08/04/2023
Yubatake in Gunma
We should had travel from Kanazawa to Gunma which make more sense when you look at the map. However, I found out that it was probably faster with bullet train from Tokyo while Kanazawa had only buses and slower train routes.
We left Mustard Hotel leaving our luggage with them.
Kitazawa was such a nice place to stay.
I had a overnight bag and a paper bag of breakfast which we intended to eat on the way.
No lift/elevator nearby, so I died my way up this flight in the station.
Miscommunication here, I wanted 3pcs of croissants, ended up having 3 sets (total 15pcs I think lolxx...)
Receipt for 3 train tix, it's such a wallet killer.
Saw "kissing" trains.
We had more than enough to eat, breakfast from Mustard Hotel and numerous croissants haahaahaa....
Entered in Gunma, changed train at Takasaki Station.
The New Balance bought at Odaiba was really good, Shirokuma was comfortable.
First time seeing double deck train.
We waited for the wrong train, wasted more than 1.5hrs.
I would prefer an express train but ended up in a normal train which took about an hour longer to reach Kusatsu. The ride turned out to be very picturesque, almost like Switzerland with alps as backrope.
After a few stops, we almost had the whole to ourselves.
Just look at the scenery, it was very unreal.
Reached Kusatsu station.
I had checked the weather here, I thought we wore enough, I had no idea that the Yubake was located uphill, I had no idea that there's a temperature dip...
Bus ride to Yubatake onsen water field was about an hour. When we alighted, it snowed lightly and we knew we were doomed.
Our boutique onsen hotel, Oyado Yukizumi, was behind this absolutely beautiful Lawson.
Entrance at the side lane.
Nice cozy little place, lobby area was like a family living room.
Luckily Japan is a safe place, I forgotten to lock my door many times, no auto lock.
My sons' room, they were very happy.
S$222/night (breakfast included). And that's the cheapest I could find with it's location right next to the bus terminal and Yubatake was like 3mins walk away.
This was my room, really nice, wished we could stay 2 nights instead of one.
S$109/night (breakfast included).
Shortly after we checked in, they send in a puff and green tea, so sweet of them, appreciated the welcome refreshment so much.
Faux flora arrangement at the entrance.
Full size toiletries in the bathroom.
If there one thing I must find fault with, it will be the lack of elevator. Would recommend this hotel to travellers on budget without sacrificing comfort.
Faux flora decor at the lobby area.
Our clothes were good for above 10 degrees only...
I wore EVERYTHING I had. I wore my PJ over the blue outfit, then the yukata provided by the hotel plus the Haori (jacket over yukata). Still felt the chill but better than nothing.
The place was so beautiful.
Smell of sulphur became stronger as we walked...
Shop houses were so cute to look at.
The enormous gush of joy swept my soul when I saw the Yubatake before my eyes. It's real! The steam, the sulphur, it's real.
Took hundreds of photos at every single angle lolxx...
Should had taken more pics of manholes.
Despite of the cold, I wished time could stop.
Mochi camp fire.
We waited for this restaurant to open.
The place was cramped and old, oil stains here and there, the only server was a grumpy elderly lady.
All of the above was not important any more when the beef came...
.
.
.
.
Looked at the marbling!!!
Charcoal BBQ.
This was a lot a lot better than the Kobe beef at one third of the price.
Highly recommended for those who can forgo ambience and concentrate on good food. But again this is not a popular destination for Singaporeans.
After dinner was indoor shopping to hide from the cold outside.
Crazy cute funny dead span face but too ex...
Funny underwear.
Control...
I bought this "ghost" noodle, tasted better and more expensive than Ichiran.
Bought pudding also.
Bought braised eggs, nothing special.
Stepped out again, braved the freeze to take night view of Yubatake, else how to justify our trip all the way here.
Most people are so stuck with Kyoto/Osaka/Tokyo, missing out many incredible places like this...
It's very magical when the sky became dark, the steam was more obvious. I had to say they were very very clever with the night lights, the night view was to die for.
I feel like crying looking at these pics T____T ..... too beautiful in real...
I couldn't believe this weather at mid Apr.
The next day, Kusatsu snowed.
