2023.06.11
- Other
A list of places in Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma where you can use power and Wi-Fi
Want to power up your smartphone at Kusatsu Onsen? Looking for a cafe or space with Wi-Fi to work on your laptop? For those of you who want to do so, we’ve compiled a list of places in Kusatsu where you can use power and Wi-Fi.
We will also introduce some points to keep in mind when connecting to free Wi-Fi in tourist areas, so please take a look.
Index
Kusatsu Onsen: Spots with power outlets and Wi-Fi
Kusatsu Onsen Coworking
Business hours: 7:00-22:00
Closed: Open everyday
The only one in Kusatsu OnsenA coworking facility specializing in remote work.There are private meeting rooms and high-speed, secure Wi-Fi is available.
Mangado
Business hours: 9:30-16:00
Closed: Open everyday
This is a library (manga gallery) with over 10,000 manga books. It is located in “Urakusatsu,” a new area of Kusatsu Onsen developed in 2021, and the building has a warm wooden feel with an open atrium. The facility was built with the purpose of spending time reading manga, but power outlets and Wi-Fi are provided and can be used freely. The fee is 400 yen for 2 hours.
Kusatsu Onsen Library
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: Every Monday and the last day of the month
This library is located on the third floor of the bus terminal building, the gateway to Kusatsu Town. Once you enter through the entrance with its noren curtain, typical of a hot spring town, you will find a 400 square meter space lined with books. Only residents of Kusatsu Town or long-term residents can get a library card, but anyone can use the library freely. There are seats separated by partitions by the windows, and power outlets are available. Wi-Fi can also be connected to the bus rotary.
Recently, the center of Kusatsu is crowded with people and there are few relaxing cafes, so I use this place when I want to spend some quiet time. As you would expect from a library, it is surrounded by silence, so I can concentrate on reading and studying, which makes a lot of progress.
Yubatake Soan & Footbath Cafe
Business hours: 10:00-21:30
Closed: Open everyday
Conveniently located just 10 seconds walk from the Yubatake, you can enjoy sweets and drinks while soaking your feet in the footbath. The ceiling is decorated with beautiful Japanese umbrellas, creating a stylish interior that looks great in photos. There are power outlets at the counter seats, and Wi-Fi is also available for free. There are coin lockers right in front of the Yubatake, so you can leave your luggage and take a walk around the area.
Tatamiya’s Cafe Ippuku
Business hours: 10:00-15:30
Closed: Every Sunday
This cafe just opened in April 2023, located about a 7-minute walk from the Yubatake. As its name suggests, it is run by a tatami mat maker, and the seats are raised and the plates on which the meals and sweets are served are also made of tatami. There are outlets on each table, so if you’re tired of walking and want to take a break, you can charge your smartphone at the same time.
Inside the restaurant, there is a raised tatami room with a low table. Of course, I chose the tatami seat! There are also table seats and counter seats. I was happy to find that there was a charging outlet at the counter seat!
The pizza toast was thick and satisfying. They are open from 10am and you can charge your phone at the counter!
Morita Coffee
Business hours: 8:00-18:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
This cafe is located right next to the Onsenmon Gate, also known as the entrance to Kusatsu Onsen. The calm yet stylish interior and the deep flavor of the original blend coffee will have you thinking “I want to go back!” as soon as you visit. Wi-Fi and power outlets are available inside the store, making it the perfect place to relax over a meal or coffee.
The 2.2mm thick Napolitan pasta has the taste of a coffee shop. There is no large serving, so you have to order a double serving, but even the regular size is generous. The coffee, brewed individually by siphon, is also excellent. The acidity and aroma, which you can’t feel immediately after it is served because of the heat, become more pronounced as time passes. There are two servings, so you can enjoy it over time!
A wonderful shop with atmospheric jazz music playing in a bright and spacious interior. I’d like to stop by again when I visit Kusatsu. The cheerful owner and the honest-looking owner get along well.
Cafe ASPEN
Business hours: 11:00-18:00
Closed: Irregular holidays
It is located a 5-minute walk from the Yubatake and bus terminal, and has a parking lot, so you can easily drop in even if you are sightseeing by car. The menu is mainly Western food, and you can enjoy meals such as homemade pizza, curry, and hamburgers, as well as sweets such as cakes and parfaits, and coffee. The store has a rental space that can be used for at least an hour, and it is often used for workshops as well as sudden work.
