Kusatsu Onsen, located in Kusatsu Town, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, has attracted visitors for centuries as one of Japan’s most celebrated hot spring destinations. In 2023, a new landmark was created at the entrance to the hot spring town: Onsen Gate Plaza & Foot Bath.
The facility was developed as part of improvements to reduce traffic congestion along National Route 292. Rather than functioning simply as a piece of transportation infrastructure, the new grade-separated structure was designed to become a welcoming symbol of Kusatsu and was given the name “Onsen Gate”.
The concrete structure has been finished with decorative wooden elements, giving it a warm appearance that reflects the atmosphere of a traditional hot spring town. For visitors arriving in Kusatsu, it provides an impressive introduction to the destination and builds anticipation for the hot spring experiences ahead.
One of the main attractions of Onsen Gate Plaza is its spacious foot bath, designed with the famous Yubatake in mind.
Three hot spring channels, each approximately 6 meters long, carry continuously flowing hot spring water. Around 600 liters of hot spring water per minute flows through the facility, allowing visitors to experience the remarkable abundance of Kusatsu’s hot spring resources even before entering the main hot spring town.
The foot bath is free and open to everyone. It is an easy way to warm tired feet after a long journey while taking a relaxing break before exploring Kusatsu.
During the day, visitors can sit in the foot bath while enjoying the fresh mountain air of the Kusatsu highlands. After sunset, the area takes on a different character as lighting creates an atmospheric scene of steam and illumination.
The combination of flowing hot spring water, rising steam, and nighttime lighting makes the plaza an attractive place to stop both at the beginning and end of a visit to Kusatsu.
Onsen Gate Plaza also provides a free parking area with space for 101 vehicles. The parking area is available 24 hours a day, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.
The development of the plaza and surrounding road infrastructure has helped improve traffic flow near the entrance to Kusatsu Onsen. Visitors can park here, take a short break at the foot bath, and then continue into the hot spring town.
This improved access is convenient not only for first-time visitors but also for travelers who return to Kusatsu regularly.
Kusatsu Onsen spreads across a highland area approximately 1,100–1,200 meters above sea level, with the volcanic landscape of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane rising nearby.
The area’s natural hot spring discharge exceeds 32,000 liters per minute, giving Kusatsu one of the largest natural supplies of hot spring water in Japan. This abundant flow is one of the defining characteristics of the destination.
The main springs of Kusatsu are generally classified as acidic, low-osmotic, high-temperature springs, with a pH of around 2.0. The strongly acidic water is one of the reasons Kusatsu has developed such a distinctive reputation among Japan’s hot spring destinations.
Traditional accounts have long associated Kusatsu’s waters with various health benefits, including relief from skin problems, minor wounds, neuralgia, and fatigue. The old saying that Kusatsu can “cure everything except lovesickness” reflects the extraordinary reputation of the springs in earlier times.
Among the best-known hot spring sources are the Yubatake, Shirahata, Jizo, Sainokawara, Nikawa, and Bandai sources. The Bandai Source is particularly notable for its extremely high temperature of approximately 95°C (203°F). Heat-exchange systems are used to cool the water to an appropriate temperature before it is supplied to bathing facilities.
Because Kusatsu’s hot spring water is both strongly acidic and often very hot, visitors should take care when bathing. Following a few basic steps can make the experience more comfortable.
Before entering the bath, pour some warm water over your body, particularly around the head, neck, and shoulders. This allows your body to gradually adjust to the heat.
Begin with a half-body bath rather than immediately immersing yourself completely. This gives your body time to become accustomed to the temperature.
For your first bath, around 5–10 minutes is a useful guideline. There is no need to endure the heat, so leave the bath if you begin to feel uncomfortable.
After bathing, avoid aggressively washing away every trace of the spring water. If you need to rinse, a light rinse is generally sufficient.
Hot spring bathing can cause significant sweating, particularly in Kusatsu’s high-temperature baths. Drink plenty of water after bathing and allow yourself time to rest. Taking approximately 30 minutes to relax after a bath can be a comfortable approach.
Kusatsu has flourished for centuries as a destination for toji, the traditional Japanese practice of staying at a hot spring resort for bathing and rest.
Warriors, writers, artists, and other travelers visited Kusatsu over the centuries. During the Edo period, the town became so prosperous that it was described with the expression “Kusatsu Senken Edo-gamae”, referring to its large number of houses and its Edo-style urban appearance.
Kusatsu also developed its own distinctive bathing traditions. One historically important practice was known as Jikan-yu, literally “timed bathing.” The method involved using Yumomi, a traditional technique of stirring the hot spring water with large wooden boards, to lower its temperature without diluting the spring water.
Bathing was then carried out for a prescribed length of time. This reflected the knowledge and customs that developed around Kusatsu’s exceptionally hot springs.
Today, elements of these traditions continue to be preserved at selected facilities, allowing visitors to learn about the distinctive bathing culture that developed in Kusatsu.
Onsen Gate Plaza is more than a transportation facility. With its woodenly decorated gateway, Yubatake-inspired foot bath, and convenient parking area, it has become a new sightseeing spot where visitors can begin experiencing the atmosphere of Kusatsu Onsen.
After warming your feet in the foot bath, continue toward the center of town and you will soon encounter the Yubatake, traditional communal bathhouses, historic inns, and steam-filled streets that define Kusatsu.
Onsen Gate Plaza represents the way Kusatsu is combining modern infrastructure with its long-established hot spring culture. As a new gateway to one of Japan’s most famous onsen destinations, it offers visitors a warm and memorable welcome to the town.