A Mountainous Landscape and Unique Natural Environment
Kusatsu Town extends approximately 9 kilometers from east to west and 8 kilometers from north to south. It is surrounded by Nakanojo Town, Tsumagoi Village, Naganohara Town, and the Shiga Highlands on the Nagano Prefecture side.
The area around Mount Kusatsu-Shirane is part of Joshin’etsukogen National Park. The region also lies along the watershed separating rivers that eventually flow toward the Pacific Ocean from those flowing toward the Sea of Japan.
Volcanic activity has played an important role in shaping Kusatsu’s landscape and creating its abundant hot spring resources. The connection between the area’s volcanic geology and its hot springs is one of the defining characteristics of the town.
The average elevation of the residential area is approximately 1,188.9 meters, making Kusatsu one of the highest-elevation towns in Japan. The town hall itself stands at approximately 1,181 meters above sea level and is known as the highest-elevation town hall in Japan.
This remarkable altitude gives Kusatsu the character of a true “hot spring resort in the sky.”
A Highland Climate and Four Distinct Seasons
Kusatsu has a cool highland climate. Under the Köppen climate classification, it is categorized as a humid continental climate (Dfb), and the area is also designated as a heavy snowfall region.
The annual average temperature is approximately 7.6°C. Summers are relatively cool, with fewer extremely hot days than in many lowland areas of Japan, making Kusatsu a popular summer retreat.
Winters are cold, and temperatures can fall below -15°C. Heavy snowfall creates excellent conditions for winter sports, allowing visitors to combine skiing and snowboarding with traditional hot spring bathing.
Each season has its own appeal: fresh green foliage in spring, refreshing highland breezes in summer, colorful autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter.
Kusatsu Onsen: One of Japan’s Three Famous Hot Springs
The name most closely associated with Kusatsu is Kusatsu Onsen. The hot spring resort is famous for its enormous volume of water, with approximately 4,000 liters of hot spring water flowing every minute.
The springs are also known for their strongly acidic water, which has traditionally been valued for its cleansing and antibacterial properties. The hot spring water is an essential part of the town’s identity and has shaped its culture and tourism for centuries.
Yubatake
Yubatake, or the “Hot Water Field,” is the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen and one of the town’s most recognizable sights.
Extremely hot water, reaching approximately 52°C, rises from the ground and flows through seven wooden channels. The water is naturally cooled as it passes through the channels before being distributed to inns and communal baths.
Mineral deposits left behind by the hot spring water form a substance known as yunohana, or hot spring mineral crystals. Yunohana is also sold as a popular local souvenir.
After dark, Yubatake is illuminated, creating an atmospheric scene surrounded by rising steam and the lights of the historic hot spring town.
Goza-no-Yu
Goza-no-Yu is a traditional communal bathhouse located directly in front of Yubatake.
The building recreates architectural styles associated with the Edo and Meiji periods. It contains two bathing areas, Kino-Yu and Ishi-no-Yu, which alternate between male and female use on different days.
Because different hot spring sources can be experienced here, Goza-no-Yu is also a good place to appreciate the variety of Kusatsu’s thermal waters.
Sainokawara Park and Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
Sainokawara Park is a distinctive volcanic landscape where hot spring water emerges from numerous places and steam rises from the ground.
The park’s large open-air bath covers approximately 500 square meters when the men’s and women’s areas are combined, making it one of the largest outdoor hot spring baths in Japan.
Bathing outdoors while surrounded by the natural landscape offers one of the quintessential Kusatsu experiences.
Jizo Onsen and Traditional Jizo Bath
Jizo Onsen is known for its soft, cloudy water. The spring is often appreciated for its gentle feel on the skin, and private bathing options are also available for visitors seeking a more relaxed experience.
Ohtaki-no-Yu, Shirahata-no-Yu, and Chiyo-no-Yu
Ohtaki-no-Yu, Shirahata-no-Yu, and Chiyo-no-Yu are communal bathhouses where visitors can experience different atmospheres and qualities of hot spring water.
