Gunma Onsen Roads— Seven Great Onsen Resorts in Gunma Hopping Fair

Event Period: January 6 (Mon), 2025 – February 4 (Tue), 2025

Event Period:
Jan.6(Mon),2025 – Feb.4(Tue),2025

Soaking in the onsen, stepping away from daily life, and being surrounded by rich nature heals both body and mind... Japan's onsen not only involve immersing oneself in the onsen as a blessing of nature but also include staying at traditional inns, tasting local cuisine, strolling through onsen towns dressed in yukata, and experiencing the hospitality of ryokan hosts and locals. It is a sanctuary of peace and comfort where one can fully appreciate the beauty and spirit unique to Japan.

Gunma Prefecture is one of Japan's premier onsen regions, home to approximately 100 onsen located in diverse natural settings like mountains, plateaus, and gorges. In addition to its seven major onsen—including Kusatsu Onsen, known for having the highest natural onsen output in Japan, as well as Ikaho, the 18 Minakami Onsen, Shima, Manza, Isobe, and Oigami—these areas are rich in history and culture.

For approximately one month during the beautiful winter season with snow-covered landscapes, an extensive onsen fair will be held to fully enjoy the onsen and culture that Gunma proudly offers. The Gunma Onsen Kaido connects the seven great onsen in the prefecture for a grand onsen fair. Explore the renowned onsen of Gunma, the onsen kingdom, using a web browser app on your smartphone. Immerse yourself in the baths, enjoy the local culture, and savor Japanese cuisine. With these unique moments of relaxation and comfort, why not take the opportunity to experience the essence of Japan and its natural beauty to the fullest?

manzashimaminakamikusatsuoigamiikahoisobe

*You will need to display the 100 Famous Onsen ticket and the bus ticket, both included in the Onsen Hopping Pass, on your smartphone screen.

100 Famous Onsen of the Seven Great Gunma Locations - Onsen Hopping Pass Sales

We have selected 100 Famous Onsen from Gunma Prefecture’s seven major onsen areas, including traditional and exclusive facilities not usually accessible to the public. For example, Otaki-no-yu, Goza-no-yu, and the West Riverside open-air bath in Kusatsu Onsen, known as the Three Kusatsu Onsens; the grand open-air bath at ShimaYamaguchi-kan (Shima Onsen), an onsen ryokan by the clear Shima River; and the open-air bath at the Manza Prince Hotel, offering breathtaking views at an altitude of 1,800 meters (Manza Onsen). Altogether, nearly 100 facilities are featured.

From January 6 (Mon) to February 4 (Tue), 2025, the Onsen Hopping Pass (Free Pass) will be available, allowing unrestricted access to any of the 100 Famous Onsen, and the Onsen Hopping Pass (Select 10), which lets visitors choose and enjoy 10 onsen from the 100. Pass holders will also receive perks such as unlimited rides on the Onsen Hopping Bus connecting the onsen resorts, exclusive invitations to Premium Events held at the Seven Great Gunma Onsen Resorts, and commemorative gifts for completing a survey. From renowned onsen to hidden gems, use the onsen hopping pass on your smartphone to fully enjoy Gunma’s prized onsen.

*You will need to display the 100 Famous Onsen ticket and the bus ticket, both included in the Onsen Hopping Pass, on your smartphone screen.

100 Famous Onsen Free Pass
All 100 Famous Onsen are available

Onsen Hopping Pass: 100 Famous Onsen Free Pass


Usage Period:
Jan.6(Mon) to Feb,4(Tue),2025
Price:
¥30,000 (tax included)
Select 10
You can choose 10 Onsen of your choice from among 100 Famous Onsen

Onsen Hopping Pass: Select 10


Usage Period:
Jan.6(Mon) to Feb.4(Tue),2025
Price:
¥5,000 (tax included)

Common Benefits for Both Pass Types:

Unlimited rides on the Onsen Hopping Bus
Special Event Tickets

Commemorative gift for completing a survey

Premium Events

Premium events will be held across various locations, allowing you to experience the nature and culture of the Seven Great Gunma Onsen. Along with visiting the 100 Famous Onsen, enjoy the unique culture and cuisine of Gunma's onsen areas. Onsen Hopping Pass holders can access special pricing via the *web browser app.
(*Instructions for using the web browser app will be provided by email to those who purchase the Onsen Hopping Pass.)

Experience the beauty of traditional Japanese dance at the historic onsen
Kusatsu Onsen

Experience the beauty of traditional Japanese dance at the historic onsen "Goza-no-yu."



Event Date:
Jan.11(Sat),Jan.25(Sat),2025
Enjoy picturesque winter scenery and Edomae sushi on the Night Gondola.
Kusatsu Onsen

Enjoy picturesque winter scenery and Edomae sushi on the Night Gondola.



