Steaming Yubatake hot-water field with timber troughs at the center of Kusatsu Onsen at dusk

Trip Board Template

Plan 3 days in Kusatsu Onsen with a board you can actually edit

Start with the real Kusatsu Onsen board in Instaboard - mapped stops, day-by-day structure, and live sharing - then tailor the pacing, bookings, and notes to your trip.

Gunma, Japan

3-Day template

City Break

Best best April-October

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About This Template

Why this Kusatsu Onsen board feels complete

Build a 3-day Kusatsu Onsen trip around the steaming Yubatake hot-water field, a morning hike to the Yugama crater lake on Mt. Shirane, and a soak in the tiered pools at Otakinoyu. This itinerary clusters Day 1 around the Yubatake, a yumomi show at Netsunoyu, and an evening bath at Otakinoyu, Day 2 around riverside thermal trails at Sainokawara Park and the volcanic slopes of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane, and Day 3 around panoramic gondola views at the ski resort, soba lunch in town, and a last soak before departure. Summer brings cool mountain air and open hiking on Mt. Shirane, while winter blankets the town in snow with skiing and steaming outdoor baths.

Built itinerary

The itinerary is already built for you, and you can edit, customize, and rearrange it however you want.

Interactive map view

Drag places onto the canvas to plan visually, then see everything you added mapped out in one place.

Phone-ready itinerary

You get a cleaner version of the itinerary on your phone that is easy to use and easy to share.

Real-time collaboration

Everyone sees updates instantly and can make changes together without losing track of the latest version.

Actual board preview

See The Board Before You Open It

Preview the Kusatsu Onsen layout in full.

This is the actual board structure you get when you open the template, not a generic mockup.

Open instantly

Jump into the board with the structure already laid out so you can start editing immediately.

Adjust to your pace

Swap stops, reorder days, and reshape the plan without rebuilding the trip from scratch.

Share with companions

Keep everyone on the same itinerary instead of scattered screenshots and text threads.

Must-Visit Attractions

The key stops are already surfaced for you.

Fresh highlights pulled from the template so you can browse the shape of the trip before opening it.

Must visit

Yubatake

The hot-water field at the center of Kusatsu where 500 liters of thermal water cascade through timber troughs every minute, dramatically lit after dark. Visit at sunset to catch the steam glowing against the evening sky, when the troughs are most photogenic.

Must visit

Netsunoyu Hall

Venue for the traditional yumomi performance, where costumed performers cool scalding onsen water with large wooden paddles as folk songs echo through the hall. Six shows run daily; arrive 20 minutes early for the best seats.

Must visit

Otakinoyu

One of Kusatsu's most revered public bathhouses, known as the onsen of beauty, with tiered Awaseyu pools fed by 100% free-flowing acidic sulfur water. Bring cash for entry, as electronic payment is not always accepted.

Must visit

Sainokawara Park

A riverside nature park 10 minutes on foot from the Yubatake, with walking trails past bubbling thermal vents and a large outdoor rotenburo that holds around 100 bathers. Arrive early morning to avoid crowds at the open-air bath.

Yugama crater lake on Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane with turquoise acidic water and volcanic rock

Must visit

Mt. Shirane (Kusatsu-Shirane)

An active 2,160-meter volcano with hiking trails to the Yugama crater lake, one of the most acidic lakes in the world. The bus from Kusatsu runs on a limited schedule, so check times in advance and dress in warm layers even in summer.

Pulse Gondola Tengu ascending above tree line with panoramic mountain views at Kusatsu Ski Resort

Must visit

Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort (Mt. Tengu)

One of Japan's highest ski areas at 1,385 meters, with the Pulse Gondola Tengu offering panoramic alpine views year-round plus zip-lining and mountain carting in warmer months. Prebook the gondola ticket online to skip weekend queues.

Budgeting At A Glance

Plan the trip cost with less guesswork.

Typical daily costs in JPY.

Budget

Accommodation: ¥3,000 - ¥6,000 (hostels or budget guesthouses)

Food: ¥1,500 - ¥2,500 (convenience stores, local soba shops, onsen manju snacks)

Transportation: ¥800 - ¥1,500 (local buses, walking within Kusatsu town center)

Activities: ¥0 - ¥2,000 (free public bathhouses, Yubatake viewing, paid yumomi show)

Mid-range

Accommodation: ¥12,000 - ¥25,000 (business hotels or mid-range ryokan with shared onsen)

Food: ¥3,500 - ¥6,000 (local restaurants, soba lunch at Mikuniya, onsen town cafes)

Transportation: ¥2,000 - ¥4,000 (bus to Mt. Shirane, gondola shuttle, occasional taxi)

Activities: ¥2,500 - ¥5,500 (Otakinoyu entry, gondola ticket, yumomi show reservation)

Luxury

Accommodation: ¥35,000 - ¥80,000 (upscale ryokan with private onsen and kaiseki dinner)

Food: ¥10,000 - ¥18,000 (kaiseki, wagyu, fine dining with mountain views)

Transportation: ¥5,000 - ¥10,000 (private car or taxi from Karuizawa or Naganohara)

Activities: ¥8,000 - ¥15,000 (private guided hikes, premium onsen experiences, reserved yumomi seating)

Money-saving tips

Use Kusatsu's three free public bathhouses, Shirahata-no-Yu, Chiyo-no-Yu, and Jizo-no-Yu, instead of paying for every soak. They are clean, authentic, and open daily.
Take the Joshinetsu bus from Karuizawa Station or Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station instead of a taxi. The ride is scenic and costs a fraction of a private transfer.
Book ryokan stays that include breakfast and dinner to cover two meals in one package, which is often cheaper than eating out separately.

Ready to make this Kusatsu Onsen plan your own?

Open the template, personalize each day, and share the live itinerary with your travel group.