What to do

• Walk around the Yubatake hot water field at the center of town and watch the mineral-rich water flow.
• Watch a yumomi water-cooling performance, where staff stir the hot water with wooden paddles.
• Soak in public baths such as Otakinoyu or Gozanoyu, or try the outdoor Sainokawara Rotenburo.
• Combine the visit with skiing at the nearby Kusatsu Kokusai Ski Resort in winter or hiking in the surrounding hills in warmer months.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: walking around the Yubatake area is free. Public bathhouses such as Otakinoyu and Gozanoyu, and the Sainokawara Open-Air Bath, each charge their own entry fee, generally a few hundred yen. Confirm current prices and hours locally since they can change seasonally.

Getting there

From Tokyo, take a JR limited express or shinkansen connection toward Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, then a JR bus about 25 minutes to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal (roughly 2.5 to 3 hours total). Direct highway buses also run from Shinjuku Bus Terminal, taking about 3 hours 45 minutes.

Nearby

Kusatsu pairs well with Ikaho Onsen, another historic Gunma hot spring town, or with the mountain scenery of Mount Tanigawa.

What to do

• Climb the 365 stone steps slowly, stopping at the small shops, cafes, and rest areas along the route.
• Use the free footbath at step 212, then continue to Ikaho Shrine at the top of the steps.
• From the shrine, take the relatively flat five-minute walk to the vermilion Kajika Bridge; continue toward the open-air bath only if that extra walk suits your plan.
• Choose a bath deliberately: Ishidan no Yu sits on the steps and uses Kogane no Yu, while ryokan day-use rules and prices vary by property.

Tickets and fees

Checked in August 2026: the stone steps and footbath are free. City-run Ishidan no Yu is open 10:00–20:00, with final entry at 19:30. Standard adult admission is 800 yen (500 yen for Shibukawa residents); children, eligible seniors, and visitors with disabilities have separate rates. It normally closes on the second and fourth Tuesday, shifting to the next weekday after a public holiday; maintenance and seasonal exceptions can apply, so check the city page before visiting.

Getting there

For the clearest rail-to-bus arrival, travel to Shibukawa Station and take a Kan-etsu Transportation bus bound for Ikaho Onsen from Stop No. 3 outside the station. The ride takes about 25 minutes; pay as you leave with cash or a transportation IC card. Get off at Ishidangaiguchi, directly in front of the bottom of the stone steps, where lockers and visitor information are available. Direct highway-bus options from Tokyo also exist; confirm the current operator timetable before booking.

Nearby

Ikaho pairs naturally with Kusatsu Onsen for a two-hot-spring Gunma trip, or with the UNESCO-listed Tomioka Silk Mill for a history-focused day.

What to do

• Ride the Tanigawadake Ropeway from Doaiguchi Station up to Tenjindaira Station for panoramic mountain views.
• Walk the short path around the Tenjintoge Observation Deck if you are not planning a full hike.
• Hike the roughly 6.4 km round-trip ridge route from Tenjindaira for experienced hikers, allowing 5 to 6 hours.
• Submit a climbing plan at the box near the ropeway ticket booths if heading beyond the observation deck.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: the ropeway is a paid ride, with round-trip adult fares commonly cited around yen 2,000 to 2,100 depending on the source and any lift add-ons. Confirm the current fare and operating hours on the official Tanigawadake Ropeway site before visiting, especially in winter.

Getting there

From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Jomo-Kogen Station (under 2 hours), then a bus to the Tanigawadake Ropeway base station. Alternatively, a local bus runs between Minakami Station and the ropeway base about once an hour.

Nearby

Pair the mountain with a soak at Kusatsu Onsen or Ikaho Onsen to rest after a day on the ridge.

What to do

• See the Silk-reeling Plant and the East and West Cocoon Warehouses, built in a Japanese-Western brick style starting in 1872.
• Learn about Japan's role in the global silk industry through the on-site exhibits.
• Walk through the retro streets near the mill in Tomioka City.
• Look into the discounted round-trip train plus admission ticket from Tokyo if traveling via the Joetsu Shinkansen.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: adult admission is commonly listed around yen 1,000, with reduced rates for students and children. Some sources note the mill is closed on Wednesdays. Confirm the current price, hours, and closure day on the official site before visiting.

Getting there

From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki (about 50 minutes), then change to the Joshin Dentetsu line to Joshu-Tomioka Station (about 40 minutes) and walk roughly 15 minutes to the mill.

Nearby

Combine the visit with Ikaho Onsen for a relaxing finish to the day, or with Kusatsu Onsen if building a longer Gunma itinerary.