Kusatsu is one of Japan’s premier onsen areas and is a bit of a resort town. In the center of town is a big open hot spring called Yubatake which pumps steaming water up from the ground. The central town square is formed around Yubatake and shops fan out from there.

The town itself is very quaint and is nice to walk around. Try one of the onsen manju (steamed buns) from one of the vendors along the roadside – they give them out for free in hope you will buy a whole stack as souvenirs. The drive up into Kusatsu in the northern mountains of Gunma is lovely. If you carry on through Kusatsu and into the mountains on the other side there are some very picturesque views of the changing leaves during Autumn. There is a ski-field right next to Kusatsu if you are so inclined.

To get there take the Kanto Expressway and leave at the Shibukawa IC to get onto Route 145. You will see the turn-off to Kusatsu signposted.