Tokyo to Gunma’s Three Famous Onsen | Kusatsu, Ikaho & Shima

Kusatsu, Ikaho and Shima are Gunma’s three traditionally renowned hot spring towns, known in Japanese as 上毛三名湯. The name reflects their longstanding reputation. For a first Gunma onsen trip, choose Kusatsu for its lively hot spring center. Choose Ikaho if you’d rather explore an old hillside town on foot, or Shima if a riverside ryokan and an unhurried morning sound like your ideal stay.

Which of Gunma’s Three Famous Onsen Should You Visit?

Kusatsu Onsen / 草津温泉: A First Visit With Plenty to See

Kusatsu is known for its hot, strongly acidic spring water and the Yubatake (湯畑), where steaming water flows through wooden channels in the middle of town. Nearby, the yumomi performance at Netsunoyu shows how long wooden paddles were traditionally used to cool the water. Return to the Yubatake after dinner to see the steam drift through the evening lights.

Kusatsu is a good first choice because the central sights are easy to combine. You can see the water at its source, learn about local bathing culture and enjoy an evening walk without planning a separate excursion for each experience.

Ikaho Onsen / 伊香保温泉: A Walk Through an Old Hillside Town

Ikaho’s history is reflected in the stone stairway known as Ishidangai (石段街), with inns and small shops along the climb. The town has two well-known spring waters: Kogane no Yu, which takes on a reddish-brown color from iron, and Shirogane no Yu, a clear water from a more recently discovered source. Ask your accommodation which water its baths use.

The stairs reward a slow visit: pause for a snack, browse a shop or turn back whenever you’ve had enough. If you have large suitcases or prefer to avoid stairs, ask your ryokan which road entrance or bus stop to use before you set out.

Shima Onsen / 四万温泉: A Ryokan Stay Beside the River

Shima lies along the upper Shima River, with mountains enclosing the valley on three sides. Nakanojo Town describes its spring water as chloride-sulfate water and records Shima’s designation as Japan’s first National Recreation Onsen Area in 1954. Traditional wooden inns and newer accommodation both form part of the town.

Choose Shima if you want time for a riverside walk, a bath and a long dinner, with little need to move on the next morning. Across all three towns, room views, private baths, dinner and breakfast depend on the property and booking plan.

How Do You Get There From Tokyo, Narita or Haneda?

For the rail routes below, start at JR Ueno. From Narita Terminal 1, take the Keisei Skyliner to Keisei-Ueno, then walk to JR Ueno; the standard adult paper fare is ¥2,580 including the Skyliner supplement. From Haneda Terminal 3, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho and a JR train to Ueno. The Haneda seasonal coach described below boards at Airport Garden, reached by the connecting walkway from Terminal 3.

The Ueno fares below are adult one-way examples with regular-season reserved limited-express seating and the local bus included. The time estimates allow for workable connections from Ueno, excluding airport travel and the final trip to your inn. The limited express has relatively few departures, so check it before booking your airport train.

Getting to Kusatsu Onsen

• Tokyo: JR Ueno → Kusatsu-Shima limited express to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi → JR Bus Kanto to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. About ¥6,260 and 3–3½ hours with a suitable connection. Selected Yumeguri coaches also run from Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit or Busta Shinjuku.
• Narita: Use the Skyliner–Ueno connection above. The combined example is ¥8,840, before any final ride to your inn.
• Haneda: Connect via Hamamatsucho and Ueno, then follow the same rail-and-bus route. Ask your ryokan whether to walk from the terminal, take a taxi or arrange an available shuttle.

Getting to Ikaho Onsen

• Tokyo: JR Ueno → Kusatsu-Shima limited express to Shibukawa → Kan-etsu local bus to Ishidangaiguchi at the stone steps. Allow about ¥5,060 and 2–2½ hours. Selected Yumeguri coaches also stop at Ikaho Ishidangai, the highway-coach stop name.
• Narita: Connect through Ueno as above; the combined example is ¥7,640.
• Haneda: The seasonal Kan-etsu coach leaves Haneda Airport Garden, bay 6, at 10:20, reaching Ikaho Bus Terminal at 14:31 or Ishidangaiguchi at 14:35. It is scheduled from November 1, 2026, to May 5, 2027. If the coach doesn’t fit your flight, use the Ueno route. Check which stop gives you the easiest approach to your inn.

