Gunma · Kusatsu Onsen
Gozanoyu
御座之湯
Right in front of the Yubatake, a wooden recreation of the Edo–Meiji communal baths. Wood and stone bath halls alternate between men and women daily, with two sources (Yubatake and Bandaiko). The upstairs hall looks down on the Yubatake.
- Price (adult)
- ¥900
- Hours
- 07:00–21:00 (Dec–Mar from 08:00; last entry 20:30)
- Closed
- Open daily (occasional maintenance closures)
- Access
- 5 min walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal
- Water type
- Acidic spring
- Tattoos
- Not allowed
- Admission
- Adults ¥900 / children ¥450; disability discount 50%. Private tatami room ¥2,000/hr; in-house yukata ¥300; street yukata rental (3 hrs incl. bath) ¥2,500
- Springs
- Two free-flowing sources (Yubatake & Bandaiko). The wood bath and stone bath swap between men and women daily
- Rest area
- Free 45-tatami hall on 2F (9:00–20:00) overlooking Yubatake
- Opened
- April 2013 (rebuilt version of a communal bath that existed until the Meiji era)
- Phone
- 0279-88-9000
- Official site
- gozanoyu.com ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Kusatsu Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Two sources: Yubatake and Bandaiko
- Part of the Kusatsu three-bath pass
- Yukata rental for strolling the town
The timber bathhouse facing Yubatake
Gozanoyu revives the name of a historic communal bath linked to shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, rebuilt in 2013 as an all-timber two-storey house on Yubatake square in Edo–Meiji bathhouse style. Its big draw is comparing two sources — Yubatake and Bandaiko — under one roof. The wood and stone bathrooms swap genders daily, so a two-night stay lets you try both.
Tips
- Indoor baths only, no rotenburo (go to Sainokawara for that).
- The 2F hall is free for bathers; the 12-tatami room can be booked privately (¥2,000/hr).
- Many combine the street-yukata rental (¥2,500 / 3 hrs incl. bath) with a stroll around Yubatake.
- Covered by the ¥2,100 three-bath pass.
- Opens 7:00 Apr–Nov, 8:00 Dec–Mar; last entry 20:30.
Getting there
About 5 min on foot from the bus terminal, right on Yubatake square. Use the paid Yubatake tourist car park (5 min walk).
Before you go
- Tattoos are explicitly not allowed, even if covered.
- Strongly acidic water — rinse off afterwards, avoid long soaks, and remove silver jewellery.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Price
Convenience
Language support
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 湯Love草津(草津温泉観光協会)・名湯ナビ2026-03
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
A 10-minute walk west of Kusatsu's Yubatake, at the far end of Sainokawara Park, lies one of Japan's largest open-air baths. Around 500 m² of pool brims with strongly acidic water, open to the surrounding forest. Snow in winter, fresh green in summer, illuminations at night. There are no washing stations — this is purely for soaking.
Otakinoyu
A large day facility where you can try Kusatsu's traditional 'awase-yu' — a row of wooden tubs at rising temperatures, entered in order. Indoor baths, rotenburo, sauna, plus rest and dining areas make it good for half a day. About 10 minutes' walk from the Yubatake, or a short bus ride. Admission ¥1,200 (2026); three-bath pass with Gozanoyu and Sainokawara ¥2,100.
Manza Onsen Nisshinkan
At 1,800 m, one of Japan's highest onsen. Milky water with some of the country's highest sulfur content, across nine tubs. Day use 10:00–17:00; prices rise in peak season.