Right Onsen › Gunma › Kusatsu
Shirahata Hot Spring
4.5★ · 788 Google ratings · Kusatsu, Gunma · 白旗乃湯（白旗源泉共同浴場）
✓ Natural hot-spring water✓ Free-flowing source water
Before you go
Can you bathe here?
Day visitors
✓ YesOpen to tourists as well as locals, provided visitors follow the communal-bath etiquette rules.stated by 3 visitors · Aug 2026
Hours
05:00–23:00from the facility listing
Price
FreeThis is a free public bath; numerous reviewers mention there is no entry fee.stated by 5 visitors · Jun 2026 – Aug 2026
Bathing arrangement
Men and women separateMen's and women's sides are separate, each with its own two tubs of differing temperature.stated by 2 visitors · May 2026 – Aug 2026
Tattoos
Not known · call aheadno policy stated in the 44 recent reviews we read or on the facility's website
Watch out
Source temperature
Source temperature is reported inconsistently across reviews, from 45-48C in most accounts up to 52-53C in a couple of others; a detailed spring-analysis-style review gives 46C.
stated by 4 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026Bath temperature
The two tubs run extremely hot, roughly 45-52C depending on which tub and time of day; multiple reviewers warn of real burn risk.
stated by 3 visitors · May 2026Lockers
No valuables lockers exist on site; reviewers advise bringing minimal belongings.
stated by 2 visitors · Mar 2026 – Jul 2026The bath
What you’ll find
A free, historic communal bathhouse right at Kusatsu's Yubatake, fed straight from an undiluted 46-52C acidic sulfur spring that is genuinely dangerous to enter without careful acclimation.
The water
Free-flowing (kakenagashi)
✓ YesWater runs straight from the source with no washing stations, kakenagashi style.stated by 2 visitors · May 2026 – Aug 2026
Spring type
Acidic sulfur-aluminum-sulfate-chloride (hydrogen sulfide type)One detailed review gives the full mineral classification of the Shirahata source.stated by 1 visitor · Mar 2026
Source temperature
46°CSource temperature is reported inconsistently across reviews, from 45-48C in most accounts up to 52-53C in a couple of others; a detailed spring-analysis-style review gives 46C.stated by 4 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026
Bath temperature
47°CThe two tubs run extremely hot, roughly 45-52C depending on which tub and time of day; multiple reviewers warn of real burn risk.stated by 3 visitors · May 2026
Practical
What to bring
Towels
Bring your ownNo towels are supplied; reviewers say to bring your own.stated by 3 visitors · May 2026 – Aug 2026
Soap & shampoo
Not provided — bring your ownNo soap or shampoo is provided, and using your own detergents is against the rules of this source-water bath.stated by 3 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026
Lockers
NoneNo valuables lockers exist on site; reviewers advise bringing minimal belongings.stated by 2 visitors · Mar 2026 – Jul 2026
Guide
What visitors add
The water
The water is extremely hot, straight from the Shirahata source; reviewer temperature figures range 45-53 C (one cites 52 C source as-is, one measured tubs at 47 and 52 C, one cites 45-48 C, one cites 46 C, one cites ~48 C for the clear tub). Well over ten reviews describe it as very hot, several unable to do more than pour water over themselves.
stated by 20 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026Price
Admission is free. At least eight distinct reviews (Mar-Aug 2026) state the bath costs nothing.
stated by 8 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026Day-use visits
Open to tourists as a walk-in bath from 5:00 to 23:00; at least five reviews cite the 5:00 opening and/or 23:00 closing. Cleaning window conflicts: two reviewers report morning cleaning around 5:30-6:30 (one was asked to leave at 5:30), one reviewer reports cleaning 5:30-6:30 in the evening.
stated by 6 visitors · Mar 2026 – Jul 2026The water
There are two tubs at different temperatures; at least five reviews describe a milky-white tub and a clear tub, with the clear one hotter (several reviewers could only manage seconds in it).
stated by 6 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026Towels, soap & lockers
No lockers or secure storage: at least four reviews report there is no valuables locker, the changing area is open shelving without locks, and belongings should be left at your lodging or car. Bring your own towel (three reviews advise this).
stated by 5 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026Towels, soap & lockers
Soap and shampoo cannot be used and there are no washing stations - bathing only; at least four reviews state soap/shampoo is not usable or that nothing is provided.
stated by 5 visitors · Mar 2026 – Aug 2026Timing
When to go
Quietest Monday around 5:00; busiest Monday around 11:00. Measured by Google over past visits, not a forecast.
| 8A | 9A | 10A | 11A | 12P | 13P | 14P | 15P | 16P | 17P | 18P | 19P | 20P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MO | |||||||||||||
| TU | |||||||||||||
| WE | |||||||||||||
| TH | |||||||||||||
| FR | |||||||||||||
| SA | |||||||||||||
| SU |
Quiet Busy
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 05:00–23:00 |
| Tuesday | 05:00–23:00 |
| Wednesday | 05:00–23:00 |
| Thursday | 05:00–23:00 |
| Friday | 05:00–23:00 |
| Saturday | 05:00–23:00 |
| Sunday | 05:00–23:00 |
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 417-1 Kusatsu, Agatsuma District, Gunma 377-1711
🚃 Haneo station, 8.1 km
📞 +81279-88-7182
📋 Show at the counter: 白旗乃湯（白旗源泉共同浴場）
Nearby
Other baths close by
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