Kusatsu and the Jigokudani Monkey Park (Yamanouchi) are only 46 kilometers away by road, but Google Maps only suggests taking the Shinkansen all around the Kagonotoyama mountain, taking 4.5 hours and 7000 JPY.
Is there a faster way to go, and maybe less expensive?
It is in February, and I am not sure whether the direct route between the two (in yellow on the map) is open.