Kusatsu Onsen Trips Get Even Better! 7 Special Experiences in the Yamba Dam Area

There are two ways to get from Kusatsu Onsen to Yamba Dam.
The first is a route using a scheduled route bus operated by JR Bus Kanto.
Route buses run at roughly one bus per hour, traveling from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station.
From Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, take the Yamba Gururin loop bus or a taxi to Yamba Dam.

The second is to use the Yamba Gururin loop bus from Kusatsu.
The first service bound for the dam departs from Kusatsu Now Resort Hotel, stops at Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, then heads to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station and various bus stops in the Yamba area.
The last service runs the reverse route and operates to Kusatsu Onsen.
Only one bus per direction extends the route to Kusatsu, but it can be a very convenient option if the timing works.

From the Tokyo area, you can access Yamba Dam by rail or highway bus. Choose the easiest route based on your itinerary and the loop bus timetable.

Let’s tour the sparkling blue waters of Lake Yamba-Agatsuma on the colorful red-and-white amphibious bus called Yamba Nyagaten-go.
Departing from Yamba Mizunoeiki Maruiwa, the bus drives along the lakeside road with views of the great nature of the Yamba area, and there is also guiding narration by Tengu no Ten-chan, featured on the Yamba Nyagaten-go design.
As the bus approaches the water, it is finally time for the highlight, the splash-in.
The amphibious bus charges down a dedicated ramp straight into the water, sending up an intense burst of spray.
While cruising leisurely on the lake, take in the spectacular views of Yamba Dam and the surrounding mountains as seen from the water.
Before or after the tour, enjoy gourmet options such as dam curry and sweets at Yamba Mizunoeiki Maruiwa. There are also services that depart from and arrive at the bus stop Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station Side <Dts Headquarters>, so choose what fits your travel itinerary.

Running downstream from Yamba Dam, “Agatsumakyo Gorge Rail Bike Agattan” is a pedal-powered rail trolley attraction that travels along a section of the former JR Agatsuma Line track bed, partly rerouted due to dam construction.
With the clatter of the rail joints-gattan, gattan-you proceed along a one-way track of about 2.4 km laid on the north side of Agatsumakyo Gorge, a nationally designated scenic spot.
Along the way, you will encounter Tarusawa Tunnel, once known as Japan’s shortest railway tunnel, small rail crossings, and a series of peaceful landscapes woven by the gorge’s nature and rural scenery.
Highlights include sections looking down into the gorge and the illuminated interior of the tunnel.
The route continues from below Yamba Dam to the opposite bank of Agatsumakyo Roadside Station, so it is also recommended to combine it with hiking in Agatsumakyo Gorge.

Of the three bridges spanning Lake Yamba-Agatsuma, the 494 m-long Yamba Ohashi Bridge is the closest to the dam.
In a wide-open location with sweeping views of the dam body and surrounding mountain ridgelines, you can experience bungee jumping.
Dive in a straight line from a jump platform about 45 m high toward the emerald-green lake surface.
Another attraction is the chance to try styles not found at other sites, such as Water Touch, where you can touch the water, Tandem Jump, where two people jump at the same time, and Wheelchair Bungee, which wheelchair users can also experience.
In 2026, it is scheduled to be held in July, when the lake water level is lower. Make a refreshing dive toward the vivid lake under the summer sky.

On Lake Yamba-Agatsuma, canoe and kayak tours are offered, including Canadian canoes that allow children to ride in the same craft.
Let’s take a waterside stroll on the calm lake surface, which changes its expression depending on the season and water level.
On either tour, you can look up at Fudo Falls from the lake surface or paddle out into forest scenery that feels like a jungle.
Because courses are guided according to the day’s weather and conditions as well as participants’ skill levels, beginners can join with confidence.

