8 Recommended Day Trip Onsen in Gunma
8 Recommended Day Trip Onsens in Gunma! From Natural Hot Springs to Private Open-Air Baths
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Gunma has many charming day trip hot springs!
Gunma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's premier hot spring regions, boasting diverse water qualities and abundant hot spring water. There are over 100 hot spring areas within the prefecture, each with its own unique appeal. At day trip hot springs, you can enjoy open-air baths surrounded by beautiful nature and indoor baths with unique designs. The water qualities vary, including sulfur springs and chloride springs, offering benefits such as beautiful skin, fatigue recovery, and rheumatism improvement. Additionally, there are plenty of other enjoyable activities, such as strolling through the hot spring towns and savoring local specialty dishes. With seasonal scenery, Gunma's day trip hot springs continue to attract those seeking healing and a chance to refresh their mind and body.
8 Recommended Day Trip Hot Springs in Gunma
Nishi no Kawara Open-Air Bath: A spectacular open-air bath embraced by nature
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Nishi no Kawara Open-Air Bath, located in Kusatsu Onsen, a representative hot spring town in Gunma Prefecture, is a vast open-air bath covering approximately 500 square meters. Surrounded by beautiful nature throughout the four seasons, you can enjoy panoramic views from the bath. The hot spring water, from the Bandaigensen source, has a temperature of 94-95 degrees Celsius and is effective for neuralgia and skin beautification due to its sterilizing and anti-inflammatory properties. At night, the bath is lit up, offering an enchanting experience of bathing under the starry sky. There are separate baths for men and women, and on Friday evenings, the men's bath becomes mixed-gender. You can also enjoy natural footbaths in the nearby Nishi no Kawara Park, making it perfect for a day trip to the hot springs.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 521-3 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma 377-1711 |
| Access | From Kanetsu Expressway Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, take R353, R145, R292 towards Kusatsu for 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Parking | Tenguyama Daiichi Parking (300 spaces) Free |
| Opening hours | 4/1～11/30 7:00～20:00 (Last entry 19:30) 12/1～3/31 9:00～20:00 (Last entry 19:30) |
| Price | Adults (junior high school age and above): 800 yen Children (3 years old to elementary school age): 400 yen |
Ohtaki-no-Yu: A magnificent waterfall bath with free-flowing hot spring water
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Ohtaki-no-Yu is one of Kusatsu Onsen's three major public bathhouses, known for its "beauty water" from the Nikawa hot spring source, which is free-flowing. Its main features are the traditional "awaseyu" (sequential bathing through baths of different temperatures) and an open-air bath with a magnificent hot water waterfall. The acidic sulfur spring (pH 2.1) is expected to be effective for neuralgia, joint pain, and skin beautification. Furthermore, on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, the normally clear water turns milky white, offering a special hot spring experience. Immerse yourself in nature and fully enjoy Kusatsu's famous hot spring.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 596-13 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma 377-1711 |
| Access | Approx. 25 minutes by bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, approx. 5 minutes walk from the bus stop |
| Parking | Free (100 spaces) |
| Opening hours | 9:00～21:00 (Last entry 20:00) |
| Price | Adults 1,100 yen, Children 550 yen (3 years old to elementary school age) |
Shirahatano-Yu: Experience the local atmosphere at a historic public bathhouse
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Shirahatano-Yu, located near Yubatake in the center of Kusatsu Onsen, is Kusatsu's largest public bathhouse. This historic hot spring, said to have been discovered by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1193, features highly acidic, milky white water. With a source temperature of 55.5°C and a pH of 2.1, the water has high sterilizing and skin-beautifying effects and is beloved by locals. There are two baths: an "atsu-yu" (hot bath) at 49°C and a "nuru-yu" (lukewarm bath) at 47°C, making it perfect for those who enjoy hot water. It's free to use, and sometimes local volunteers offer yumomi (hot water kneading) experiences and bathing instructions.
