REPORT

After relaxing at the footbath, I wandered along Sai-no-kawara Street and Yutaki Street, both of which are lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. Hot spring water flowing down from the river in Sai-no-kawara Park runs through roadside channels around town, creating the pleasant sensation that the entire neighborhood is enveloped in the warmth of the springs. Be aware, however, that away from Yubatake, many souvenir shops close by 6 p.m.
[Kusatsu Onsen・Hot Spring District]

Another of Kusatsu Onsen’s attractions is its wealth of high-quality accommodations supplied by natural hot spring sources. These range from long-established properties such as Hotel Ichii and Kusatsu Onsen Boun, both dating back to the Edo period, as well as Naraya (pictured), founded in 1877, to the expansive Hotel Sakurai and newer arrivals including Yubatake Sensui and Hoshino Resorts KAI Kusatsu. On Sai-no-kawara Street, Naraya’s stately exterior drew the attention of almost everyone passing by.
[Kusatsu Onsen・Hot Spring District]

Before setting out for an evening stroll, I went to see the Yumomi and Dance Show at 4 p.m. (pictured; JPY700 for adults and JPY350 for elementary school children, with six performances daily). Performers demonstrated the traditional practice of stirring and cooling the hot spring water to the rhythm of the Kusatsu-bushi and Kusatsu Yumomi Uta songs, later sending great splashes of water into the air with a more vigorous display. Visitors can also try yumomi themselves on Sundays and Mondays.
[Kusatsu Onsen・Netsu-no-yu]

The lively atmosphere around Yubatake showed no sign of fading even at around 9 p.m. Many visitors were dressed in yukata, helped in part by the ongoing “Yukata Is the Dress Code in Kusatsu Onsen!” promotion. Beginning tomorrow, 7/14 (Tue.), and running through the end of August, the Kusatsu Onsen Edo Wind Chimes event will be held, followed by the Kusatsu Onsen Appreciation Festival on 8/1 (Sat.) and 8/2 (Sun.).
[Kusatsu Onsen・Yubatake]

　
＊Next time, I’ll be reporting from Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort!

[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