REPORT

After being won over by the relaxed hot-spring-town atmosphere at Nozawa Onsen’s Takenoko Festival, I decided to visit Kusatsu Onsen, home to the largest natural hot spring output in Japan. From the Tsumagoi Panorama Line, I passed Kusatsu Undo Chaya Park Roadside Station and continued for another minute or two, and when the free Kusatsu Onsen Gate Footbath (pictured) appeared on the right, I turned into the Kusatsu Onsen Gate Parking Lot on the opposite side of the road. (※Parking is free; take care as traffic flows one way.) I left the car in this modern parking area, completed in 2023, and set off on foot for Yubatake.
[Kusatsu Onsen・Kusatsu Onsen Gate Footbath]

There are numerous paid parking options, including the Yubatake Tourist Parking Lot, but the Kusatsu Onsen Gate Parking Lot is the best choice for free parking. After passing Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal and walking for around ten minutes, I reached Yuro Plaza (pictured), with Yubatake—the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen—directly ahead. On the left is Shirahata-no-Yu, the town’s largest public bath, which is free to enter.
[Kusatsu Onsen・Yuro Plaza]

Crowds gathered around Yubatake as the illuminated steam and water shifted through a succession of colors. What struck me most was how overwhelmingly Japanese the visitors were, rather than international tourists. The nostalgic streetscape, distinctive sulfur scent, clouds of rising steam, and sound of abundant hot spring water rushing past were instantly soothing.
[Kusatsu Onsen・Yubatake]

I met two visitors from Kyoto Prefecture (pictured) who told me, “We’ve wanted to come to Kusatsu Onsen for years, and we finally made it for a two-day, one-night trip. We’re also really looking forward to staying at our ryokan tonight.” Later on, I soaked my feet at the Yukemuri-tei footbath and struck up a casual conversation with the person beside me. (Continued in Pt 2!)
[Kusatsu Onsen・Yubatake]

　
[Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort Opening Information]
*Period … 2026/4/29 (Wed.) – 11/8 (Sun.)
*Hours … Pulse Gondola Tengu: 9:00 – 16:00
*Fees … Pulse Gondola Tengu: Adult JPY800 one-way, JPY1,500 round-trip; Elementary school students JPY600 one-way, JPY1,000 round-trip

*Request for the original data of our photographs

reported by Snownavi