Looking for the best onsens in Japan? Over a 4 day itinerary, we visit the best of Gunma Prefecture, home to some of Japan’s most famous hot springs, 1 hour from Tokyo. Since this video is sponsored by Visit Gunma, we get to take our cameras into the best onsens around Kusatsu Onsen. We visit Minakami’s ski resorts with stunning mountain views such as Mt. T and Minakami Kogen Ski Resort, and discover why Gunma is a hidden gem Japan travel destination, before finishing with Takasaki, the home of Daruma. Where are the best hot springs in Japan? What’s the best ryokan in Kusatsu Onsen? Find out in this ultimate Gunma travel guide!

Plus, we show you around the best luxury ryokans (Kusatsu Onsen Naraya and Bettei Senjuan) and moderate ryokans (Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku) in Gunma, complete with hot springs, and indulge in traditional kaiseki multi-course meals.

HELPFUL LINKS FROM THE VIDEO

👉 Visit Gunma: www.visit-gunma.jp/en/

👉 Trip Advisor page with links to almost all locations highlighted: www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-llzYxwyxGyJY-A_guide_…

👉 Visit Gunma Official Instagram: www.instagram.com/visitgunma/

👉 The JR Bus timetable from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal since this route doesn't appear on Google Maps (at time of writing): www.jrbuskanto.co.jp.e.wn.hp.transer.com/bus_etc/c…

👉 Not mentioned in the video but here is a PDF showing a direct bus from Tokyo to Kusatsu Onsen. Takes a little longer but no changes. Correct at time of writing. www.jrbuskanto.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/e6_1en.pdf

👉 Kusatsu Onsen Naraya Ryokan (best to use auto English browser translate for full access to website info): www.kusatsu-naraya.co.jp/

👉 Minakami Bettei Senjuan Ryokan (best to use auto English browser translate for full access to website info): www.senjyuan.jp/

👉 Minakami Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku Ryokan: www.takaragawa.com/english.html

👉 How to access Kusatsu Ski Resort: www.932-onsen.com/common/access/

👉 How to access Mt. T Ski Resort: tanigawadake-joch.com/en/mt-t/route/

👉 Gondola Lunch info: tanigawadake-joch.com/en/experience/gondralunch/

👉 How to access Minakami Kogen Ski Resort: www.minakamikogen200.jp/en/resort/#access

Filmed in Jan 2025
👉 Mostly shot on iPhone 16 Pro
👉 Action Cam: amzn.to/42Rcdyh

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00:00 Gunma Japan
1:43 Kusatsu Onsen What to Do
6:13 Best Gunma Ryokans
8:35 Kusatsu Onsen
10:00 Minakami What to Do
14:15 Wow Ryokan
17:15 Takasaki
20:57 Mountain Ryokan
23:48 Transport in Gunma

#gunma #visitgunma #kusatsuonsen