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| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma |
| Access | From JR Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, take the JR Bus for Kusatsu Onsen for 25 minutes, get off at Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, then a 5-minute walk. |
| Parking | None (use nearby paid parking) |
| Opening hours | – |
| Price | Free |
Natural Hot Spring Shichifuku no Yu Maebashi Branch: A relaxing hot spring space that brings 7 kinds of happiness
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Shichifuku no Yu Maebashi branch is a day trip hot spring facility where you can enjoy natural hot spring water flowing directly from the source, rising from 1500m underground. In addition to a large open-air bath and a large indoor bath, there are 11 types of baths including rock baths, carbonated baths, and salt saunas, allowing you to enjoy a diverse bathing experience. Furthermore, two types of bedrock baths using medicinal jade and maifan stone are also popular. Infrared saunas and steam saunas are also fully equipped, offering excellent relaxation effects. The facility also has a restaurant and relaxation area, so you can spend a full day at your leisure. Operating hours are 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM on weekdays and 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM on weekends and holidays, making it available from early morning to late night.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 128 Amagawaoshima-cho, Maebashi-shi, Gunma |
| Access | 10 minutes walk from JR Ryomo Line Maebashi-Oshima Station. From Kitakanto Expressway Komagata IC, take Prefectural Road 2 towards Maebashi for 5km. |
| Parking | 200 spaces (free) |
| Opening hours | Weekdays 9:00～25:00 (Last admission 24:00) Weekends/Holidays 6:00～25:00 (Last admission 24:00) |
| Price | – |
Maebashi Ekimae Natural Hot Spring Yu-Yu: Easily enjoy authentic hot springs right in front of the station
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Maebashi Ekimae Natural Hot Spring Yu-Yu is a day trip hot spring facility conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from JR Maebashi Station. It offers 100% free-flowing sodium-chloride hot spring water from 1,500m underground, which is expected to be effective for neuralgia and fatigue recovery. The facility is equipped with a large communal bath, an open-air bath, a dry sauna, and a bedrock bath, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of hot spring experiences. It's a perfect hot spring spot to easily drop by after work or during sightseeing.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-10-31 Omote-machi, Maebashi-shi, Gunma 371-0024 |
| Access | 2 minutes walk from JR Maebashi Station North Exit, approx. 5km from Kanetsu Expressway Maebashi IC via National Routes 17 and 50 |
| Parking | 100 spaces |
| Opening hours | 10:00～22:00 (Last entry for bathing 21:30) |
| Price | Adults (weekdays): 900 yen, Adults (weekends/holidays/special days): 1,000 yen, Elementary school students: 350 yen, Children under 5: Free |
Sawatari Onsen Public Bath: Conveying the atmosphere of an old-fashioned therapeutic hot spring
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Sawatari Onsen Public Bath is a historic hot spring facility where you can enjoy natural hot spring water that has been flowing since the Jomon period. The water quality is calcium-sodium-sulfate-chloride spring, boasting an alkaline pH of 8.5, which is gentle on the skin and expected to have beautifying effects. It is also known as "Kusatsu's healing bath" because visitors who have suffered skin irritation at Kusatsu Onsen often come here for a finishing treatment. The bath temperature is about 43°C, allowing you to enjoy free-flowing hot spring water with floating "yunohana" (hot spring minerals). The stone-built bathroom and small tubs create the atmosphere of an old-fashioned therapeutic hot spring. Day-trip bathing is also available, allowing you to experience authentic hot springs while interacting with locals.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2310 Kamisawatari, Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture |
| Access | From JR Agatsuma Line Nakanojo Station, take Kan-etsu Kotsu Bus for Sawatari for 20 minutes, get off at Sawatari Onsen, then a 5-minute walk. From Kanetsu Expressway Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, take National Route 353 and Prefectural Road 55 towards Kusatsu for 33km. |
| Parking | 4 spaces (free) |
| Opening hours | 9:00～20:30 |
| Price | Adults 300 yen, Elementary school students 200 yen |
Kaneshima Onsen Fuki no Yu: Feel opulent in a spacious area with abundant hot spring water
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kaneshima Onsen Fuki no Yu is a day-trip hot spring facility with free-flowing hot spring water, located in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture. It offers calcium-sodium-chloride hot spring water that springs from 930m underground, heated to approximately 9°C without adding extra water. The slightly brownish water, containing iron and magnesium, is similar in quality to Ikaho Onsen and warms the body from the core. It features an indoor bath and an open-air bath built with natural stones, creating an inviting atmosphere. Moreover, you can enjoy the unique location where you can view the streaks of light from the Shinkansen from the resting room.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 99-1 Kawashima, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma |
| Access | 5 minutes walk from JR Agatsuma Line Kaneshima Station, 7km from Kanetsu Expressway Shibukawa-Ikaho IC via National Routes 17 and 353 towards Nakanojo. |
| Parking | 100 spaces (free) |
| Opening hours | 10:00～21:00 (Reception until 20:30) |
| Price | Bath fee (2 hours): Adults 500 yen, Elementary school students 200 yen, Seniors 65+ and disabled 300 yen, Infants/preschoolers 100 yen, additional 100 yen per hour exceeding 1 hour. |
Kozumi Onsen: A secluded inn in a quiet mountain village with a hidden hot spring atmosphere
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kozumi Onsen is a hidden hot spring nestled at the foot of Mt. Hotaka in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture. It is a secluded inn facing the Unusune River valley, cherished as a therapeutic hot spring since ancient times. Its greatest attractions are the spectacular open-air bath overlooking the valley and the precious simple sulfur hot spring, which is naturally gushing. With its slightly alkaline water gentle on the skin, it is popular as a "beauty hot spring." The lukewarm and soft water quality is also perfect for long baths. The bathing fee is a reasonable 650 yen for adults. The inn also has a restaurant where you can enjoy dishes and sweets made with fresh local ingredients. It's a hidden gem of a hot spring where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and be healed by quiet nature.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1851-2 Kawabayuhara, Kawaba-mura, Tone-gun, Gunma |
| Access | Approx. 20 minutes by car from Kanetsu Expressway Numata IC, 30 minutes by taxi from JR Joetsu Line Numata Station |
| Parking | 30 spaces (free) |
| Opening hours | – |
| Price | Adults (junior high school age and above) 650 yen, Children (elementary school age) 500 yen |
Enjoy Gunma's popular day trip hot springs!
Gunma Prefecture is known as a treasure trove of hot springs, with many facilities available for day trips. The eight hot springs introduced in this article each have their unique characteristics and charm visitors. You can refresh your mind and body in natural hot springs with free-flowing water, or enjoy a luxurious time in a private open-air bath, among other ways to enjoy. In hot spring areas surrounded by the beauty of nature throughout the seasons, you can also enjoy nearby tourist attractions and local gourmet food in addition to the hot springs. Gunma's hot springs are wonderful places to heal daily fatigue and nourish your soul. Please find your favorite hot spring and spend a rich and fulfilling time.