Kawaba(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

For skiers seeking ski-in/ski-out convenience, Kusatsu Ski Resort Hotel is the top choice. Located directly adjacent to the Kusatsu Ski Resort, this hotel offers private ski storage, free rental gear, and direct access to beginner to advanced slopes. Rooms feature warm wooden interiors, heated floors, and panoramic mountain views.

For a more luxurious stay, consider Kusatsu Forest Lodge, a boutique property with private cabins offering en-suite hot tubs and mountain-view balconies. Both properties are within walking distance of Kusatsu Onsen and local dining options.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Ski Resort, Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture

Top experiences: Skiing, snowboarding, après-ski relaxation, winter photography

The premier cherry blossom viewing spot in Kusatsu Village is Kusatsu Park, home to over 300 sakura trees that bloom in full glory each April. The park’s serene lake reflects the pink petals, creating a dreamy landscape perfect for photos.

Each year, the Kusatsu Cherry Blossom Festival features illuminated night walks, traditional performances, food stalls, and lantern displays along the riverbanks.

For a quieter experience, hike the Kusatsu Ridge Trail, where cherry trees form a natural tunnel overlooking the valley. Pair your visit with a soak at Kusatsu Onsen to enjoy the spring season in ultimate tranquility.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Park, Kusatsu Ridge Trail, Kusatsu Cherry Blossom Festival

Top experiences: Sakura viewing, night lantern walk, cultural festival, photography

Families visiting Kusatsu Village should consider Kusatsu Family Fun Hotel, which offers dedicated playrooms, children’s workshops, outdoor grass areas, and baby amenities like cribs and high chairs.

Another excellent option is Kusatsu Forest Cabins, a cluster of self-contained wooden lodges with kitchens, spacious decks, and pet-friendly policies. Kids can interact with friendly farm animals like rabbits and chickens, learning about rural life firsthand.

Both hotels are centrally located near Kusatsu Onsen, Kusatsu Park, and public transport, making daily excursions easy and stress-free.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Family Fun Hotel, Kusatsu Forest Cabins, Kusatsu Park

Top experiences: Family bonding, hands-on learning, outdoor play, farm animal interaction

A must-try cultural experience in Kusatsu Village is crafting your own traditional paper umbrella at the Kusatsu Paper Umbrella Workshop. Under expert guidance, visitors learn bamboo weaving, hand-painting designs, and sealing techniques—each umbrella becomes a unique keepsake.

The annual Kusatsu Rice Festival celebrates harvest traditions with old farming tools, local cuisine like fresh rice balls and sake, and folk dance performances.

History enthusiasts should visit the Kusatsu Ancient Settlement Site, a preserved Edo-period post town with original wooden houses and storytelling tours that reveal the village’s heritage.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Paper Umbrella Workshop, Kusatsu Rice Festival, Kusatsu Ancient Settlement Site

Top experiences: Craft workshops, seasonal festivals, historical walking tour, traditional arts

For ultimate relaxation, Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan stands out as a centuries-old ryokan offering private open-air baths with mineral-rich water high in sulfur and silicate—ideal for skin health and joint relief.

Rooms feature tatami mats, shoji screens, and some with private gardens or mountain views. Daily meals include kaiseki-style cuisine using local ingredients like wild mountain vegetables and fresh fish from Gunma’s rivers.

Alternatively, Kusatsu Mizu Bettei blends modern design with Zen aesthetics, featuring meditation spaces, aromatherapy treatments, and full-body massages. Perfect for urban travelers seeking mental reset.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan, Kusatsu Mizu Bettei, Kusatsu Onsen

Top experiences: Private soaking, kaiseki dining, wellness therapy, mindfulness retreat

Kusatsu Highland Observatory is the premier stargazing site in Kusatsu Village, situated at 800 meters elevation with minimal light pollution. Equipped with professional telescopes and nightly guided astronomy talks, it reveals constellations, planets, and even meteor showers during peak seasons.

For a more secluded experience, hike the Kusatsu Ridge Trail after dark. Its unobstructed sky view offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way, especially vibrant from late summer to early autumn.

Pair your visit with an overnight stay at a nearby ryokan and enjoy a quiet night under the stars—perfect for photographers and nature lovers.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Highland Observatory, Kusatsu Ridge Trail, Gunma Highlands

Top experiences: Night sky viewing, meteor shower watching, astrophotography, silent meditation

Begin with the Kusatsu Greenway, a 15-kilometer scenic trail starting from the village center, winding through rice fields, streams, and maple forests. Rest stops and drinking fountains are available along the way.

For adventure seekers, the Gunma Mountain Bike Route extends 25 km through the Kusatsu Mountains, featuring gentle inclines and short steep climbs. Finish at Kusatsu Onsen for a refreshing soak.

Local rentals offer electric-assist bikes, and guided tours provide route planning and safety tips—ideal for all skill levels.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Greenway, Gunma Mountain Bike Route, Kusatsu Onsen

Top experiences: Forest riding, eco-tourism, light trail biking, mountain vistas

Must-try dishes in Kusatsu Village include Mountain Vegetable Hot Pot (Yama-no-Konbu Nabe), made with seasonal wild greens like ferns, burdock, and enoki mushrooms, simmered in a clear broth for a delicate flavor.

Another highlight is Kusatsu Rice Balls (Onigiri), crafted from locally grown rice and filled with umeboshi, seaweed, or tuna—often served at guesthouses and restaurants.

For dessert, sample Kusatsu Honey Almond Cookies, handmade by local beekeepers using pure honey and roasted almonds—a sweet, crunchy treat perfect for souvenirs.

All ingredients are sourced from Kusatsu Farms and nearby forests, ensuring freshness and authenticity.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Mountain Vegetable Hot Pot, Kusatsu Honey Almond Cookies, Kusatsu Farms

Top experiences: Local food tasting, farm-to-table dining, artisanal baking, culinary tour

First-time visitors to Kusatsu Village should stay in the Village Center District, which offers central access to key attractions like Kusatsu Park, Kusatsu Onsen, and the Paper Umbrella Workshop. It also has convenient amenities including restaurants, convenience stores, and a tourist information center.

Recommended lodging is Kusatsu Village Inn, offering affordable rooms, free shuttle service to the train station and ski resort, and multiple room types suitable for solo travelers, families, and backpackers.

The area is safe, peaceful at night, and ideal for slow travel and immersion in rural Japanese life.

Key landmarks: Kusatsu Village Center, Kusatsu Village Inn, Kusatsu Park

Top experiences: Easy navigation, authentic village life, accessible tourism, low-stress arrival

Kusatsu Village hosts vibrant seasonal events throughout the year. In spring, the Cherry Blossom Festival lights up the park with lanterns and traditional performances. Summer brings the Kusatsu Forest Music Festival, featuring acoustic concerts in open-air venues surrounded by trees.

Autumn sees the Rice Harvest Festival, celebrating local agriculture with food tastings, vintage farming tools exhibitions, and folk dances. Winter transforms the village into a magical wonderland during the Snow Lantern Festival, where thousands of paper lanterns illuminate snowy paths, paired with skiing and onsen visits.

These events showcase community spirit and deepen cultural connection.

Key landmarks: Cherry Blossom Festival, Snow Lantern Festival, Rice Harvest Festival

Top experiences: Seasonal festivals, live music, cultural immersion, festive lighting