Local Guide
 6 recommended day trip hot springs in Karuizawa and Kusatsu

Karuizawa Hoshino Area "Dragonfly Hot Spring

Karuizawa, famous as a summer resort, still captures people's hearts with its lush nature. This highland resort with easy Direction from the Tokyo metropolitan area offers many modern sightseeing spots and is further blessed with hot springs.
In addition to the hot springs in the Karuizawa area, we will also introduce a day trip to Kusatsu Onsen, one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, which is full of emotion and offers a variety of hot springs to stop by.

Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu, with its refined atmosphere and exterior designed in the image of an inn, has a long history dating back to the Taisho Era (1912-1926). The hot water, loved by cultural figures such as Akiko Yosano, is called "hot water for beautiful skin" and is smooth and soft. It is smooth and soft, and remains moist even after bathing.

The hot spring water is known for its smoothness and softness, and the hot spring water is also known for its moistness even after bathing. The hot spring water is free-flowing and drinkable. It is also used as a finishing bath after a tour of the hot springs in Kusatsu.

The indoor hot spring is bright and open with large windows, and the outdoor hot spring is surrounded by nature. Both are comfortable spaces where you can stretch out your arms and legs and relax. The indoor baths are made of Japanese cypress and are deep enough to soak up to the shoulders. The outdoor hot spring with granite seems to be one with nature.

The seasonal baths, with their elaborate designs and seasonal scenery, are also a pleasure to enjoy. In autumn, there is an apple bath, and in winter, a yuzu bath.

The sauna is also popular, where visitors can soak in the soothing indirect lighting and the faint sound of jazz music. The water bath with water drawn from the Wild Bird Forest, which is around 13 degrees Celsius year-round, and the outdoor air bath where one can feel the highland breeze are also popular among sauna lovers.

Local Guide Comment
At "Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu," you can drink the hot spring water. You can drink hot spring water only if the source is free-flowing hot spring water. There is a drinking fountain and paper cups are available for you to try.
Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu
  • Address Hoshino, Karuizawa MAP
  •  Direction 17 minutes drive from Karuizawa Station.
  •  Business hours 10:00-21:15 last admission 22:00 closing
  •  Closed No
  •  Admission Fee Adults 1,350 yen / Children (3 years old to elementary school student) 800 yen
    Special fee during Golden Week, summer, and year-end and New Year's holidays (Dec. 29-Jan. 3): Adults 1,550 yen / Children 1,050 yen
  •  TEL 0267-44-3580
  •  Parking Charged

Surrounded by trees, the open-air garden outdoor hot spring offers a view of Karuizawa during each of the four seasons. The rustling of trees, chirping of birds, vivid autumn leaves, and pure white snow make you feel at home as if you are embraced by nature.

The other outdoor hot spring is covered, so you can bathe comfortably even on rainy or snowy days. Both outdoor hot springs are free-flowing and feature soft water.

The bathtubs in the indoor baths are shallow, allowing even small children to bathe safely, making this a family-friendly hot spring Property. The sauna, which is authentically built to resemble an authentic Finnish cottage, is a low-temperature sauna that uses far-infrared rays to slowly warm the body from the inside out.

Local Guide Comment
The water is not too hot, so you can enjoy a relaxing bath. The showers are partitioned shower booths, so you can use them without worrying about your surroundings.
Karuizawa Chigataki Hot Spring
  • Address Chigataki hot spring, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
  •  Direction 15 min. by car from JR Karuizawa Sta.
  •  Business hours 12:00-21:30 (Sat., holidays, and special days: 10:30-22:00) *Last admission 45 minutes before closing
  •  Closed No *Maintenance closed days
  •  Admission Fee Adults 1,200 yen, children 700 yen (Sat., holidays, adults 1,300 yen, children 750 yen, special days, adults 1,550 yen, children 1,140 yen)
  •  TEL 0267-46-1111
  •  Parking Available (free of charge)

Hishino Hot Spring Tokiwa-kan's outdoor hot spring with a view, "Kumonosuke," was renovated in 2024 as " Cloud Stop. The outdoor hot spring is located 1,050 meters above sea level and is reached by a special mountain climbing train from the main building. The train leaving from the station at the foot of the mountain next to the lobby is a full-fledged train with two intersecting units on the way. The train is operated by simply pushing a button, so even children can be trusted to operate it. A driver's costume is also available for children, making this a memorable experience for those who love trains.

From the Outdoor hot spring, you will be dazzled by the panoramic view of Tateshina, Yatsugatake, Okuchichibu, and Saku-daira. On fine days, the top of Mt. Outdoor hot spring on top of the mountain changes its appearance from season to season, showing us the changes from moment to moment even during a day.