Viewable from Fudo Ohashi Bridge, Fudo Falls is a graceful waterfall that drops about 90 m into the lake. The water volume is not especially large throughout the year, and a thin white waterfall runs down the black cliff of Fudozawa. In addition to being visible straight ahead from a viewpoint on the bridge, you can also go close to the waterfall from the lake surface via the canoe and kayak tours and SUP mentioned above.
In the depths of winter, the frozen waterfall shines like a three-tiered blue-white ice object. This magnificent icefall has become a new seasonal tradition of the Yamba area from January to February.

Spreading downstream from Yamba Dam, Agatsumakyo Gorge is a V-shaped canyon, a nationally designated scenic spot, carved over many years as the Agatsuma River cut through lava from volcanic eruptions.
From the open area beyond the dam body elevator, a fantastic landscape continues along the river for about 2.5 km to “Fureai Ohashi,” with cliffs and strange rock formations lining both sides and a cobalt-blue flow sparkling below.
Highlights include “Haccho Kuragari,” where at the narrowest point the river is about 3 m wide and about 50 m deep, and “Shikatobi Bridge,” where a vermilion arch stands out against the gorge’s greenery.
With the dam behind you, a well-maintained promenade continues along the left bank, while an unpaved hiking course continues along the right bank to Shikatobi Bridge, and from either side you can enjoy superb views looking down into the gorge.
Walking one way from Yamba Dam to Fureai Ohashi takes about one hour, and if you use Yamba Dam as your base, it is also recommended to turn back at Shikatobi Bridge and return.
If you walk all the way to Fureai Ohashi, you can return to Yamba Dam by the rail bike Agattan, or you can keep walking to Agatsumakyo Roadside Station and soothe your fatigue at a day-use hot spring.

Mid to late April, when mitsuba-tsutsuji azaleas color the area, May with dazzling fresh greenery, and late October to early November, when autumn leaves deepen in color, are the times when Agatsumakyo Gorge is at its most beautiful.
Maples, kunugi oaks, and red pines color both sides of the gorge, and on the promenade and at Shikatobi Bridge you can enjoy tunnels of fresh greenery or autumn leaves.

Located downstream from Yamba Dam, Agatsumakyo Roadside Station is the gateway to Agatsumakyo Gorge, a nationally designated scenic spot.
On its spacious grounds, it includes the day-use hot spring Agatsumakyo Onsen Tengu no Yu, a farmers’ market, places to eat, a natural-grass dog run, and Agatsuma Fureai Park, making it a great place to spend time at a relaxed pace.
This is a roadside station with a ninja theme, rare even nationwide.
Starting with the frozen sweet “Hyorogan Kuzu Bar,” which is fun for its chewy and lightly crunchy texture, it is packed with ninja-motif foods, goods, and more.
On weekends, ninja experience events are held with the theme of the Sanada ninja who were active during the Sengoku period with bases in Shinano Province and Kozuke Province.
Especially popular is the shuriken throwing experience with prizes.
This is a unique roadside station where you can feel the world of the Agatsuma Sanada ninja through play and sweets.

Twelve minutes from Yamba Dam by the Yamba Gururin loop bus, “Yamba Furusato-kan Roadside Station” sits at the base of Fudo Ohashi Bridge.
It is a popular roadside station visited not only by tourists but also by locals seeking freshly harvested vegetables.
At “Yamba Shokudo” inside the facility, you can casually enjoy local curry and regional dishes while looking out at the lake through the windows.
Starting with the specialty “Yamba Dam Curry,” there is a lineup of menus that make use of local ingredients and Yamba character, including Gunma’s sauce hirekatsu-don (rice bowl), Yamba Otsumi Dango, udon, and soba.

The signature menu here is “Yamba Dam Curry.”
It is a dish served with roux and rice on a custom partitioned plate modeled after the dam.
There are two types, a spicy version with locally grown maitake mushrooms and a mild version packed with chunky vegetables, and when you order, you also receive an original dam card available only here.