Exploring several baths, known as yu-meguri, is one of the classic ways to enjoy Kusatsu Onsen.
Onsen Gate
Onsen Gate is a newer landmark that serves as one of the gateways to Kusatsu Onsen. A footbath is also available, making it an easy place to stop during a walk through town.
The gate is illuminated at night and makes a pleasant place to visit at either the beginning or end of a Kusatsu trip.
Face Bath, Footbath, and Hand-Washing Bath at Jizo-no-Yu
Near Jizo-no-Yu, visitors can enjoy several free ways to experience the hot spring water, including a face bath, footbath, and hand-washing bath.
These facilities are particularly convenient for travelers who want to feel the warmth of Kusatsu’s hot spring water without taking a full bath.
Traditional Culture: Yumomi and Onsen Rakugo
Yumomi Experience at Netsu-no-Yu
Yumomi is one of Kusatsu’s most distinctive traditional practices. Because the hot spring water is extremely hot, large wooden boards are used to stir the water and lower its temperature.
At Netsu-no-Yu, visitors can watch daily performances demonstrating this traditional technique, and visitors may also have opportunities to participate.
Onsen Rakugo
Onsen Rakugo is a rakugo performance held every evening in Kusatsu.
Rakugo is a traditional Japanese form of comic storytelling in which a performer, usually seated, uses words, gestures, and a small number of simple props to portray different characters.
Combining a traditional Japanese performance with the relaxing atmosphere of a hot spring resort makes Onsen Rakugo a distinctive way to enjoy Kusatsu after sunset.
Activities and Experiences Throughout the Year
Kusatsu offers different experiences in every season. Spring brings alpine plants and fresh greenery, summer provides a cool escape from the heat, autumn is celebrated for its colorful foliage, and winter transforms the town into a snowy mountain resort.
Visitors can combine hot spring bathing, winter sports, nature walks, cultural experiences, sightseeing, and local food depending on the season.
The hot spring town is also ideal for leisurely food walks and souvenir shopping. Local products include sweets made with flower beans and products incorporating yunohana, the mineral deposits associated with Kusatsu’s hot springs.
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort offers skiing and snowboarding during winter, while various outdoor activities are available during the warmer months.
Attractions such as the Pulse Gondola Tengu and Kusatsu Onsen SKY-SWING provide opportunities to enjoy panoramic mountain views along with a sense of adventure.
Mount Kusatsu-Shirane
Mount Kusatsu-Shirane is an active volcano famous for its striking emerald-green crater lake known as Yugama.
The mountain area offers impressive volcanic landscapes and provides an opportunity to appreciate the powerful natural forces that created Kusatsu’s hot springs.
Jofu Falls
Jofu Falls is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by natural scenery. It is a destination for visitors interested in walking and exploring the area’s mountain environment.
Shiga-Kusatsu Road
The Shiga-Kusatsu Road is a spectacular mountain drive reaching elevations of approximately 2,000 meters.
The scenery changes dramatically with the seasons, making the road a popular route for enjoying panoramic mountain landscapes.
Kusatsu Tropical Wonderland
Kusatsu Tropical Wonderland is a zoo and animal facility featuring tropical animals inside a large heated dome.
Visitors can see animals such as crocodiles and capybaras at close range. The contrast between the cold mountain climate outside and the tropical atmosphere inside makes this a particularly unusual Kusatsu attraction.
Kusatsu Highland Golf Course
Kusatsu Highland Golf Course offers golf in the cool, refreshing air of the highlands.
The elevated setting makes it possible to enjoy outdoor sports even during the warmer months, when temperatures can be considerably more comfortable than in Japan’s lowland cities.
Tengu Banzip TENGU
Tengu Banzip TENGU is a zipline attraction located within Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort.
Riders glide through the highland air while enjoying views of the surrounding landscape. The attraction is particularly popular with families and younger visitors.
Rest House “Crystal Ten”
Crystal Ten is a scenic rest house in the ski resort area where visitors can enjoy meals and refreshments while looking out over the surrounding mountains.
