How to Get to Kusatsu Onsen from Tokyo in 2026
Mar 29, 2026
Kusatsu Onsen sits high in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, about 200 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. It's Japan's top-ranked hot spring town, known for its high-volume, mineral-rich waters and the iconic Yubatake steaming in the town center.
The catch? There's no train station in Kusatsu itself, which means every visitor arrives by bus for the final stretch. This guide covers both the train-and-bus route via Ueno Station and the direct highway bus option, along with costs, schedules, and what to do once you arrive.
Getting to Kusatsu Onsen from Tokyo takes between 2.5 and 4 hours, depending on which route you choose. The quickest option is the Limited Express Kusatsu Shima train from Ueno Station to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station, then a short bus ride to the town center. If you prefer something more direct, highway buses run straight from Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Here's the key thing to know: Kusatsu Onsen has no train station. Every visitor finishes the journey by bus, regardless of how you start.
Train + bus route: Takes about 3 hours total, with one transfer at Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station
Highway bus: Takes about 4 hours, but runs direct with no transfers
So which one makes sense for you? If you're holding a JR Pass, the train route offers better value since the pass covers most of the journey. If you're traveling on a budget or staying near Shinjuku, the highway bus is simpler and often cheaper.
The train route is the go-to choice for most travelers, particularly those with a JR Pass. The journey has three parts: a limited express train, a quick transfer, and a local bus.
Start at JR Ueno Station and look for the Limited Express Kusatsu Shima. A limited express is a faster train that skips smaller stations along the way, cutting down travel time compared to local trains. The ride to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
This train has reserved seating, so booking your seat ahead of time is a good idea, especially on weekends when the train fills up. Once you're on board, the scenery shifts from urban Tokyo to the green mountains of Gunma Prefecture.
Naganohara Kusatsuguchi is a small rural station on the JR Agatsuma Line. When you step off the train, you'll find the bus stop right outside the station exit. The transfer is simple and well-signed.
This station exists primarily as a gateway to Kusatsu, so you won't find much else here. Just head to the bus stop and wait for the next departure.
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The final stretch is a 25-minute bus ride through the mountains to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. You can pay with an IC card like Suica or Pasmo, or with cash when you board.
The bus terminal sits right in the center of town. From there, the famous Yubatake hot spring field is about a 2-minute walk.
The Limited Express Kusatsu Shima runs only a handful of times each day, so checking the timetable before you go is important. Missing a train could mean waiting several hours for the next one.
First train: Departs Ueno early morning
Last return train: Leaves Naganohara Kusatsuguchi in the late afternoon
Frequency: A few departures per day, not hourly
If you're planning a day trip, take the earliest train to give yourself the most time in Kusatsu.
The JR Pass covers the train portion of the journey but not the bus. Specifically, you can ride the Limited Express Kusatsu Shima from Ueno to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi at no extra cost with your pass. However, the JR Kanto Bus from the station to Kusatsu Onsen is a separate fare of around ¥710.
For JR Pass holders already using the pass for other legs of a Japan trip, the train route to Kusatsu adds good value. You're essentially paying only for the short bus ride.
If you don't have a JR Pass or simply want a no-transfer ride, the highway bus is a solid alternative. Buses depart from several major stations in Tokyo and go directly to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Shinjuku Busta is Tokyo's largest highway bus hub, located right next to JR Shinjuku Station. Direct buses to Kusatsu leave from here and take about 4 hours. On weekends and holidays, buses fill up quickly, so booking ahead is wise.
If you're staying near Tokyo Station, you can catch a bus from the JR Expressway Bus boarding dock at the Yaesu South Exit. The journey time is similar to Shinjuku.
Direct buses also run from Shibuya Mark City and Ikebukuro Station. Having multiple departure points means you can choose whichever station is closest to your hotel.
You can reserve seats through the JR Kanto Bus website or buy tickets in person at bus terminal counters. During busy periods like Golden Week, autumn foliage season, and winter ski season, buses sell out days in advance.
Online booking: JR Kanto Bus official website
In-person booking: Ticket counters at Shinjuku Busta, Tokyo Station, and other terminals
Peak seasons to watch: Golden Week (late April to early May), autumn leaves (October to November), ski season (December to March)
The train is faster but involves a transfer. The bus takes longer but drops you directly in Kusatsu with no switching required. Traffic can add time to the bus journey, particularly on weekends and holidays.
You can visit Kusatsu as a day trip from Tokyo, though staying overnight lets you experience the town after dark when the Yubatake is lit up and the crowds thin out.
A day trip works if you leave Tokyo early and keep your itinerary focused.
Morning: Catch the first Limited Express from Ueno, arrive in Kusatsu by late morning
Midday: Walk around Yubatake, try the free footbaths, grab lunch
Afternoon: Soak at Sainokawara Open Air Bath or one of the public bathhouses
Evening: Take the last bus and train back to Tokyo
This schedule is tight but doable. You'll have about 5 to 6 hours in town.
Kusatsu's ryokan are traditional Japanese inns with tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, and on-site hot spring baths. Many offer kaiseki, a multi-course Japanese dinner served in your room or a private dining area.
Staying overnight means you can soak in the onsen at night and again in the early morning, when the baths are quietest. The Yubatake light-up after sunset is also something you'd miss on a day trip.
A few practical details can make your visit smoother.
Luggage: Kusatsu's streets are steep and paved with cobblestones. Rolling a large suitcase is difficult. Consider using takkyubin, Japan's luggage forwarding service, to send bags ahead to your next hotel.
IC cards: Suica and Pasmo work on local buses and at some shops and vending machines.
Cash: Smaller onsen and traditional shops often accept cash only. Bring yen with you.
Crowds: With Kusatsu drawing over 4 million visitors in the last year, weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. If you have flexibility, a midweek visit is more relaxed.
Weather: Kusatsu sits at about 1,200 meters elevation. Temperatures run 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than Tokyo year-round.
Kusatsu is a compact town, and most attractions are within walking distance of the bus terminal.
The Yubatake is Kusatsu's centerpiece, a large steaming hot spring field producing up to 4,000 liters per minute in the middle of town. Wooden channels called yumomi-ita cool the water naturally before it flows to local inns and bathhouses. At night, the field is illuminated, creating a completely different atmosphere than during the day.
Yumomi is the traditional method of cooling hot spring water by stirring it with large wooden paddles. At Netsu no Yu, you can watch a live performance and even try it yourself. Performances run several times daily.
Sainokawara is one of Japan's largest outdoor public baths, set in a rocky riverside park about a 15-minute walk from Yubatake. The park itself is open to everyone, while the bathing areas are separated by gender. Admission is a few hundred yen.
Free footbaths, called ashi-yu, are scattered throughout Kusatsu. You can dip your feet in the hot spring water without undressing or paying an entrance fee. Look for them near Yubatake and along the main streets.
Kusatsu has been one of Japan's most celebrated onsen towns for centuries. The water is known for its high mineral content and slightly acidic properties, and the town itself has preserved a traditional atmosphere that feels distinct from Tokyo's urban energy.
The journey through Gunma Prefecture is part of the appeal. Whether you take the train or bus, you'll pass through mountain scenery that offers a glimpse of rural Japan.
If you're planning a trip from Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen, Trip To Japan can help you book transportation, ryokan, and tours in one place. Explore Gunma itineraries or book a free 30-minute consultation to start planning.
