Scorching sun overhead and we set our gear to reach the natural hot spring town.
A travel by road and he is all set to drive us out from normal day to a unplanned surprises of nature.
Travel by any means in Japan is quite convenient and much of relax. The ease of driving, resting when tired and washroom to use are must much to be appreciated for their maintenance.
Well, we started from home with our bags packed along with our energy to hold this summer trip. Taking the express toll road from Okegawa-Kitamoto and exiting at Shibukawa-Ikaho IC we had a smooth drive covering almost 100km of ride.
As we drive through, we made a brief stop to experience the beauty of Gunma Prefecture’s and northern Kanto region’s major river Agatsuma. The scenic view we paused for was Agatsuma River flowing under Fudoo Bridge.
There is Yamba Market parking area which gives you option to rest for a while, have food, ice creams and get a view of bridge and river. A relaxing and scenic spot of we engulfed after a drive of 140km from home. Grabbing most delicious and most favorite dessert of Japan – CREMIA, we took off.
After a refreshing stopover, refilled our energy we started back.
Around 15km from Yamba Market, you will experience the creative musical road Kusatsu Bushi which plays the “Spirited Away” soundtrack. That was a quick surprise and I would recommended anyone taking Nation Route 292, Asama Shirane Shiga Sawayaka Highway to mark this location and enjoy the feel.
It took almost 10 mins from the Kusatsu Bashi musical road to reach Kusatsu town.
We could manage to get a car parking from where we had a walk of almost 10 more minutes to the Yubatake Onsen. The Yukitaki street walk towards the Yubatake Onsen, has its own Edo style buildings, Japanese authentic street foods, Onsens and Foot Baths.
I was much skeptical to go to Kusatsu during summer. But the place had just given me goosebumps. The natural hot spring flowing through the well-designed trail of wood at Yubatake was a heart filling scene. It was a hot summer afternoon with clouds overhead we reached, and the nature seems to have blessed us with an escape from scorching rays of sun. It had this onsen water essence all throughout and the summer did not get so hard around it.
We also got to soak our legs in the Foot onsen (足湯). All the tiredness of body and mind seems vanishing when soaked in. Most soothing one in the trip.
KUSATSU has a beautiful authentic blend of Japan’s rich heritage and culture. Unique fragrance, it’s silence in flowing water and calmness of wind gets you pulled out and taken away to most peaceful state of mind and body.
Make sure to grab one while in town.