mid-Meiji era(1889-1904).The old Yakushido Temple used to stand whereKousenji Temple stands today.The
Shaka-do (Buddha Temple) foundon the grounds of Kousenji Temple
is the oldest building in Kusatsu.

Located west of Kusatsu Onsen, thepark covers an area where hot springs
spring out virtually from every corner.
The hot steam rising from each of these
springs forms the so-called Yu-kawa, orOnsen Steam River.Tradition says thatdemons live here and the place wasfeared as the Demons' Springs becauseof the view, so when you are here, you
are not supposed to shout or scream,as that would attract the demons.
Place names such as Demon's Teapot
and Demons' Sumo Ring are today's
reminders of the old tales.365 days ayear, from sunset to 24:00, Sainokawara
Park is brightened up by beautiful lights.
Sainokawara Park is a must see at night.

②Yubatake(Mineral deposit farm)Time required: 1-2 hours

The tour circles around Yubatake
See the Okumiage-no-yuwaku
wooden frame and the stone thatmarks the place where Yoshimune,
the 8th shogun, is said to have bathed.
Also enjoy shopping and tasting
various local foods at Kusatsu's manyryokan, hotels, restaurants or souvenir
shops located around Yubatake.The
tour includes two footbaths and thebest location for taking pictures ofYudaki (Onsen waterfall).One hour
will certainly feel too short for thistour offering everything from naturallandscapes and shops, to culture,footbaths, and Yu-momi shows.Atnight, Yubatake is otherworldly.365
days a year, from sunset to midnight,
Yubatake lights up just for you.Don't Memorial stone marking the place
where shogun Yoshimune bathed
miss Yubatake at night!

monotone world in winter.With its frost-covered

This is the main street of Kusatsu, withlots of traditional Japanese sweets
shops, souvenir stores and restaurants.
Simply walking down the street
does not take more than 10 minutes.
However, if you try a bite of this andthat, enjoy the scenery and have a lookinside a few stores or have a leisurely
lunch, one hour might not be enough.

Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort offers a fun Kids' Park.

Demons' Sumo Ring

Anamori Inari Shrine⑤Sainokawara Outdoor Bath Time required: 30 min.- 1 hour
Relax at Sainokawara Outdoor BathThe men's and women's baths together
occupy an area of 500㎡, which makes
this outdoor bath one of the biggest inJapan.Relax soaking in big bathtubs filledwith hot water, surrounded by the forest,and forget all daily worries and stress.Feelthe cool plateau breeze touching your skin.
Enjoy the beauty of scenery that changes
with every season- the fresh green of earlysummer, the crimson of fall or white of
winter snow.Soaking in an outdoor bath atnight is a unique experience too.
Sainokawara Outdoor Bath at night

Enjoy the view of the mountainbehind Sainokawara Park(Mt.
Maruyama) lit up at night fromthis outdoor bath.

③ Sainokawara Street Time required: 1-2 hours
A walk along Sainokawara St.

offers its own delights to enjoy.For families,

Sainokawara Park light-up

Yudaki (Onsen waterfall)Completely covered in snow, Kusatsu becomes atrees shimmering in the sunlight, winter nature④Sainokawara Park Time required: 30 min.

The tour begins with a visit to Kousenji Temple

beauty that can heal the mind and body.

WinterYubatake & Sainokawara WalkTime required: 1 day

Select a language from Japanese website.

The Yubatake & Sainokawara
Walk tours are here

For information onother recommended tours, go here

Information

Gunma
Prefecture

Kusatsu
Onsen145

Nakanojo
ShibukawaIkaho ICAgatsuma Line

Shinmaebashi

Karuizawa

Niigata

Joshin'etsuExpresswayKyoto

UsuiKaruizawa
IC* Limited express charges for reserved seats vary by season

Naganohara
Takasaki
Hokuriku ShinkansenKusatsu-guchi

Ueno

Narita Airport

Osaka

JR busKusatsu
Limitedexpress
FujiokaJct.

Takasaki

Kusatsu

Limited express Kusatsu About 2h 33 min. · Non-reserved normal car seat 4,750 yen

Tokyo
NagoyaKan'etsu
Expressway
JR bus25 min.

· Reserved normal car seat 5,270 yen *700 yen

Misato Jct.

Oizumi Jct.
ICKotsu or Seibu Kanko buses
Shinkansen NerimaKusakaru
TokyoTokyo

Expressway

Train

Narita Airport

Karuizawa

Kusatsu

General roadHokuriku Shinkansen

normal car seat 5,390 y
About 1h 10 min. ·· Non-reserved
Reserved normal car seat 5,910 yen *Kusakaru Kotsu or 1h 18 min.- 1h 55 min.
Seibu Kanko buses · Kusakaru Kotsu bus 2,200 yen· Seibu Kanko bus(3,880 yen in summer and 2,200 in winter)

Express bus

JR busKusatsu Limited express* Limited express charges for reserved seats vary by season

Ueno

Takasaki

Naganohara
Kusatsu-guchi

Tokyo or Shinjuku
JR busesKusatsu

Basta Shinjuku

Limited express Kusatsu About 2h 33 min. · Non-reserved normal car seat 4,750 yen
JR bus25 min.

· Reserved normal car seat 5,270 yen *· Regular fare 3,450 yen **The fare may vary during busy seasons

Via Karuizawa
Shibuya Karuizawa Kusatsu
Mark CityAbout 4h 40 min.

700 yen* Tokyu BusKusakaru Kotsu or Seibu Kanko buses

Shinkansen

Kusatsu Onsen Non-stop
Kusatsu About 4h 7 min.

· One-way fare 3,500 yen

JR busTokyo

Karuizawa

Tokyu BusKusatsu

normal car seat 5,390 yen
Hokuriku Shinkansen About 1h 10 min. ·· Non-reserved
Reserved normal car seat 5,910 yen *Kusakaru Kotsu or 1h 18 min.- 1h 55 min.
Seibu Kanko buses · Kusakaru Kotsu bus 2,200 yen· Seibu Kanko bus(3,880 yen in summer and 2,200 in winter)

For sightseeing andtraffic information,
see here

Express bus
Tokyo or Shinjuku
JR buses

Kusatsu Onsen Non-stop
Kusatsu About 4h 7 min.

· Regular fare
3,450 yen * Tourism Division
Kusatsu-machi Town
Office*The fare may vary during busy seasons

The bus timetable is here

Basta Shinjuku

TEL+81-279-88-7188

FAX+81-279-88-5468

Via Karuizawa

E-mailkankou-02@town.kusatsu.gunma.jp

Shibuya
Contactfor inquiries
aboutsightseeing
Karuizawa
KusatsuMark CityAbout 4h 40 min.

· One-way fare 3,500 yen
TEL +81-279-88-0800
Kusatsu
Tourism Association* Tokyu Onsen
BusE-mailContact Cooperative Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan for inquiries about accommodations

Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Association

TEL+81-279-88-3722

you-love@kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp