Three great hot springs. Manza is 10 minutes on a clear road and 15 in snow. Kusatsu is 35 over the ridge when it is open, and 50–60 via Mihara in winter. Shima is 55.
Four acts
Leave the plateau for steam, ridge, table, market
Four chapters. Pick one and the map keeps only that chapter's spots.
Stay-base plans
Use the ranch as your HQ
Shop for BBQ, soak at Manza, or walk to dinner from Manza-Kazawa — then sleep at 1,444 m. Filter the guide, then check availability.
Milky sulfur at 1,800 m. Several inns take day visitors. Some outdoor baths are mixed (混浴), so couples, families, and groups can soak together — not every inn. Hours differ: Prince reception 11:00–16:00 (last soak 15:00); Houkokukan 08:30–16:30 (last soak 15:30); Manza Kogen Hotel 11:00–18:00 (last soak 17:00). Confirm the official list before you leave.
Mixed outdoor on the official list: Manza Prince, Houkokukan, Yunohana Ryokan, Manza Kogen Hotel (7 of 8 stone-garden tubs). Nisshinkan, Juraku, and Manzatei are gender-separated. Follow each inn’s towel rules. Source: Manza Onsen official day-use list.
Valley onsen traditionally said to address "40,000 ailments" — folklore, not medical advice. Clear blue waters in a well-preserved mountain valley with historic buildings.
Check a map for the time
Kawarayu Onsen - Ouyu
Public bath (Oyu) near Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station.
Summer ridge / winter detour
Yamanouchi Onsen
Gateway to Jigokudani on the Yudanaka side. In winter, go via Shinshu-Nakano / Yudanaka.
The winter closure is in the note at the end of this page.
A ski resort with 13 public baths. In winter, come via Shinshu-Nakano.
The winter closure is in the note at the end of this page.
とうじ
湯治
湯治 nearby
1,444m · 3 onsen towns within an hour
湯Touji
湯治 is Japan's traditional long stay at a hot-spring town — unhurried, historically at the spring itself, often self-catered. This ranch does not sell it as a stay or a kit.
一廻り
A one-week stay is the old unit people still call 一廻り.
自炊 — cook your own, at your own pace
Self-catering belongs to the inn at the spring, because people stay for days. The kitchen is theirs. This ranch does not rent a touji set.
Three onsen towns, one plateau base
Kusatsu (~35 min while the Shiga–Kusatsu route is open; ~50–60 min via Mihara in winter), Manza (~10 min on clear roads, ~15 min in snow) and Shima (~55 min) are three well-known touji onsen towns — all reachable from the same quiet plateau base. See the full circuit, 泉質 and factual notes on the Attractions page.
Wild Japanese macaques in an outdoor bath. Official car access is Shinshu-Nakano IC to the free Kanbayashi lot, then about 30 minutes on foot (2 km). Also reachable from Yudanaka by bus + walk. In winter, go via Shinshu-Nakano / Yudanaka. Times vary by day, so check a map.
The Shibu Onsen forest road to Jigokudani parking is also closed in winter. The park has unpaved paths, stairs, and slopes — no wheelchairs or carts. Sources: park official access; Gunma winter closures.
Winter: studless tires or chains. The ranch to Manza town uses the Manza Highway (year-round toll, cash only). The Shiga–Kusatsu ridge (Route 292, Tenguyama Gate to Shibu Pass, 17.9 km) closes every winter — typically mid-November to late April, and the dates move with snow. Check the Gunma Prefecture road page before you go. For Jigokudani, Yamanouchi, or Shiga Kogen in winter, go via Shinshu-Nakano / Yudanaka. Sessho-gawara to Manza junction can stay restricted on volcanic alert.