On clear days, distant mountain ranges can be seen from the building.
Café “Tsuki no Kao”
Tsuki no Kao is a relaxed café that makes a convenient stop during a walk through the hot spring town.
It provides a peaceful setting where visitors can take a break and enjoy conversation after exploring Kusatsu’s streets.
Roadside Station Kusatsu Undo Chaya Park
Roadside Station Kusatsu Undo Chaya Park stands near the gateway to Kusatsu Onsen and offers local specialties and souvenirs.
The site also includes the Beltz Memorial Museum, where visitors can learn about the work of the physician who played an important role in the development of modern Kusatsu as a health and resort destination.
Kataoka Tsurutaro Museum
The Kataoka Tsurutaro Museum displays works by artist Tsurutaro Kataoka, including paintings, calligraphy, and ceramics.
The museum offers a cultural experience that can easily be combined with a stroll through the hot spring town.
Gallery “Manga-do”
Manga-do is a distinctive gallery featuring manga and illustrations.
With approachable works that can be enjoyed by visitors of different ages, it provides a casual cultural stop during a Kusatsu sightseeing trip.
Hyakunenishi Villa
Hyakunenishi Villa offers visitors the opportunity to experience the traditional Kusatsu craft known as Hyakunenishi.
The craft uses mineral-rich hot spring water to create patterns and designs on stone. Making an original piece provides a memorable hands-on experience unique to Kusatsu.
A Town of History and Religious Traditions
The origin of the name Kusatsu is traditionally associated with the strong sulfurous smell of the hot spring water. Historical forms of the name included expressions such as “Kusamizu” and “Kusouzu”, while the name “Kusatsu” was already written in its present form during the Muromachi period.
Kusatsu developed as a toji destination, where people stayed at hot springs for rest and recuperation, particularly from the Warring States period onward.
During the Meiji period, the German physician Erwin von Baelz and others helped establish Kusatsu’s reputation as a health and therapeutic resort.
Shirane Shrine
Shirane Shrine has long been worshiped as a guardian shrine of Kusatsu Onsen. The shrine is traditionally associated with the worship of Yamato Takeru, a legendary figure in Japanese mythology.
The shrine’s annual Shirane Shrine Festival takes place in July. After climbing the stone steps, visitors reach a quiet shrine precinct that offers a striking contrast to the lively atmosphere of the hot spring town.
Kosenji Temple
Kosenji Temple stands on elevated ground overlooking Yubatake and has become one of the symbolic landmarks of Kusatsu.
Visitors climb a long flight of stone steps to reach the main hall. From the temple grounds, it is possible to look across the Kusatsu Onsen townscape.
After dark, the temple is illuminated, creating a peaceful and atmospheric scene above the glowing hot spring district.
Kusatsu Anamori Inari Shrine
Kusatsu Anamori Inari Shrine is known for its rows of bright red torii gates.
The shrine is associated with wishes for business prosperity and good fortune and has also become a popular spot for photography.
Festivals and Events Throughout the Year
Kusatsu hosts a variety of festivals and cultural events throughout the year. Major events include the Flower Festival in May, the Shirane Shrine Festival in July, the Hot Spring Thanksgiving Festival in August, and the Kusatsu International Summer Music Academy & Festival.
These events add energy to the town and bring together traditional ceremonies, music, sports, and local culture.
A Special Experience in Kusatsu
Kusatsu Town brings together one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts, spectacular highland scenery, and centuries of history and culture.
From steam rising around Yubatake to snowy mountain landscapes, from traditional yumomi performances to outdoor adventures, Kusatsu offers a wide range of experiences that change with the seasons.
Visitors can walk through the atmospheric hot spring town, relax in its famous thermal waters, explore the surrounding mountains, and discover local traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Whether you visit for the hot springs, mountain scenery, traditional culture, outdoor activities, or simply the peaceful atmosphere of a highland resort, Kusatsu offers an opportunity to experience a distinctive side of Japan.