The atmosphere of the shop staff was friendly, and the pizza was homemade, so the crust was crispy and delicious! I also had a chiffon cake, which was fluffy and delicious!
This restaurant is located a few minutes walk from the bus terminal in Kusatsu Onsen. It is a little away from tourist spots such as the Yubatake, so it is not crowded with tourists and has a relaxed atmosphere that locals tend to frequent. The price was reasonable at less than 1000 yen.
There is no power supply, but Wi-Fi is available.
Although you can’t use the power outlets freely, you can use Wi-Fi. We will introduce you to “cafes” where you can work on your laptop or relax with video materials during your free time of 1-2 hours.
Sabo Guteraize
Business hours: 9:30-16:30
Closed: Tuesdays
This cafe was created by renovating the bathhouse of the Nisshinkan building, which is said to be the oldest in Kusatsu. There is a steam vent in the ceiling, which was originally a bathhouse, and it still retains the charm of that time. “Gutereis” means “have a good trip” in German, and you can feel the warm hospitality that is shown to customers who stop by. If you ask the staff, they will tell you about Wi-Fi.
They carefully brew each cup of coffee after receiving your order. The tables and seats are spaced far apart, making it comfortable.
Although it is located right in front of the bustling Yubatake, time passes slowly inside the cafe, making it a relaxing and favorite cafe.
Jizo Cafe Moon’s Face
Business hours: 8:30-17:00
Closed: Open everyday
This cafe opened in 2021 in the Jizo area of Kusatsu Onsen, also known as “Ura Kusatsu.” The interior is wood-toned and Wi-Fi is available, making it a great place for those who want to relax in a calm atmosphere. Dogs are also welcome to bring their pets to the terrace seats. There are foot baths, a manga library, and a stone craft experience facility nearby, so you won’t get bored even if you spend the whole day here.
This is a cafe where you can relax. It’s the perfect place to come when you’re tired from visiting the baths. In addition to the table seats inside the cafe, there are tables with parasols in the large garden where you can relax while looking at the greenery.
The wooden interior of the restaurant has high ceilings and plenty of windows, so even though it’s small, it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. This quiet restaurant is recommended for those who are put off by the hustle and bustle around the Yubatake hot springs.
Neue Post Dining
Business hours: 11:00-15:00 / 16:00-19:00
Closed: Every Thursday and other irregular holidays
Located along the road from the Yubatake to Sainokawara Park, this cafe is a great place to relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the tourist area. They offer a wide range of menu items, including their signature curry, which is carefully made with time and care, as well as sausage platters and seasonal specials, making this a great place to come for a meal or a drink.
I’m happy with the wonderful hospitality from the wife and the delicious food. It’s on the Nishinokawara street, but it’s on the second floor so it’s like a hidden gem. I’ll go again.
I was so impressed with the food on the first night that I went back for lunch on the second day. The manager and the waitress were very nice, and their kindness was apparent in the food! Everything was homemade, and it was so good that I want to come back to Kusatsu just for this food!
Kusatsu Onsen Tourist Association Information Center
Business hours: 8:30-18:00
Closing days: Open everyday
The information center on the first floor of the bus terminal has Wi-Fi, so it’s a great place to look up directions and facilities after you’ve arrived, or to kill time before you depart. The staff will be happy to give you detailed information on how to get to your accommodation, directions, and recommended spots. They also have pamphlets in multiple languages and sell original goods, so be sure to stop by when you visit Kusatsu.
It is located inside the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal next to the Kusatsu Town Hall. It has tourist brochures and free papers, so it’s a good idea to stop by at the beginning of your trip. You might even be able to get coupons and discount tickets.
There are various brochures and you can get all the information about Kusatsu here. It is a very useful place because it is a must-visit place for those who do not take the direct bus to the hotel.
[Caution!] There is power and Wi-Fi, but… you can’t use it?!
Smartphones are in full use at tourist spots. We take photos and videos as souvenirs, and use map apps, but doing so consumes the battery faster.
The feeling of anxiety when the battery starts to run low…
It’s a shame to miss out on enjoying your travel experience because you think, “I’ll stop using my camera because the battery won’t last,” or “I’ll stop looking things up on the Internet.”
