Kusatsu Town, Gunma群馬県草津町
Living in Kusatsu Town, Gunma
We have Summarized the livability of Kusatsu Town, Gunma.
AGATSUMA AREA吾妻地域
CONTENTS
- What kind of place is Kusatsu Town?
- Kusatsu TownPR video
- How is the traffic situation in Kusatsu Town?
- How are the rent and land prices in Kusatsu Town?
- How is childcare and education in Kusatsu Town?
- How about shopping in Kusatsu Town?
- How about jobs and recruitment in Kusatsu Town?
- Kusatsu Town’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
What kind of place is Kusatsu Town, Gunma?
Kusatsu Shirane Mountain Hot Spring
Kusatsu Town, one of Japan’s leading hot spring towns
Located in the northwestern part of Gunma Prefecture and part of Agatsuma District, “Kusatsu Town”.
It is bordered by Tsumagoi Village to the west, Naganohara Town to the south, Nakanojo Town to the north and east, and Yamanouchi Town in Nagano Prefecture to the north, making it a region on the border between Gunma and Nagano Prefectures.
The population is approximately 6,100 people, with about 3,900 households (as of October 2022).
Gunma Prefecture is known for its many hot springs, and Kusatsu Town is famous for ‘Kusatsu Onsen‘.
It is one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring areas, attracting tourists from across the country, especially from the Kanto region.
Known for its relatively high elevation, it is close to Nagano Prefecture and is famous for its frequent snowfall in winter.
The hot springs in this area are said to have a strong sulfuric smell, and the entire town is enveloped in this distinctive sulfur scent.
Since Kusatsu Town’s economy largely depends on tourism, it becomes crowded not only during winter and summer vacations but also on weekends.
Additionally, it is an area known for agriculture, particularly highland vegetables, which are shipped mainly to the Kanto region.
PR video of Kusatsu Town, Gunma
Working and living in Kusatsu Onsen
Workcation at Kusatsu Onsen for families
Kusatsu Onsen 8K video 8D surround sound
How is the traffic situation in Kusatsu Town?
Asama, Shirane, and Shiga Refreshing Highway
Kusatsu Town does not have a train station, but has a well-developed transportation network by car and bus.
There are no trains or train stations in Kusatsu Town.
If you want to use the train, you will need to go to the neighboring Naganohara Town and use JR Agatsuma Line’s “Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station.” Buses run from this station to Kusatsu Town, which are used not only by residents but also by tourists.
When traveling to Tokyo, it may be more convenient to take the highway bus from Kusatsu Town rather than the train.
If you live in Kusatsu Town, owning a car is essentially a necessity. In some households, it is common to own three cars.
The main roads include two sections of National Route 292: one connecting east to Nakanojo and west to Tsumagoi Village, and another connecting south from Naganohara Town to Kusatsu Town. These roads are collectively known as the “Asama-Shirane-Shiga Scenic Highway.”
There are no expressways in the area, so to use one, you would either have to drive over the mountains to Karuizawa or descend the mountain to Shibukawa to access the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
There is a well-developed bus system that provides access not only within the town but also to neighboring cities, making it very convenient for people without a car.
There is no train station, so if you want to take the train you will need to travel to a station in a nearby area.
How are the rent and land prices in Kusatsu Town?
Kusatsu Town is a tourist area that is more expensive than other areas.
As of October 2022, the average rent for apartments and condominiums in Kusatsu Town is 63,000 yen.
For 1K to 1LDK units, the average rent is around 60,000 yen, while for 2K to 2LDK units, the average rent is approximately 70,000 yen.
Although public transportation such as trains is not convenient in this area, the fact that it is a famous tourist destination makes the rent higher than in other regions.
With a budget of around 80,000 yen, you should be able to find a suitable property.
As of October 2022, the average land price in Kusatsu Town is 209,000 yen per tsubo (approximately 3.3 square meters).
Around the central Yubatake area, prices exceed 250,000 yen per tsubo, while south of National Route 292, you can find land for less than 110,000 yen per tsubo.
Since the area around Yubatake is densely packed with commercial facilities due to its tourist appeal, it may be better to look for residential properties in areas slightly farther from the center.
There are surprisingly many properties available, giving you a wide range of options when searching for a property.
Because of the Kusatsu brand, it is more expensive than other towns and villages. Because it is a car-oriented area, it is safer to have a parking lot or garage for more than two cars.
How is childcare and education in Kusatsu Town?
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort
Kusatsu Town: A town that actively supports child-rearing
In Kusatsu Town, there is one nursery school and no kindergartens. There is one elementary school and one junior high school, but no high school.
Kusatsu Town has established the ‘High School Tuition Subsidy Program‘, which provides 40,000 yen per year for up to three years for students attending high school.
Additionally, the ‘Long-Distance Commuting Subsidy Program‘ partially subsidizes commuting costs for students attending elementary and junior high schools.
Furthermore, there is a program to provide free school meals for children at nursery schools, elementary schools, and junior high schools, known as the ‘Free School Meal Program‘.
Kusatsu Town’s ‘Children’s Medical Expense Subsidy‘ covers outpatient and inpatient costs for children up to the age of 18 (until March 31 after their 18th birthday).
The ‘Single-Parent Family Medical Expense Subsidy Program’ provides partial reimbursement for medical expenses based on insurance for those raising children up to the age of 18 (until March 31 after their 18th birthday) in single-parent households.
It is an area rich in nature with wide mountain scenery and is also a hot spring tourist destination, making it a fulfilling environment for raising children that cannot be found in other areas.
There is no train station, so children will need to be picked up and dropped off by car if they are going out alone.
How about shopping in Kusatsu Town?
Roadside Station Kusatsu Sports Teahouse Park
Kusatsu Town is a convenient shopping town with supermarkets and convenience stores scattered around.
Despite being a small town, Kusatsu Town has two convenient supermarkets: ‘Super Mokubee‘ and ‘Super Otsu Kusatsu‘.
There are also several convenience stores scattered throughout the area, so you won’t have trouble purchasing food and other necessities.
As a tourist destination, there are many cafes and izakayas, making for a vibrant dining scene.
At the entrance to Kusatsu Onsen, there is a roadside station called ‘Michi-no-Eki Kusatsu Undo Chaya Park‘.
This facility offers local specialties, souvenirs, a restaurant, and a museum, catering to both tourists and many local residents.
Although it is a small town, there are many locally-owned supermarkets and independent shops, so you will never have trouble buying groceries and daily necessities.
There are no large shopping malls, so if you want to enjoy shopping for fashion or miscellaneous goods, you will need to go to a nearby area.
How about jobs and recruitment in Kusatsu Town?
Kusatsu Town: A hot spring resort town with a lot of tourism
Kusatsu Town is a hot spring town, so there are many job openings for hotel staff related to the tourism industry.
There are also supermarkets and convenience stores, so you will likely be able to find job openings for those as well.
Kusatsu Town, Gunma’s unique subsidy/subsidy system
Kusatsu Town, Gunma’s unique relocation assistance and relocation subsidy system
| Relocation support funds |
Kusatsu Town, Gunma’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system
| Wooden House Earthquake Resistance Inspection Dispatch Project Wooden House Earthquake Resistance Renovation Subsidy Project Kusatsu Town Streetscape Environmental Improvement Subsidy |
Kusatsu Town, Gunma’s unique childcare support system
| Kusatsu Town Birth Celebration Money |