Getting to Shima Onsen

• Tokyo: JR Ueno → Kusatsu-Shima limited express to Nakanojo → Kan-etsu local bus to Shima Onsen. Allow about ¥5,790 and 2¾–3½ hours. The year-round direct coach from Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit also offers a scheduled 8:50–12:15 trip under the November timetable.
• Narita: Connect through Ueno as above; the combined example is ¥8,370.
• Haneda: The same seasonal 10:20 Airport Garden coach continues to Shima Onsen, in front of Shima Grand Hotel, at 15:30. If you miss it, connect via Ueno and Nakanojo. Ask your ryokan whether the terminal or an earlier valley stop is closer.

Can You Travel Between Gunma’s Onsen Towns?

Yes. Public transport can keep costs down, especially for one or two travelers, but plan around the least frequent train or bus. Use these routes in either direction and check the timetable for that direction and day.

• Ikaho ↔ Shima: Local bus between Ikaho and Shibukawa, JR Agatsuma Line between Shibukawa and Nakanojo, then local bus between Nakanojo and Shima. The seasonal Haneda coach serves both towns, but its timetable lists them as drop-off stops on the outbound run and pickup stops on the return. Use the local connection for travel between them.
• Shima ↔ Kusatsu: Local bus to Nakanojo, JR Agatsuma Line to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then the JR bus to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. Some daytime gaps between local trains or Shima buses exceed an hour. Missing one connection can eat into the time you’ve allowed for check-in.
• Ikaho ↔ Kusatsu: Nishi Tokyo Bus’s Yumeguri Hachioji offers direct local-section travel for ¥1,300, subject to an empty seat; this segment cannot be reserved. If the coach doesn’t fit, take the local bus via Shibukawa, the Agatsuma Line to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, and the bus to Kusatsu.

A private vehicle can pick you up at your ryokan, carry your bags while you stop for lunch or a walk, and take you to the next inn. This can be useful when you’re moving with several suitcases and need to arrive before a fixed dinner time.

Stay Two Nights or Make a Three-Day Loop?

Two nights in one town: Pick the ryokan you most want to spend time in. Keep the middle day for a bath, a walk and dinner. Add a day trip only if the return connection leaves enough time for your meal.

Two nights, three towns: On Day 1, travel from Tokyo to Ikaho for a walk or lunch, then sleep in Shima. On Day 2, leave time for the river before continuing to Kusatsu for your second night. Return on Day 3. This works best when the onward connections or vehicle bookings are set before you reserve dinner. If you want an evening in every town, allow three nights.

Start or Finish Your Japan Trip at an Onsen

On arrival day, add immigration and baggage collection time before counting any train or driving time. Confirm your ryokan’s latest check-in and dinner arrival time. At the end of your Japan trip, a night or two in Gunma can work before heading to Narita or Haneda. For an early flight, consider spending the previous night in Tokyo or near the airport. Allow more time when winter weather or road conditions affect the route.

KT Hire can quote a single airport or inter-town transfer, a transfer with sightseeing stops, or vehicle use on several dates. Each is planned separately; a multi-day booking does not mean a driver and vehicle remain on standby overnight. Via WhatsApp on the official KT Hire website⁠, send your travel dates, airport and flight details or pickup hotel, onsen accommodation, passenger and luggage details, preferred stops and return flight information.

FAQ

Q1. What are Gunma’s three traditional famous onsen?

Kusatsu, Ikaho and Shima. 上毛三名湯 is a traditional designation for the three towns, rather than a current popularity ranking.

Q2. Which should I choose: Kusatsu, Ikaho or Shima Onsen?

Choose Kusatsu for a first visit centered on hot spring culture, Ikaho for a historic stairway stroll, or Shima for a slower riverside ryokan stay.

Q3. How do I reach these onsen towns from Tokyo, Narita or Haneda?

From Ueno, use the limited express and a local bus. Narita connects via the Skyliner; Haneda connects by rail or, in season, by coach to Ikaho and Shima.

Q4. Can I travel between Kusatsu, Ikaho and Shima by public transport?

Yes. Shima connections usually go through Nakanojo. Ikaho and Kusatsu also have a direct coach option when seats are available. Check return connections separately.

Q5. Can KT Hire arrange one transfer or a multi-day onsen itinerary?

Yes. Request just the leg you need or send your dates for a multi-day quote. Include your ryokan addresses, luggage and any stops you want to make.

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