On the departure from the Tokyo's Ueno station, Kusatsu Express train, also called "Kusatsu-Go", reach Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi after 2h36. The rest of the way until Kusatsu is by Japan Railway (JR) bus.
Located in the Gunma prefecture, the town is mainly known for its hot springs, or "onsens", and for the benefits of its hot water. The twown host a dizain of onsens, from the smallest (Azumaya foot-bath) to the vastest (Sai no Kawara outdoor hot spring bath (photo #001-000102.022)) thearefore a few of them are reserved for habitants.
The heart of the small city hosts the attractions : Yubatake and the Netsu-no-Yu onsen, and a plethore of hotels, ryokans, restaurant and shop selling souvenirs.
Yubatake is the name of the main hot spring source of the onsen resort. The water arrives piping hot from the boiling bowels of the earth, and is cooled through a chain of seven traditional wooden buckets before being sent on to the ryokans of Kusatsu (photos #001-000102.002, #001-000102.004). Yunotaki, the hot spring waterfall, end the chain of pipeline-buckets (#001-000102.006).
The Yumomi Show, or he Hot Spring Stiring Show is one of the most famous attractions of Kusatsu. The show, hosted in the Netsu-no-Yu onsen is based on the old traditional technique used to cool down onsen baths water by stiring it with large wooden paddles (#001-000102.005).