Local Guide Comment
Even adults will be thrilled to take the outdoor hot spring on the mountain railway. The baths can be used mutually with the sister building, Yakushikan.
Cloud Stop (Hishino Onsen, Tokiwankan Outdoor hot spring with a view)
  • Address 762-2 Hishidaira, Komoro, Nagano MAP
  •  Direction 15 min. drive from JR Komoro Stn.
  •  Business hours 11:00 - 14:30 (closed at 16:00 on weekdays except August)
  •  Closed Tuesdays
  •  Admission Fee Adults 1,800 yen Children 900 yen (Adults 1,500 yen Children 750 yen on weekdays except August)
  •  TEL 0267-22-0516
  •  Parking Available (free of charge)

Kusatsu is famous as one of the most popular hot springs in Japan. Kusatsu is popular both in Japan and abroad for its unique hot spring traditions, such as the "yumomi" (hot-spring rice steamed in a hot spring bath), but it also offers a wide range of Daytrip Destinations.
Among them, the Nishi-no-Kawahara Outdoor hot spring is the largest outdoor hot spring in Kusatsu. This open-air outdoor hot spring-only Property is approximately 500 m2 in size when the men's and women's baths are combined.

The "Bandai fountainhead" has a high gush temperature (approx. 95°C), and one can feel the energy of the earth's depths. The outdoor hot spring is surrounded by a forest, and the wind blowing across the surface of the hot spring water is pleasant in every season: fresh green in spring, deep green in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow in winter.

The time of day depends on the season, but if you want to take your time, the best time is before noon.

Local Guide Comment
The hot spring has a strong acidity unique to Kusatsu. At night, you can enjoy bathing while gazing at a star-filled sky.
Kusatsu one day hot spring "Nishi-no-Kawahara Outdoor hot spring
  • Address 521-3 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-cho MAP
  •   Direction 25 min. by bus from JR Naganoharakusatsuguchi Stn. to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
    15 min. walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
  •  Business hours 7:00 - 20:00 (last admission by 19:30) *Open at 9:00 from 12/1 to 3/31
  •  Closed No (the museum is closed for maintenance)
  •  Admission Fee Adults 800 yen Children 400 yen
  •  TEL 0279-88-6167
  •  Parking Available (free of charge)

We recommend this hot spring for those who want to enjoy a variety of hot springs.
In addition to Outdoor hot spring, Public hot spring, and sauna, there is a "combined hot spring" that is unique to Kusatsu. Matching baths" are a type of bath where water is not added to the spring water, and the spring water is passed through several bathtubs in sequence so that it cools naturally. There are five bathtubs for men and four bathtubs for women with different temperatures, and visitors can enjoy a unique bathing experience by starting with a lukewarm bath and gradually adjusting their bodies to the heat.

The hot water is from the "Nigawa souce of spring," which is highly praised as "hot water for beauty," and is characterized by its high temperature and soft touch to the skin.
The Public hot spring has a high ceiling and is spacious, and there is also a hitting spa that gently relaxes your shoulders and back.

When you go out to the Outdoor hot spring, you will see the hot waterfall, which is also the name of the Property. Another attraction is that every second and fourth Saturday, the water turns cloudy with hot spring water.

Local Guide Comment
It is very warming and lightens your body. Yuagari lounge and rest room are also available, so you can relax and unwind after bathing.
Otaki no Yu
  • Address 596-13 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-cho MAP
  •   Direction 25 min. by bus from JR Naganoharakusatsuguchi Station to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
    12 min. walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
  •  Business hours 9:00 - 21:00 (last admission by 20:00)
  •  Closed No (the museum is closed for maintenance)
  •  Admission Fee Adults 1,100 yen, children 550 yen (3 years old and up to elementary school students)
  •  TEL 0279-88-2600
  •  Parking Available (free of charge)

At Yubatake, visitors can see up close how the hot spring water gushes out from the source and flows down through seven gutters to the hot waterfall, while making a cloud of steam. It is the symbol of Kusatsu Hot Springs, which has numerous hot springs with abundant hot water. The surrounding area is maintained as a park, with a Showa-era retro-themed yuji plaza, making it a fun spot for a stroll.
Shirahata-no-yu is located right in front of Yubatake, and is the largest Property among the public bathhouses. It is the largest of the public bathhouses and uses the Shirahata hot spring that gushes out next to Yubata, so the temperature is high, but it is a popular hot spring that is sure to please even the most discerning hot spring lover.

The wooden bathtubs are tasteful, and it is fun to soak together with the locals in a bathtub that fills up with several people.

Local Guide Comment
The baths are hot, but once you get used to the heat, you will want to bathe again. The feeling of refreshment after taking a bath is the best!
Public bathhouse Shirahata-no-yu
  • Address Kusatsu, Kusatsu-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma MAP
  •   Direction 25 min. by bus from JR Naganoharakusatsuguchi Station to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
    5 min. walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
  •  Business hours 8:00 - 23:00
  •  Closed No (temporary closure due to maintenance, etc.)
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0279-88-0800(Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association)
  •  Parking None
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.