Day trip bathing travel journals to hot springs where we visited by train and bus

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu

421, Oaza-Kusatsu, Kusatsu Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture

Compare two unique hot springs sources! A relaxing stop-by onsen facility that to go while strolling around Yubatake.

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu bathing room
Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu hot water spout Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu exterior Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake

The hot spring sources are Bandaiko source and Yubatake source, which are representative of Kusatsu Onsen. You can enjoy the two hot spring sources without heating and flowing directly from the sources.

There is a legend about the Shogun MINAMOTO-no Yoritomo at the Old Gozanoyu. The current Gozanoyu was built on the site of the Old Gozanoyu, using a lot of wood and in a traditional style. At the break room, you can relax and enjoy the view of Yubatake.

Kusatsu Onsen, which ranks first in the popular onsen rankings, gushes the highest volume of natural hot spring water in Japan (31,582 liters per minute) and has a unique onsen culture. Yubatake, located in the center of Kusatsu, is full of steam and is lit up at night.

Location

Rating of access

0.5 pt(from Ueno)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Kanto Region
Gunma Pref.

JR Agatsuma Line

onsen

Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR: 3 hrs 40 min Takasaki Line - Agatsuma Line ¥ 3,080
  • Gunma Otsu Sta.Walk: 3 hrs 12 km (7.5 mi) Max difference in elevation: 606 m (1988 ft)
  • Gozanoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR: 3 hrs 40 min Takasaki Line - Agatsuma Line ¥ 3,080
  • Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Sta.Bus: 28 min ¥ 710
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminalWalk: 4 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Gozanoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR Express: 2 hrs 20 min Kusatsu Non-reserved seat ¥ 4,840
  • Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Sta.Bus: 28 min ¥ 710
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminalWalk: 4 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Gozanoyu
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.Shinkansen: 45 min Toki etc. Non-reserved seat ¥ 5,380
  • Takasaki Sta.JR express: 1 hr Kusatsu Non-reserved seat +¥ 950
  • Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Sta.Taxi: 25 min about ¥ 6,500
  • Gozanoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal
    (4th floor) Expressway bus: 4 hrs 05 min Joshu Yumeguri-go ¥ 3,060 - ¥ 3,800
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminalWalk: 4 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Gozanoyu
Route from Tokyo (Shibuya)
  • Shibuya Sta.Walk: 5 min
  • SHIBUYA MARK CITY (5th floor) Expressway bus: 4 hrs 27 min Shibuya - Kusatsu Line ¥ 3,600
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminalWalk: 4 min 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Gozanoyu
Routes from Tokyo
  • Ueno
  • JR
  • Gunma Otsu
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 6 hrs 40 min ¥ 3,080

  • Ueno
  • JR
  • Naganohara Kusatsuguchi
  • Bus
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 12 min ¥ 3,790

  • Ueno
  • JR express
  • Naganohara Kusatsuguchi
  • Bus
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 52 min ¥ 5,550

  • Ueno
  • Shinkansen
  • Takasaki
  • JR express
  • Naganohara Kusatsuguchi
  • Taxi
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 10 min ¥ 12,830

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 11 min ¥ 3,060~¥ 3,800

  • Shibuya
  • Expressway bus
  • Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 36 min ¥ 3,600

  • The price of JR Express and normal Shinkansen is "Basic fare" plus "(Super) Express charge". (These are determined according to the distance.) "(Super) Express charge" has two types: Reserved seat and Non-reserved seat. Reserved seat charge adds ¥930 (during the busiest season), ¥730 (during the busy season), ¥530 (during the normal season) or ¥330 (during the off season) to Non-reserved seat charge. (For details, please refer to JR East_Ticketing and Busiest / Busy / Normal / Off season calendar.)
  • The above fares are based on cash. When using an IC card, the fares may differ slightly.
  • The above times and distances are approximate. Does not include transfering or waiting times.

How to get to Gozanoyu

(Directions from Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal)
  1. Head to Yubatake
  2. To the left of the tourist information center and Shirahatanoyu

bus stop: bus stop

Click the map to open Google Map

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san
Nishi-san
He is an orthodox hot springs lover and particular about quality of springs. He loves the hot springs flowing from the source, the hot water with a presence, and the rustic atmosphere.
Kita-san
Kita-san
He doesn't care much about quality of hot springs. He loves the open-air bath, and prefers hot springs that have visible features such as good views.

(→ Continuation from Sainokawara Rotenburo)
Nishi-san and Kita-san enjoyed Sainokawara Rotenburo in the morning. After lunch, they're trying to figure out which bath to take.

Kusatsu Onsen Shirahatanoyu exterior

Shirahatanoyu exterior

As far as I saw around Yubatake, isn't this bath good? Shirahatanoyu. It looks and feels nice.

Hmmm, well, the atmosphere is really nice. But, the temperature of the water here is...

Is it hot? Or lukewarm?

