Kusatsu Onsen: Japan’s Bubbling Hot Spring Capital in Gunma

Traveling from Tokyo toward the Sea of Japan offers a completely different landscape experience. Neighboring Tokyo, Gunma Prefecture boasts dozens of historic hot springs, earning it the title “Kingdom of Hot Springs.” A short trip to the Kanto hot spring area not only allows you to enjoy unique hot spring water stirring performances but also helps refresh and relieve fatigue.

Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, along with Arima Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture and Shirahone Onsen in Gifu Prefecture, are known as Japan’s Three Famous Springs. Renowned since ancient times for their miraculous healing properties, this hot spring destination has been frequented by notable historical figures such as Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199), founder of the Kamakura Shogunate; Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684–1751), the eighth shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate; and Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694), Japan’s first travel writer. With documentation dating back over 800 years and enduring fame, it remains one of Japan’s most popular hot spring towns to this day.

Even if you’re not staying overnight in Kusatsu Onsen, you can warm up by soaking your feet at the Yubatake (hot water field). The spectacular Yubatake is the source of Kusatsu’s hot springs, located in the heart of the onsen town. Every minute, about 4,000 liters of piping hot water gush from underground and flow down wooden channels. Over centuries, yellow sulfur deposits have accumulated along the way, and the year-round white steam and strong smell of sulfur create a sensory experience that engages touch, smell, and sight—making Kusatsu a truly immersive hot spring destination. Another fascinating tradition here is the ancient “time bath” method.

Since the temperature of Kusatsu’s hot springs is too high for direct bathing and the locals prefer not to dilute the original spring water with cold water, they use 2-meter-long wooden paddles to stir the water at the poolside to lower the temperature to a comfortable level. This unique temperature-regulating ritual is called “yu-nagashi” (hot water stirring) and serves as the prelude to the time bath method. While stirring the water, bathers sing traditional Kusatsu folk songs. After about 30 minutes, when the water cools down, they first pour water over their heads with ladles to adjust, then enter the bath together under the direction of the yubatake manager (yuzuya). They stay in the bath for about three minutes before exiting together, repeating this process four times in total—this is the traditional time bath ritual.

Although the time bath is less commonly practiced today, to preserve Kusatsu’s unique local culture, a traditional wooden bathhouse has been built next to the Yubatake where locals regularly perform the yu-nagashi ceremony. The lively spectacle adds joy to the hot spring town. Historic hot springs are often the best places to experience regional character, and Kusatsu Onsen stays true to its roots—maintaining its leading position as the top hot spring destination among the many “Kingdom of Hot Springs” in Gunma Prefecture.

Kusatsu Onsen
Transportation: Take the JR Agatsuma Line to “Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi” Station, then transfer to a bus bound for “Kusatsu Onsen” and get off at the final stop, Kusatsu Onsen.

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