Eight minutes from Yamba Dam by the Yamba Gururin loop bus, and just a one-minute walk from JR Kawarayu-Onsen Station, Kawarayu Onsen Asobi no Kichi NOA is a multi-purpose outdoor tourism facility in a great location.
On weekends, you can enjoy bring-your-own camping and day-use BBQ, and it also includes the free-flowing hot spring Sasayu and a cafe using milk from local Toyota Dairy, making it a place to spend time while looking out at the lake.

Kawarayu Onsen Jozo-sha inside the facility is a small craft beer brewery.
You can enjoy craft beer unique to Kawarayu, brewed with local water and bottled with the yeast sealed inside, and you can savor it at Sasayu Cafe or at the campsite.
You can also view the brewery through glass and buy bottled beer as a souvenir.

Twenty minutes from Yamba Dam by the Yamba Gururin loop bus, Yamba Mizunoeiki Maruiwa is located at the base of Maruiwa Ohashi Bridge.
From its retro building that recreates the former Naganohara town hall, you can take in sweeping views of the lake and the grand surrounding nature.
Inside, there is a dining hall, cafe, and shop, and it is also used as the departure and arrival point for the amphibious bus.
The dining hall’s signature menu is “Maruiwa Curry,” a hamburger steak curry inspired by Maruiwa, the symbol of Naganohara-machi.
At the scenic Maruiwa Cafe, which opened in July 2025, you can enjoy “Imonblanc Soft,” made generously with the sweet potato Silk Sweet from Tommy Farm.
With rich, milky soft-serve topped with plenty of smooth sweet potato paste, this original sweet is perfect to enjoy while looking out at the lake.

Held every year on January 20, the Yukake Festival at Kawarayu Onsen is a naked festival in which young men wearing fundoshi loincloths splash each other with hot spring water on the coldest day of the year, giving thanks to the hot spring deity.
The water-splashing at dawn, carried out in the bitter cold amid rising steam, is truly impressive.
It is considered one of Japan’s unusual festivals.
The Yukake Festival begins at Oyu, the public bath, with Shinto rites at 5:00 am.
After a ceremony praying in gratitude to the hot spring deity and for health, safety, and well-being, young men in red-and-white headbands and fundoshi begin splashing hot water all at once.
Wrapped in steam, with spirited shouts as hot water flies through the air, the dynamic scene is well worth seeing.
Watching is free.
Photography is allowed, so be considerate of etiquette when taking pictures.
Because the festival starts just after 5:00 am, it is best to stay in Kawarayu Onsen the night before.
Because it is below freezing, do not forget warm clothing and cold-weather protection.

In September, a stair climbing event is held at Yamba Dam, about 116 m high and now a symbol of Naganohara-machi, Gunma.
The huge dam body’s emergency staircase is specially opened, and it becomes a time-trial race in which you sprint up the dam stairs in one burst, with the stair section measuring 79 m and 316 steps within the 116 m height.
Because participation is set by level according to your preference at entry, even lower elementary school students can join.
There are a Single Attack, a one-run format, and a Double Attack, in which you compete on the combined time of two runs, and entry opens from late May on the official website with a first-come limit of 250 participants.
Check the official website for participation fees, cautions, and competition rules.
Elite athletes’ races are also held at the same time, and you can watch top-level performances in Japan.
Because it is a large event, if you hope to stay overnight, book accommodations early.
Do not forget to get your body used to it with training in advance.

Inspired by “8 (ya) 8 (ba),” this is a local event day held around August 8 each year.
“Marutto Yamba Festival” is held with Yamba Dam, the lake area, and roadside stations as venues.

In Kita-Karuizawa near the border with Nagano Prefecture, this is a winter tradition where candles light up the snowfield.
About 2,000 candles are lined up across a pure white snowfield, wrapping the entire venue in a fantastical glow.
In addition to candle art where patterns emerge as the night deepens, winter fireworks launched into the freezing sky are also a highlight.
Food trucks line the venue, and it is also nice to enjoy warm food while sitting by a bonfire.