A day out from here
Explore the Area
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.
Autumn leaves
Autumn-leaf spots
From our own larches to the famous spots around Asama and Karuizawa. Each peak is given in its source's own words.
Our larches
1,444 m, right here
From here: A walk from your tent
ColourThis year, from 27 Oct to about 10 November (the hermit's own reckoning)
SourcesSennin Kenji, 27 Oct · Map
Onioshidashi-en
On Asama's lava field
From here: About 47 min by bus (Seibu Kanko)
ColourThis year the park posted "beautifully coloured" on 13 Oct, and the trees keep turning until early November (Jomo Shimbun, 21 Oct)
SourcesOnioshidashi-en news (Karuizawa Navi) · Jomo Shimbun, Gunma autumn leaves 2026 · Map
Manza Onsen and the Manza Highway
The hot-spring town at 1,800 m
From here: About 10 min by car (about 15 on snow)
ColourThe earliest corner of the village (typically around 8 Oct, Tsumagoi tourism association). This year the town peaked on 11 Oct and the highway's colour was coming on by 17 Oct (Manza Onsen, official)
SourcesManza Onsen official, 11 Oct · Manza Onsen official, the highway, 17 Oct · Tsumagoi tourism association · Map
Kazawa Onsen and Lake Tashiro
Birch and larch at 1,400 m
From here: Check the drive on the map
ColourTypically mid-October to early November (Tsumagoi tourism association). No 2026 report found yet
SourcesTsumagoi tourism association · Map
Kumoba Pond
A pond in Karuizawa
From here: About 60 min by car to Karuizawa Station
ColourIn colour now (tenki.jp, 27 Oct). Weathernews forecasts the peak from about 30 Oct and leaf-fall from about 11 Nov. Typically mid-October to early November
Sourcestenki.jp autumn leaves · Weathernews · Map
Shiraito Falls
Karuizawa, the falls to the north
From here: Check the drive on the map
ColourTypically mid- to late October (Weathernews); Walkerplus says mid-October. No official 2026 report found
SourcesWeathernews · Walkerplus · Map
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
Reserve a stayUse Tsumagoi Work & Camp as your base
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.
Open this list
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.
Manza Onsen official day-use listManza Onsen official onsen pass (湯めぐり手形)
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.
Public bath (Oyu) near Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station.
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.
湯治 is Japan's traditional long stay at a hot-spring town — unhurried, historically at the spring itself, often self-catered. We do not sell it as a stay or a kit.
A one-week stay is the old unit people still call 一廻り.
Self-catering belongs to the inn at the spring, because people stay for days. The kitchen is theirs. We do 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.
Plan your touji stay →Staying a while? Get Manza's onsen pass
If you will soak in Manza again and again, the way a touji stay does, buy the day pass (¥1,500) first and every inn's bath gets cheaper. Not accepted at 湯の花旅館. Prices are from the official page, as of October 2026; check it before you go.
Pass rates by inn, and where to buy →
No.
A night here is a stay with us, booked on its own page at our own rates.
Touji is the long custom at the onsen town — people still talk about a week, 一廻り, spent at the spring.
Kusatsu, Manza, and Shima are where that happens.
This is a custom, not medical advice. Any wording about efficacy comes from each onsen's own spring analysis report, not from us.
Open this list
Nature
Jigokudani Monkey Park
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.
Jigokudani Yaen-Koen official accessGunma Prefecture FY2026–27 winter closures
Lava from Mt. Asama's 1783 eruption.
A waterfall over a rock face 70 m wide.
Active volcano with Yugama crater lakes. Popular hiking in summer — check volcanic alerts before you go.
Ski from December to April, then Manza Onsen.
A ski resort in Tsumagoi. Wide slopes, and less crowded. Popular with families.
A summer resort. Outlets, restaurants, and walking paths.
Nineteen linked ski areas. In winter, enter from the Nagano side (Hinosaka / Shinshu-Nakano).
The winter closure is in the note at the end of this page.
A wetland in Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park. Cottongrass in summer.
Open this list
Food
Asama Shokudo
Station-front teishoku (Google 4.2). About a 1-minute walk from Manza-Kazawa. Famous for sauce katsu-don; open late.
Local diner (Google 4.0). A few minutes’ walk from Manza-Kazawa. Known for motsuni set meals and great value.
Village Chinese & teishoku (Google 4.0). Near Manza-Kazawa. Jumbo katsu rice and gomoku ramen are favorites.
Live eel & Japanese cuisine near Manza-Kazawa. Fresh-killed unaju. Check opening days before you go.
Soba & mountain cuisine near Manza-Kazawa (Google 4.3). Seasonal wild plants and hand-cut soba.
Cafe inside Asama no Ibuki market (Google 4.6). Highland vegetable dishes and soup curry from local produce.
Wood-fired pizza in a 100-year-old Western mansion. Forest setting with local honey and craft goods.
A cafe in the woods. Hamburgers and curry. Terrace seats.
A cafe that allows pets. Omurice.
House-made craft beer and grilled food, with a view of the plateau.
Handmade buckwheat soba using local flour. Rustic mountain setting, popular with locals.
Open this list
24-hour convenience store at Kanbara 710-25. About a 2-minute walk from Manza-Kazawa Station — late snacks and staples.
Village supermarket at Nishikubo 44-1. About 20 min walk from Manza-Kazawa Station. Everyday groceries plus bulk/BBQ supplies.
Hardware & garden center at Kanbara 922-1. Charcoal, camping gear, and DIY supplies for your stay.
A butcher. Meat and sausages for a BBQ.
Tsumagoi village produce market. Fresh highland cabbage and seasonal vegetables.
Seasonal highland produce stand. Morning-picked vegetables with Mt. Asama views — check open dates before you go.
Winter: studless tires or chains. From the site to Manza town, the road is 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.
Manza Onsen official day-use listGunma Prefecture FY2026–27 winter closuresJigokudani Yaen-Koen official accessManza Onsen official onsen pass (湯めぐり手形)