Sep 21, 2015 - 1 min read

Kusatsu Onsen's Nostalgic Charm

Wander through a traditional Japanese hot spring town

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Display outside a very traditional looking restaurant

Old Japan post boxes in three colors

Drinks cooling under running water

Kusatsu Onsen's mascot, Yumomi-chan, accompanies a tourist on a rickshaw ride

Flowers and lanterns at the graciously old-fashioned entrance of a hotel

Design with four arrow fletches

Cold drinking water in the street - just what you need when you emerge from one of Kusatsu's very hot baths

Reminds me of old parts of Kyoto

Onsen symbol on a wall

Young women wearing yukata

Another charming old-fashioned entrance

A small shrine opposite one of the free bath houses

I think this is another hotel

A glimpse of an inviting interior

The hot spring town of Kusatsu Onsen has been attracting visitors for centuries, and is full of real character. I loved the nostalgic atmosphere. Happily it is nothing like a museum. Instead it is still full of visitors. The streets are lined with thriving restaurants and stores. There are plenty of quaint old wooden buildings, and you can see that many newer buildings were designed to blend in with the old. It's a wonderful place to wander!

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Elena Lisina

Elena Lisina 8 years ago

This place reminds me Yudanaka Onsen where I spent some great quiet days.

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Elena Lisina

Elena Lisina 8 years ago

Yes, very quiet as I like! Big cties are tiresome for me.

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Olga

Olga 9 years ago

Very bright colors and interesting contrasts! Cool!

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