How to Get to Kusatsu Onsen
As one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, visiting Kusatsu Onsen is well-worth the effort. Located high in the mountains of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Kusatsu sits among a dramatic and unique landscape, far from the hustle and hum of the cities. On this page you will find the following information:
— 25 Things to Do Around Kusatsu Onsen & Where to Stay
Despite its relative remoteness, Kusatsu Onsen is readily accessible thanks to Japan’s fantastic transport network. For most visitors, reaching Kusatsu is a two-stage journey involving the train and then bus via Karuizawa Station. Alternatively, driving yourself is a great option from late-spring through to autumn with the Shiga Kusatsu Kogen Route passing through Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and ending at the Jigokudani Monkey Park – see below for details.
No matter how you choose to get there, Kusatsu Onsen is one of the most unique destinations in Japan and thus a journey well-worth making. We hope the following information is of assistance in planning your visit and we can entice you to explore our home region of Central Japan.
WHERE IS KUSATSU ONSEN?
Located just under 200KM / 3.5 hours drive from Tokyo, Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. Best-known for its iconic ‘yubatake’ (hot water field) that feeds the hot springs of the many hotels and guesthouses found through the town, Kusatsu is the most famous of Gunma Prefectures four hot spring towns – along with Minakami Onsen, Ikaho Onsen and Shima Onsen – see below for details. Kusatsu Onsen sits at 1200 metres above sea level and within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, offering escape from the congestion of the cities and heat and humidity of summer. For international visitors using the train network, Kusatsu Onsen is easy to reach via Karuizawa Station. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Kusatsu is only 65 to 75-minutes from the capital. Once in Karuizawa, local buses run to the centre of Kusatsu Onsen, taking around 80-minutes.
HOW TO GET TO KUSATSU ONSEN
For international visitors wanting to move around Japan using public transport, the easiest way to reach Kusatsu Onsen is via Karuizawa Station. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, Karuizawa is within easy reach of Tokyo, Nagano, Kanazawa or any other connecting station. There are different services – the Kagayaki, Hakutaka and Asama – operating on the Hokuriku Shinaknsen line to Karuizawa:
FROM TOKYO: the Hakutaka takes around 65 minutes to reach Karuizawa from Tokyo Station. The slower Asama service takes around 75 minutes to reach Karuizawa.
FROM NAGANO: both the Hakutaka and Asama take around 30 minutes to reach Karuizawa from Nagano Station.
FROM KANAZAWWA: take the Hakutaka service to Karuizawa. From Kanazawa Station, the total journey takes around 120 minutes.
To see the daily train schedule, see our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Timetable’ page and for directions to Karuizawa from these and other starting points, see our ‘How To Get To Karuizawa’ page.
GETTING TO KUSATSU ONSEN FROM KARUIZAWA
Once at Karuizawa Station, you need to transfer to the Seibu Kanko local bus line headed to Kusatsu Onsen. The journey takes approximately 80 minutes. Buses to Kusatsu Onsen operate to the righthand side of the station’s North Exit:
Buses from Kusatsu Onsen operate from the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal*:
*the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal is approximate 5-minutes walk from the town center/’yubatake’.
RENTING A CAR & DRIVING YOURSELF
Outside of winter, driving to and from Kusatsu Onsen is a great way to experience the region. Japan maintains an excellent road system including tolled expressways which dramatically reduce the time between destinations. From Tokyo, allow a minimum of 3.5 hours to reach Kusatsu Onsen but more realistically, when including stops and other destinations on the way allow at least 4.5 to 5 hours to make the journey enjoyable.
From Nagano, driving to Kusatsu Onsen takes around 2 hours without stopping. Doing so via the Shiga Kusatsu Kogen Route makes for a beautiful drive on a well-maintained alpine road. The route is only open from May until mid/late-November and cannot be driven during winter. Upon opening in May, sections of the road cut through snow and ice up to 7 metres in height – an impressive and beautiful sight.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Driving this route also takes you past the Jigokudani Monkey Park, making it an excellent way to visit some of the region’s most memorable destinations. For more information, see our ’25 Things To Around Kusatsu Onsen & Where To Stay’ page.
EXPRESS BUSES FROM TOKYO
Highway buses run from Shibuya Mark City to Kusatsu Onsen, taking around 4.5 hours. Given the notably longer time to reach Kusatsu yet relatively small price difference compared to the bullet train, we do not recommend using the bus.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND KUSATSU ONSEN & WHERE TO STAY
Any visit to Kusatsu Onsen is all about the hot springs! Fed by the volcanic waters of nearby Mount Shirane, the ‘onsen’ (hot springs) of Kusatsu have long been known for their rejuvenating powers. Hot spring hotels and guesthouses are spread throughout the town, while in the surrounding area visitors can enjoy the open expanse of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, the nearby mountain resort town of Karuizuawa and lots of other great destinations and activities. Our ’25 Things To Do Around Kusatsu Onsen & Where To Stay’ page has lots of tips and suggestions of what’s on offer and accommodation listings in the area.
TOURS AND CHARTERS TO KUSATSU
Are you convinced that visiting Kusatsu is a great idea? If so, our group tour of the area may be for you! As always, our guides are professional and friendly and our dedicated tour vehicles and drivers are safe and ready to whisk you to your destination.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Karuizawa: Unwind in Kusatsu Onsen | |
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| Period | April – November |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Karuizawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥15,500 |
Offering pick up from both Nagano Station and Karuizawa Station, this tour can be easily joined even by those coming up from Tokyo. With a stop on the way at the dry lava fields of the Onioshidashien, this tour will show you the best of Kusatsu, give you time to eat or enter an Onsen at your own discretion, and bring you to the top of Mount Shirane on one of Japan’s most scenic roads.
If all you need is a vehicle to take you, your group, and your luggage to the Kusatsu area, look no further! Our private charters provide door-to-door service from a location of your choice, to anywhere you want to go in and around Kusatsu! For more information on pricing and availability, please contact us HERE.
