Located in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture about 3 hours north of Tokyo, Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉 is a popular resort town. Its fame was established in the late 1800s when an advisor to the imperial court, Dr. Erwin von Baelz from Germany, extolled the health benefits of the water found there. It is extremely acidic with a pH ranging from 1.7 to 2.1, so kills harmful bacteria on the skin, attributed to helping to control chronic skin disease and giving bathers beautiful skin. It is also said to help ease muscle pain and chronic fatigue.
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma, Japan (photo: Lynt/flickr)
Since the town is set 1200 meters (about 3937 feet) high next to the active volcano, Mt. Shirane, winters are cold and snowy, making a vacation with a soak in the bath of one of the many ryokan a lovely overnight getaway.
Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture (photo: Duke Yuin/flickr)
The plentiful, mineral-rich water is the main attraction of the town, and at its center is a unique structure called yubatake, which translates as “hot water field.” The yubatake produces about 5,000 liters per minute (about 1320 gallons per minute) of sulfur-smelling water about 70 degrees Celsius (about 158 degrees Fahrenheit). It is cooled in a system of wooden channels before being delivered to the baths around the area. There is also a free foot bath for visitors to enjoy at the yubatake.
Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture (photo: wilsurn/flickr)
Aside from the many baths, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter. Fall colors are especially lovely in the area. There are several options to get to Kusatsu Onsen, but the most direct from Tokyo is to take the JR limited express train from Ueno Station to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station. If you have a JR Pass you can use it for the trip. There are only a few per day, but it only takes about 2 and a half hours, rather than the 4-hour run of the local trains which run more frequently. From Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station, there is a JR bus which runs to the city and takes about 30 minutes.
For more information: http://www.kusatsu-kokusai.com/eng/index.html or else: http://kusatsuonsen-international.jp/en/#about
