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.
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
Area / Railway
Kanto Region
Gunma Pref.
JR Agatsuma Line
Click on a station/bus stop to see detailed information.
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 (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
6 hrs 40 min ¥ 3,080
- Ueno
- JR
- Naganohara Kusatsuguchi
- Bus
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
- Walk
4 hrs 12 min ¥ 3,790
- Ueno
- JR express
- Naganohara Kusatsuguchi
- Bus
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
- Walk
2 hrs 52 min ¥ 5,550
- Ueno
- Shinkansen
- Takasaki
- JR express
- Naganohara Kusatsuguchi
- Taxi
2 hrs 10 min ¥ 12,830
- Shinjuku
- Expressway bus
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
- Walk
4 hrs 11 min ¥ 3,060～¥ 3,800
- Shibuya
- Expressway bus
- Kusatsu Onsen Bus terminal
- Walk
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)
- Head to Yubatake
- To the left of the tourist information center and Shirahatanoyu
: bus stop
Click the map to open Google Map
Informations about Hot spring travel
- JR East (Japan Railway)Web Site
- JAPAN RAIL PASS info(JR GROUP)
- Route Search (Japan Transit Planner)
- Japan Route Finder & Calculater (NAVITIME)
- Train Timetable Search(EKITAN)
- JR Bus Kantoroute bustimetable etc.
- Expressway busJoshu / TokyoYumeguri-go
- Expressway busShibuya - Kusatsu Line (Tokyu Bus)
- Expressway bus Search (Bus Hikaku-Navi)
- Taxi Tel numberKusatsu Town(Mapion)
- Rent-a-carReservation(TABIRAI)
- Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association
- Hotel / Ryokan Kusatsu Onsen(Rakuten Travel)
- Hotel / Ryokan Gunma Pref.(Jalan)
- Hotel / Ryokan Kusatsu Onsen(Yuko Yuko)
- Weather forecast Kusatsu Townoverview
- Weather forecast Kusatsu Townhourly
Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring
Characters
- 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
- 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.
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.
Exterior
Wow! That's a really nice building. Still new, isn't it?
Exactly. I think it was probably built recently.
They entered immediately.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 hours
- [April - November] 7:00 - 21:00 (Last entry at 20:30) [December - March] 8:00 - 21:00 (Last entry at 20:30)
- Business days
- Open year round
- Charge
- Adults: ¥ 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 ℉)
- Water 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 ℉)
- Water 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"
(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.