It's very hot. Precisely speaking, it has two bathtubs, the one is very hot and the other is extremely hot.

OK! Let's stop trying!

I think it's the building over there that the temperature is good for soaking in. Gozanoyu.

So, Nishi-san and Kita-san decided to take Gozanoyu.

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu exterior

Exterior

Wow! That's a really nice building. Still new, isn't it?

Exactly. I think it was probably built recently.

They entered immediately.

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu lobby

Lobby

Oh, that looks like they've used a lot of wood. It's bright and good, you know.

By the way, I forgot to say that, there is no open-air bath here.

Huh? Is that so?

They has headed to the bathing room immediately.

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu bathtub

Bathtub

The bathtub in Gozanoyu is divided into two.

...Is that all?

That's right. Simple is best.

Well, it's good that fairly large, but...

"Shirahatanoyu" is the largest public bath in Kusatsu Onsen. You can enjoy the cloudy Shirahata source spring water here. ...Only if you can get into the bathtub.

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu hot water spout

Hot water spout

The selling point here is that you can bathe in two types of hot springs. Look, Bandaiko source and Yubatake source.

Ah, I see.

In short, you can compare the difference in sources. It's a good deal, isn't it?

Are there any differences in the sources?

Bandaiko source is the hot water of the open-air bath we entered in the morning. It's strong acidic and I feel sharp. I think Yubatake source is mild, and the smell of sulfur is really nice.

Well, when you say that, it makes me feel like that...

After enjoying the two sources slowly, they've come to the break room.

The sources of Kusatsu Onsen include:
Bandaiko, Yubatake, Shirahata, Jizo, Nikawa and Sainokawara source etc.

Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu break room

Break room

Well, I'm tired.

Exactly, 'cause the water of Kusatsu is powerful, so you get tired. It's easy to have yuatari, too.

I see. Then, let's break here for a while. From here, the view of Yubatake is so nice!

Kusatsu has more good hot springs, like Jizonoyu.

But, it is a mistake to say, 'Kusatsu is a good place, come once'.

Eh? Why?

Just once is never enough!

Exactly. And to add to that, don't count your childhood visits.

Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake lit up at night

Lit up Yubatake at night

After breaking for a while, Nishi-san and Kita-san slowly enjoyed visiting the hot springs of Kusatsu. The early evening of winter made the lit up Yubatake more beautifully and vividly.

(January 2021)

"Yuatari" means feeling dizzy or sick by long soaking in hot springs.

Impression & rating

Although it is a facility for tourists, but relatively empty. A very nice public bathhouse where you can easily enjoy the hot water of Kusatsu.

4.0 pt

Impression & rating

It is a pity that there is no open-air bath. If you enjoy the hot water itself, you'll be satisfied, but it lacks a bit of entertainment factor.

1.5 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
421, Oaza-Kusatsu, Kusatsu Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture
Phone
domestic: 0279-88-9000
international: +81-279-88-9000
Website
Kusatsu Onsen Gozanoyu
Bathing time
[April - November] 7:00 - 21:00 (Last entry at 20:30) [December - March] 8:00 - 21:00 (Last entry at 20:30)
Regular holiday
Open year round
Charge
Adult: ¥ 700 / Elementary school students and younger: ¥ 350
Baths
Gender-separated indoor bath
Facilities
There are lockers in the luggage room (paid 100 yen). There are valuables lockers in the undressing room (free of charge)
Remarks
Tattoo bathing OK

The hot spring data
(According to hot spring analysis report etc.)

(Analysis date: May 15, 2013)
The volume of spring water is data from the Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Association website.

Bandaiko source

Spring quality
Acid - Chloride / Sulfate spring (Hypotonic Acid Hot spring)
Temperature
96.5 ℃ (205.7 ℉)
Volume
6,200 L / min (Non-powered spouting after drilling)
pH value
1.66
Total ingredients
3.32 g / kg

Yubatake source

Spring quality
Acid / Sulfur containing - Alminum - Sulfate / Chloride spring [Hydrogen sulfide type] (Hypotonic Acid Hot spring)
Temperature
51.3 ℃ (124.34 ℉)
Volume
4,040 L / min (Natural spring)
pH value
2.08
Total ingredients
1.69 g / kg

Today Beer

Kusatsu craft beer Kusatsu Onsen Monogatari

Kusatsu craft beer "Kusatsu Onsen Monogatari"

(From left: Märzen, Ale, Stout)

These are Kusatsu craft beers. Märzen has a mild taste and is easy to drink, Ale is fruity, and Stout is coffee-like but not too bitter. Each one is delicious.

(¥ 583 / 330 ml) ( Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery)

  • The descriptions on this page contain personal opinions and are not necessarily objective facts.
  • The information may have changed at present. In particular, the charge and price etc. has often not updated from the time of travel, so check the latest information on the official website.

Onsen List

Tohoku Region

Kanto Region

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