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Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan's great hot-spring towns. Steam rises from the Yubatake, the wooden hot-water field in the middle of town, and the sulfur smell follows you through the cobbled streets to the footbaths. It lies in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, and the most direct way up from Tokyo is a bus.
Tokyo to Kusatsu by Bus
JR Bus Kanto runs the Joshu Yumeguri bus from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) and Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, which is in the middle of town. The first bus leaves Tokyo Station at 07:20 and Shinjuku at 08:05 and reaches Kusatsu at 12:08, so the ride from Shinjuku takes about 4 hours. More buses leave Shinjuku at 09:05, 10:05, 11:05, 12:05, 16:05 and 18:05. All seats are reserved, and you can buy tickets online or at the ticket counter in Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal or at JR Bus Kanto at Tokyo Station.[1]
Tokyo to Kusatsu by Train and Bus
By train, go to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station and take a JR Bus Kanto bus to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. The buses are timed to meet the limited express trains, and at other times they leave once or twice an hour. The JR East Pass covers the bus, and otherwise you pay in cash or with an IC card as you leave the bus.[2]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Direct highway bus from Shinjuku | About 4h | Standard |
| Train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and bus | One change at the station | High |
Tips for Traveling from Tokyo to Kusatsu
- Book ahead: Kusatsu is a popular weekend escape, and reserved seats on the direct bus can run out.
- Pack for the cold: Kusatsu sits high in the mountains and can be snowy and much colder than Tokyo. Bring layers and shoes with good grip in winter.
- Send bags ahead: Use a takuhaibin delivery service to send suitcases to your ryokan.
- Footbaths: Look for the footbaths (ashiyu) around town after you arrive.
Timetable
| Bus Tokyo - Kusatsu Onsen Gunma $ 17.81–23.96 3h 30m – 5h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Tokyo to Kusatsu, including current prices and schedules.
The direct JR Bus Kanto bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal takes about 4 hours, for example 08:05 to 12:08.
Yes. The JR Bus Kanto Joshu Yumeguri bus runs from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South Exit) and Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Yes, all seats on the direct bus are reserved. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket counters at Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and Tokyo Station.
Yes. Take the train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station and then a JR Bus Kanto bus to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Yes, the bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station is covered by the JR East Pass.
Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, in the middle of the onsen town.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] JR Bus Kanto: Shinjuku Sta./ Tokyo Sta. (Tokyo) to Ikaho-Onsen, Kusatsu-Onsen: Joshu Yumeguri / Tokyo Yumeguri timetable. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
- [2] Visit Gunma (Gunma Prefecture): How to get to Kusatsu | Access Guide. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.