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This is my travel report from Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma. Looking back, it was a great experience, especially since I was there at the end of February. There was 2 to 3 meters of snow in some places, but the good thing was that it snowed a lot just before and after our departure, so we had perfect sunshine.
Since Kusatsu Onsen is quite easy and quick to get to from Tokyo, you can definitely make a trip there. In addition, there is a ski resort about 20 minutes' walk or 6 minutes' drive away ( Google Maps ), so if you want to go skiing first and then take a nice hot bath in an onsen in the evening, Kusatsu Onsen is probably perfect for you, especially since the snow is real.
Have fun with the post, I hope you like it :)
From Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen
Since Kusatsu Onsen is located near Tokyo, it is probably one of the most popular places to visit an onsen town. With train and bus the journey takes about 3 to 5 hours depending on the departure point. By car it takes about 3 to 4 hours , so not much faster. But it is more comfortable, since you don't have to change trains and don't have to carry your luggage.
No matter how you get there, if you leave in the morning, you will have the afternoon and evening of the first day, so you could already go to the Yubatake.
The Hotel in Kusatsu Onsen
We chose the hotel "Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village" because it was cheap, good and located a little outside the city. Since we were traveling by car, that was no problem for us. I'll go into the topic of the bus shuttle later, so you can also get to the sights without a car. The hotel was very tidy, very big and also had a very large dining room and its own onsen.
Although we had a car, we also walked to the main attraction "Yubatake" at noon. It was about 15 minutes on foot , so not very far. The shopping street and restaurants are also at the Yubatake.
The cost for the main season was also quite reasonable. As of the end of February 2022, we paid about 142 € (20.100 Yen) per night for two people, one room, excluding extras.
Directly at the Yubatake, it can be as much as 30,000 Yen to 70,000 Yen per night, which is about 200 - 500 € per night.
Hotel Bus Shuttle from the Hotel to the Sights and Back
The hotel bus shuttle is a must. Even if you arrive by car, there is hardly any parking in the city center. In addition, there is a lot of snow in the high season, so driving can be difficult at times. Since you are not allowed to drive in Japan after a beer, you can use the car for the sights that are a little further away and park it on the hotel's large parking lot otherwise. The hotel bus shuttle is free, by the way, and runs regularly, even in the evening.
Other Hotels in the Area
Affiliate Link: If you book a hotel on Booking.com through my widget or my link, I will receive a small commission. There are no additional costs for you and you support my blog. I am very grateful and wish you lots of fun traveling (^_^)Yubatake
The Yubatake is the main attraction of Kusatsu Onsen. Most people who have ever seen onsen videos from Japan have probably seen the Yubatake. It is much bigger than you would imagine and naturally smells very strongly of rotten eggs, but after a few hours this is no longer so noticeable, it is not very unpleasant, but you definitely notice it. This also applies to the whole city, but it is most intense there. Restaurants and shopping streets have developed around the Yubatake, so you can eat and shop after the main attraction.
A Hot River in Kusatsu Onsen (Sainokawara Park)
My highlight was definitely the warm river surrounded by snow. I couldn't imagine a real river that's warm, even though there's snow on the edge. Since it comes from the mountains, the sediment is also very white, I think it comes from the minerals and especially the sulfur you can smell everywhere. To use the river, there are many pools next to the river where you can soak your feet after a long day. The water is not too hot and has the perfect temperature. But don't do it like us and forget a towel XD Otherwise you have to dry your feet with handkerchiefs.
Shopping Street
The shopping streets are located directly at the Yubatake, so in the center. Here you will find souvenirs, street food, restaurants, sweets and much more. After about 30 minutes to a maximum of one hour you have seen everything.
Food in Kusatsu Onsen - Restaurants
We ate at the restaurant Matsumoto (まつもと - Google Maps ) because they had these special flat noodles and sauce katsu. The menu also had Gunmachan-Cyder, so I ordered it right away. In Japan, it is common for the prefectures (similar to the federal states in Germany) to have their own mascots. Since Kusatsu Onsen is located in Gunma Prefecture, you will also see many Kunmachans on products and food.
Street Food in Kusatsu Onsen
There is also street food in the shopping streets, although not very much, but some shops. Here you can get yakitori (chicken and other meats on skewers) and fish on skewers, often trout.
Onsen Tamago
We actually found real onsen tamago. This is a very specially prepared egg that used to be cooked with hot spring water. Since it is not hard-boiled, the egg white is already cloudy and somewhat firm, but the yolk is usually almost completely liquid. Prepared with soy sauce, it tastes incredibly good. You don't have to worry about raw eggs in Japan. The legal and cultural regulations are very strict here, because in Japan raw egg is eaten all year round with many dishes.
Zoo (Tropical Wonderland) with Monkeys and Capybaras
From the Yubatake there is a small zoo with capybaras, pigs, monkeys and many other animals. It's not a real zoo, though, more like a small animal park. The good thing is that you can feed almost all the animals with fruit, vegetables and leaves if you make a small donation. I found it very sweet, especially with the capybaras and pigs. For about 8 € (1,100 Yen entry + feed donation (100 Yen)) you have about an hour of fun there. With children who love to feed animals, it's probably a bit more. So definitely a recommendation as a little distraction, even if it is a bit expensive.
For those coming by car, there are also a few parking spaces.
Kusatsu Onsen - Temples
There are many shrines and temples in the area, which I found very beautiful, especially in winter. But since I'm not religious, I can't say much more about it. Most are rather small, but you can definitely visit them, as they are usually centrally located.
A Few FAQs - Questions and Answers
1. Where is Kusatsu Onsen and how do you get there?
Kusatsu Onsen is located in Gunma Prefecture in Japan. The city is accessible by train or bus from Tokyo.
2. What is an onsen and what can you expect in Kusatsu Onsen?
An onsen is a hot spring in Japan, often used as a public bath. In Kusatsu Onsen there are numerous onsen baths with different types of water and temperatures. In addition, there are many shops, restaurants and activities in Kusatsu Onsen, such as skiing and snowboarding.
3. Are there any special rules or etiquette to follow when visiting an onsen?
Yes, there are some rules and etiquette you should follow. For example, you should shower before entering the bath, wash yourself completely and not sit in the water with towels. Also, you should not wear clothes in the bathing area. Find out more in the Onsen post .
4. Where are the best places to go skiing or snowboarding in Kusatsu Onsen?
The best places to go skiing or snowboarding in Kusatsu Onsen are Kusatsu International Ski Resort and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane Ski Area.
5. How long should you stay in Kusatsu Onsen to see and experience everything?
To see and experience everything in Kusatsu Onsen, it is recommended to spend at least 2-3 days there.
6. What is the best time of year to visit Kusatsu Onsen?
The best time to visit Kusatsu Onsen is in winter, when there is a lot of snow and the onsen baths are especially pleasant. Kusatsu Onsen is also a beautiful destination in spring and autumn.
7. How much money should you budget for a stay in Kusatsu Onsen?
The cost of a stay in Kusatsu Onsen varies depending on the season and accommodation. A budget of around 150 to 200 Euros per day for accommodation, food and activities should be sufficient.
Sources:
- Wikipedia Kusatsu Onsen: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusatsu_(Gunma)
- Google Maps
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