Kusatsu Onsen Baths
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Attractions > Other Cities and Areas > Hot Springs > Kusatsu Onsen
About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees
Sainokawara Onsen
About
Kusatsu Onsen is most famous for it's Onsens or Hot Springs Baths (for more information on the town and area, please visit the Kusatsu Onsen page). Kusatsu has the largest natural flow of hot springs water in all of Japan, has been considered among "the best" hot springs areas in Japan and consistently ranks at the top of past and present Japan "Hot Springs Rankings"! Most of this hot springs water surfaces in the center of town in the spot called "Yubatake" (see an area map below). The hot springs water at Kusatsu is renowned for it's health benefits which include opening your pores and increasing blood flow within your body and to your brain.
You can soak and relax in one of Kusatsu's hot springs baths at:
- A Public Bath House: The three most popular being Sai No Kawara, Gozan No Yu & Outaki No Yu (see below for detailed information).
- A Ryokan (Japanese Inn): Staying guests at a Ryokan can of course use baths for free but some Ryokans also offer "bath only" passes for a fee of typically between 500 - 1500 yen.
- A Community bath house : These are FREE bathhouses that the generally the locals use. Visitors may also use these bathhouses but note that the baths are generally pretty small (only fitting 2-4 people), are pretty hot & may be crowded at times.
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Popular Bath Houses in Kusatsu
Notes: Generally admission to bath houses stop 30 min. to 1 hour before closing time. "Cost", "Hours" and "Closed" days are posted here for convenience but may fluctuate depending on season and business alterations. Please visit the official site of each business (if available) for exact data. Most of these bath houses provide separate facilities for male/female, a locker, showers and the bath. You should bring your own "drying off" towel and "hiding towel" if so desired.
Sainokawara
Cost: 600 yen
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (from 9:00 a.m. from December to March)
Closed: No closing days
Official Website
Google Map
One of Japan's largest "Outdoor Open Air Baths", Sai No Kawara (in Japanese 西の河原露天風呂) can handle over a hundred bathers. It is a "public" open air bath (in Japanese; 露天風呂 Rotenburo) set in a beautiful setting for all seasons. Sai No Kawara bath is in Sai No Kawara park which is about a 15-20 min. walk from the main bus station.
Gozan No Yu
Cost: 500 yen
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
Official Website
Google Map
A relatively new bath house, Gozan No Yu (in Japanese 御座之湯) opened in 2013 and is right next to the Yubatake. Gozan No Yu offers a stone bath and a wooden bath that are switched between the genders on a daily basis. The baths each have two pools that are fed by different types of thermal waters. You may also relax (take a nap after a long hot bath) on the 2nd floor for an additional charge. Gozan No Yu is about a 10 min. walk from the main bus station.
Otaki No Yu
Cost: 800 yen
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
Official Website
Google Map
Note that Otaki No Yu (in Japanese 大滝乃湯) is not on the map above. This onsen is about a 10 min. walk East (to the right when looking at a map) from center of town. Please use the Google Map link for exact location. Otaki No Yu is a great place to relax at because they offer quite a variety of different indoor and outdoor baths. The "main" bath area is called Awaseyu which has multiple tubs, each with different temperatures ranging from 38C (100.4F) to 46C (114.8F). The Awaseyu tubs are made out of traditional wood and the atmosphere is very calming and relaxing.
Jizo No Yu
Cost: FREE
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
No Website
Google Map
Jizonoyu (in Japanese 地蔵の湯) is a "Community Bath House" and is free to enjoy. The tubs here are filled with hot water (sometimes very hot) from the spring in front of the building. There are gender segregated tubs that fit about 4 to 6 people each. Jizo No Yu is just a short 5 min. walk from the Yubatake area and easy to find. Jizo No Yu also offers "Jikan Yu" which is "timed therapy bathing sessions".
Shirahata No Yu
Cost: FREE
Hours: 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Closed: No closing days
No Website
Google Map
Shirahata No Yu (in Japanese 白旗の湯) is another one of the popular "Cummunity Bath Houses" you can enjoy for free. The soaking water here is very hot so be prepared for that. Shirahata No Yu is close by the Yubatake area and has two small tubs that can fit 2-4 people each.
Chiyo No Yu
Cost: 560 yen
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed: Every Monday and the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month
No Website
Google Map
Chiyo No Yu (in Japanese 千代の湯) is a 1 min walk from Yubatake, next to Osaka-ya. Where you can experience the "Jikan No Yu" (timed therapy bathing sessions) bathing style at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (arrive at least five minutes beforehand). It would probably be a good idea to get a ticket an hour or two in advance. Then, walk around a bit and come back for your session.
Choju No Yu
Cost: FREE
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed: (various)
No Website
Google Map
Choju No Yu (in Japanese 長寿の湯) is a free public bath that is visited mainly by locals. It is a very small and "cozy" bathhouse where you may meet happy and relaxed locals that want to start up a conversation with you.
Access
Closest Train Station: Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi
Gunma Japan
Note that Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi is the closest Train Station. From Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi you will need to take a JR bus to Kusatsu. Please visit the Kusatsu Onsen page for more details.
Hotels & Lodging
Recommended
View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Kusatsu Onsen Baths.
Hours & Fees
Hours: Generally from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (depending on establishment)
Closed: (depends on each establishment)
Cost: (depends on each establishment)
Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.
Resources
Website: Kusatsu Onsen Baths Homepage
