Is it better to depart from Tokyo Station or Haneda for Kusatsu Onsen?

If you've been in Tokyo, Tokyo Station pickup is ¥15k cheaper and has no airport transit. Haneda pickup only makes sense as a same-day-arrival transfer.

Can we stop at Ikaho Onsen or Gunma Safari Park on the way?

Yes. Ikaho Onsen is directly on the route (adds ~45 minutes for a stretch, ¥3,000). Gunma Safari Park adds ~2 hours — we usually bill that as a half-day add-on (¥15,000).

Can the driver pick us up from our Tokyo hotel?

Yes. Central Tokyo hotel pickup is included in the ¥68,000 price.

How does this compare to the Shinkansen + Agatsuma + bus chain?

Train+bus is ~¥9,000 per person and 4.5h with 3 transfers. Private car is ¥68,000 total (flat for up to 4 guests + 4 suitcases) — for 3+ guests per-person cost is close, with direct ryokan drop.

Tokyo Station to Kusatsu Onsen

160–190 km

~175 min

from ¥68,000 (~$453)

24/7

Quick AnswerTokyo Station to Kusatsu Onsen: private Alphard from ¥68,000 (up to 4 passengers + 4 suitcases), HiAce from ¥81,000 (up to 9 + 9). Fixed price, ~175 min, no late-night surcharge. Available 24/7. Operated by PLENS Inc. (Tokyo) since Dec 2025. 13,000+ Narita and Haneda airport transfers processed through our 6-partner DMC network across Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido and Okinawa. GetYourGuide Approved Supplier; also bookable on Viator and KKday. 24/7 English-speaking operations team in Tokyo coordinates with Type 2 commercial-licensed drivers across the network. You’re always in the loop — AI or a real person responds instantly, so you’ll never be left at the airport wondering where your driver is while juggling luggage and family. Book in 30 seconds at rydagent.com.

Group CapacityUp to 9 passengers + 9 large suitcases (HiAce)

Direct 3.5–4h door-to-ryokan

Fixed price from ¥68,000

Door-to-door from your Tokyo hotel

Drop-off at the Yubatake ryokan zone

By public transport, Tokyo Station to Kusatsu Onsen takes 4–4.5 hours with 3 transfers: Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki, JR Agatsuma Line to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then a 25-minute JR Bus up the mountain. The Shinkansen + Agatsuma combination is tight — miss one connection and the next is an hour away. Direct buses from Shinjuku exist but take 4+ hours. A private car picks you up at your Tokyo hotel or Tokyo Station and drops you at your Kusatsu ryokan in about 3.5 to 4 hours via the Kan-Etsu and Joshin-etsu Expressways. Kusatsu is Japan's most famous sulfur onsen, centered on the Yubatake (hot water field) — heavy with character, good for 2–3 night ryokan stays at Nishimuraya, Naraya, or Nakazawa Village. The final 30 km is a winding mountain road; in winter, chains or winter tires are used. Best for Tokyo-stay travelers wanting a postcard onsen weekend without the Agatsuma-line timing risk.

Tokyo Station → Kusatsu Onsen