It would be the worst if you came all the way to sightsee only to have your smartphone battery die in the middle of the day. Smartphones are essential for looking up tourist information, and they can be inconvenient in many ways.
Also, there are surprisingly many situations where you have to search for a place where you can use Wi-Fi because you want to download a video or have a sudden work video conference. To avoid these problems at tourist spots, it is reassuring to know in advance where there are power outlets and Wi-Fi.
In urban areas, there are now more places where you can easily access Wi-Fi and power when you need it. Coworking spaces have expanded rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to work remotely, and they have popped up everywhere, to the point that it’s difficult to find an area without one. They have become familiar work spots.
In urban areas, problems like “no power” and “no Wi-Fi” are becoming less common.
However, things are a little different in tourist areas. When you try to find a power source or Wi-Fi in a tourist spot, you might find it hard to find a place that will lend you one, and you might find yourself in a difficult situation.
As we’ve introduced, Kusatsu Onsen has many spots where you can use power outlets and Wi-Fi, but there’s one thing you need to be careful of: they’re all crowded, so you never know if you’ll be able to use them.
Kusatsu Onsen has become too crowded with tourists.
Kusatsu Onsen has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is a popular tourist destination. It is said to be a “tourist destination with no off-season,” and is always overflowing with people regardless of the season or day of the week.
On the other hand, Kusatsu Onsen has a limited amount of land, with many inns and restaurants packed into it, and the capacity to accommodate tourists is not that great. Naturally, cafes and libraries are also crowded. As a result, we often hear people say things like, “I couldn’t find a seat with a power outlet,” or “I was able to connect to Wi-Fi, but there were so many people that I couldn’t relax.”
In the city center, you can easily work remotely by going to a cafe, but it is difficult to do so in regional tourist cities. If you want to use power and Wi-Fi in Kusatsu Town, please visit Kusatsu Onsen Coworking.
It is a 3-minute walk from the center of the Yubatake, and all seats are equipped with power outlets. Compared to cafes, you can avoid crowds and relax. The Wi-Fi is also fast for remote work. Online meetings will not be interrupted.
Are WiFi hotspots dangerous?
When you visit Kusatsu Onsen, you will likely use your smartphone or computer to look up tourist spots, share photos and videos with friends, etc. Sometimes you may suddenly have to take part in a work-related event, and you may need to hold a quick online meeting while on vacation.
However, there may be hidden dangers in Wi-Fi that can be used for free when you are out and about. Many free Wi-Fi networks have low security, and as soon as you connect to them, your social media accounts may be hijacked or your personal information, such as your credit card information, may be stolen. Because it is so easy to use, the risks are high.
This isn’t just limited to Kusatsu Onsen, but whenever you use free Wi-Fi while out and about, be sure to keep the following points in mind.
- Do not connect to unencrypted Wi-Fi (without a lock symbol)
- Turn off the “Auto-connect Wi-Fi” function on your smartphone and connect only when necessary.
- When connecting to free Wi-Fi, only access encrypted sites (starting with [https://])
- When connecting to free Wi-Fi, do not enter personal information such as credit card details.
Free Wi-Fi is very convenient as long as you take proper precautions when using it. If you’re still worried, we recommend using pocket Wi-Fi.
summary
Recently, the number of places where you can use free Wi-Fi has increased in Tokyo and other urban areas and downtown areas in Japan. Coupled with inbound demand for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, many people may feel that the number of places where you can use free Wi-Fi has increased, such as airports, train stations, restaurants, and parks.
However, it is said that the Wi-Fi environment in Japan is quite inadequate. In particular, free Wi-Fi has yet to be installed in tourist areas such as Kusatsu Onsen. On the other hand, overseas, it is said to be the norm for public institutions, transportation, hotels, restaurants, and other places to have free high-speed Wi-Fi. There is no need to register as a member to use it, so anyone can easily use Wi-Fi at any time.
However, we expect to see an increase in tourist destinations setting up free Wi-Fi in the future as a way to attract inbound tourists. We can expect to see an increase in free Wi-Fi that is more easily accessible at Kusatsu Onsen as well.
This page lists spots in Kusatsu Onsen where you can use power outlets and Wi-Fi.
If you’d like to use power outlets and Wi-Fi in Kusatsu Onsen, be sure to check out the spots introduced on this page.