Event Date:
Jan.11(Sat),Jan.18(Sat),Jan.25(Sat), Feb.1(Sat), 2025
Ikaho
Ikaho Onsen

Enjoy Ikaho's geisha culture and gourmet cuisine made with local ingredients at Yokotekan, a National Cultural Property



Event Date:
Jan.18(Sat),23(Thu),28(Tue),31(Fri),2025
Shima
Shima Onsen

Enjoy a night at Shima Onsen enveloped in magical lights —YOKAI ONSEN NIGHT PARADE



Event Date:
Jan.12(Sun), 13(Mon), 31(Fri), Feb.1(Sat),2025
Oigami
Oigami Onsen

Experience traditional festivals through the Snake Shrine Carrying and Hinamatsuri Doll Display


Event Date:
Jan.12(Sun),13(Mon),19(Sun),26(Sun),2025
Isobe
Isobe Onsen

Enjoy the beauty of a Japanese garden and matcha with an exclusive early morning visit to the nationally designated scenic spot Rakusan-en


Event Date:
Jan.12(Sun),19(Sun),26(Sun),Feb.2(Sun),2025
Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu Onsen boasts the highest natural onsen output in Japan, with more than 32,300 liters per minute—equivalent to about 230,000 barrels per day. Kusatsu Onsen is renowned for its high acidity, with a pH value of 2.1 (Onsen source). It has strong antibacterial properties and is highly effective for skin beautification. It was once said to cure any ailment except a broken heart. Recently, Ura-Kusatsu, located just a 5-minute walk from the Onsen field, has been developed and offers new attractions.


Ikaho Onsen

Ikaho Onsen

The historic town of Ikaho Onsen, mentioned in the Manyoshu and Kokinshu, is steeped in the charm of an old onsen town, centered around its 400-year-old stone step street. This 365-step path is lined with ryokan, souvenir shops, and restaurants, creating a lively atmosphere. The onsen offers two types of onsen sources: the "Golden Water," known for its warmth and promotion of blood circulation, particularly valued by women as the "Child-Blessing Water," and the colorless "Silver Water."

The Minakami 18 Onsens

The Minakami 18 Onsens

From hidden single-inn hot springs to bustling onsen towns, the Minakami Onsen area includes 9 onsens, the Sarugakyo Mikuni Onsen area has 5 onsens, and the Tsukiyono-Kamimoku Onsen area features 4 onsens, totaling 18. The onsens vary in types and benefits, offering luxurious experiences such as large open-air baths along mountain streams, panoramic baths overlooking lakes, and wooden tubs that are registered cultural properties. Minakami Town is also known as a hub for water sports and activities.


Shima Onsen

Shima Onsen

The Shima Onsen town stretches alongside the clear waters of the Shima River, connecting five areas: Hinatami, Yuzuriha, Arayu, Yamaguchi, and Onsen-guchi. The area retains a nostalgic Showa-era retro atmosphere with cafes and arcades. Historically, it flourished as a destination for onsen therapy and was designated the first National Recreation Onsen Area in 1954. Legend has it that the waters could "cure 40,000 illnesses," underscoring its long-standing reputation for healing and rejuvenation.


Manza Onsen

Manza Onsen

This onsen area is located at the foot of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters in the northwest of Gunma Prefecture, bordering Nagano Prefecture. It is renowned for its abundant onsen output, producing 5.4 million liters daily, and its excellent water quality. The acidic sulfur springs, considered some of the most mineral-rich in Japan, have been known for centuries to be effective against various ailments. Visitors can enjoy the area year-round, with spring offering remaining snow and fresh greenery, summer providing a cool retreat, autumn showcasing vibrant foliage, and winter offering ski opportunities.


Isobe Onsen

Isobe Onsen

This small onsen area is nestled along the banks of the Usui River. Historically, it has been bustling with travelers and hot‐spring cure the Nakasendo Road and is widely recognized as the birthplace of the onsen symbol used on maps to indicate hot springs and mineral springs in Japan. Its clear spring water, rich in salt content, is known for deeply warming the body and leaving the skin smooth and hydrated. Be sure to try local specialties such as ayu fish dishes, fluffy tofu hot pot, and Isobe Senbei, crackers baked with mineral water.


Oigami Onsen

Oigami Onsen

This onsen is steeped in the legend of the god of Mt. Akagi healing an arrow wound and is still cherished today for its ability to heal and beautify the skin. The water is clear, soft, and mildly alkaline, gently cleansing dirt and dead skin cells like soap and leaving the skin feeling smooth. Each May, the Giant Serpent Festival is held to commemorate the legend of its origin and to honor the god of Mt. Akagi.


Links to Onsen Associations