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Our guide
Kusatsu Onsen is a hot-spring town in Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, and it has been a resort for centuries. It became widely known after Erwin von Bälz, a German doctor who taught medicine at Tokyo University, recommended its water for health. The water comes from nearby Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, and because the baths draw on different sources, it ranges from cloudy to clear.
There are 13 public baths, and the small bathhouses that are free to townspeople and visitors alike are run by the townspeople themselves — a good reason to try more than one. Locals like to say the springs cure every ailment except lovesickness.
Jōshin'etsu-kōgen National Park is about 2.5 km away in a straight line. We have not checked a public-transport route, so plan the journey on the map.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Yubatake (Kusatsu Onsen) — おにく · CC0 · source · resized
- Kusatsuhotspring jizonoyu — Quatrogatos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsuhotspring jizogensen — Quatrogatos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsuhotspring chiyonoyu — Quatrogatos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsu Yumomi, Gunma 03 — Σ64 · CC BY 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsu Yubatake, Gunma 04 — Σ64 · CC BY 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsu Shirahata-gensen, Gunma 01 — Σ64 · CC BY 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake 1950s — Project kei · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Kusatsu-Rurinoyu — Cassiopeia sweet · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · resized
- 251129 Otaki-no-yu 03 — Aspere · CC0 · source · resized
What this place is
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is a hot spring resort located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, northwest of Tokyo. It is a popular tourist destination. There are 13 public baths at Kusatsu Onsen. The small bathhouses that are free for both town residents and tourists are managed by the townspeople themselves. The source of its hot water is nearby Mount Kusatsu-Shirane and the appearance of the waters range from cloudy to clear, because the sources of the water that the baths rely upon are different. The springs were known as a resort for centuries, but they became well known after the water was recommended for its health benefits by Erwin von Bälz, a German doctor who taught medicine at Tokyo University. The locals claim the hot springs can cure all forms of ailments, other than lovesickness. Guests have claimed that pain disappears while soaking in its hot water.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Hot spring
Getting there
We do not have step-by-step transit directions for this spot yet. Open the location on Google Maps for routes from where you are staying.
Stay the night
An onsen town is at its best in the evening and early morning, after the day visitors have gone.
Hotels near Kusatsu Onsen on Agoda
AD Affiliate link: if you book through it, we may earn a commission from Agoda, at no extra cost to you. Hotels, prices and availability are Agoda’s, for the whole town around this spot.
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