Kusatsu, Shima (Gunma) Travel Guides

Kusatsu and Shima are home to tourist attractions such as Kusatsu Onsen, Shima Onsen, and Manza Onsen; tourist events such as the Kusatsu Onsen Thanksgiving Festival, Ise-machi Gion Festival, and Kita-Karuizawa Kogen Festival; and local delicacies such as konnyaku, sauced pork cutlet bowl, and local sake.

Agatsuma-gun is located in the western part of Gunma Prefecture and consists of Kusatsu, Nakanojo, and Tsumagoi. Kusatsu Onsen has long been known as a famous hot spring, and was ranked the highest in the hot spring ranking in the Edo period (1603-1867), and remains one of the best hot spring resorts in Japan. The town of Kusatsu Onsen is a picturesque hot spring resort town, lined with resort hotels, pensions, and inns, and attracts tourists from all over Japan.

Kusatsu Onsen is an acidic spring that is effective for skin diseases, neuralgia, and diabetes. In order to lower the temperature of the hot water, the onsen is heated by stirring the water with a board while singing the Kusatsu-bushi (traditional Japanese folk song), and demonstrations are sometimes held for tourists.

Kusatsu International Ski Resort is located facing Mt. Kusatsu-Shiranesan, and is known to attract many skiers and snowboarders during the season. In summer, visitors can enjoy different leisure activities from winter, such as paragliding and putting golf.

Kusatsu offers not only hot springs but also many tourist facilities. In Nishi-no-Kawahara Park, the hot spring water flows as a river, and visitors can enjoy its flow from the walking path.

Another tourist attraction is the Bälz Memorial Museum, which honors the achievements of Dr. Bälz, a German doctor who devoted himself to teaching medicine in the Meiji era. Dr. Bälz is known for drawing attention to the excellent benefits of Kusatsu Onsen and introducing them to the world.

Kusatsu is lined with soba noodle shops, which have long been a favorite of tourists. The crispy maitake mushroom tempura soba is particularly famous and is a must-try menu item when visiting. Onsen manju (buns) and onsen tamago (hot spring eggs), which are unique to onsen resorts, are also popular. Please pour broth over the onsen tamago and enjoy its tender texture.

Along the Shima River in Nakanojo is Shima Onsen, which has been in existence since the 1500s and was selected as the first national recreational hot spring resort in 1954. In addition to the public baths and open-air baths, footbaths and drinking fountains are also popular spots. The spring water is sulfate water, and has the characteristic of being moist and comfortable on the skin.

Surrounding Shima Onsen are Maya Falls, Ogura Falls, and Okushiman Lake, where visitors can enjoy the great outdoors. Shima Onsen is also home to many fashionable cafes, which are used as rest spots between sightseeing tours.