Around Mt. Yokote × Accommodation With Relaxing Welcome LoungeHighly rated facilities at Hotel·Ryokan

After seeing photos, I had long wanted to visit this Accommodation at least once, and this was my first stay. The real view was even more magnificent than the photos; while enjoying matcha in the lobby, the full glass wall opened up, removing any obstruction from sight, and I was deeply moved by the sensation of being completely filled with the lush green valley right before my eyes. Although the weather that day was unfortunately poor—perhaps due to a typhoon—the drifting rain mist added atmosphere like a sea of clouds, creating a truly ethereal world. Perhaps thanks to traditions passed down over many years, the hospitality was exceptionally polished; from being escorted to and briefed on our Room at check-in to every aspect of dining service, it was flawless with nothing to criticize. While traditional in spirit, the Facility is kept impeccably clean in a modern style (every faucet in both the Room and bath areas gleamed so much that it felt beyond mere cleanliness—I could almost sense the staff’s dedication), and we enjoyed every dish while also appreciating the presentation of their signature specialties. This is purely my personal impression, but it reminded me of a well-known culinary Ryokan in Yugawara (back before it was acquired by Hokkaido-based capital), and it has been a long time since I felt so strongly that I had found an outstanding “traditional Japanese Ryokan” with all three elements—service, cuisine, and location (including Facilities and Onsen)—perfectly aligned. It soothed both body and mind. Wanting to see snowy scenery through those windows, I went ahead and made a Reservation for December as well. With global warming reducing snowfall these days, there may not be much snow yet in December… (laugh). The only reason my rating for “Onsen / Baths” is 4 out of 5 is simply my small wish that the open-air bath were a bit larger.

Thank you for the wonderful service—it made our stay truly exceptional. First, I accidentally made a Reservation with the wrong gender, but you quickly brought us yukata in different sizes, which was very helpful. With fewer guests staying, the attentive, personalized service really stood out. We also enjoyed the complimentary pudding—it was delicious. The Onsen was available at night as well, so we could relax and take our time. The bed felt a bit firm and slightly uncomfortable to sleep on, but other than that we had no complaints at all. Also, it was pouring rain at checkout, and you kindly handed us towels—this helped us so much. We truly appreciated your thoughtful attention to detail. We would love to stay here again when we visit Kusatsu.

The in-Room bath was great, and we also loved the four private baths available 24 hours a day with no Reservation required. The skincare lotion in the Room was Sekkisei, and for dinner we could choose rice or cheese. Even though we were full, the matsutake mushroom rice was so delicious that we finished it. In the evening, we were able to take the Shuttle Service bus to see the illuminated Yubatake. It was our first time in Kusatsu, and we truly enjoyed our stay. We would definitely like to stay again. Thank you very much.

This is a perfect Ryokan with meticulous attention to every detail. The building is beautifully maintained, and the finishes and Facilities feel refined. The Onsen is excellent, and the amenities are well stocked. The meals are delicious, served on beautiful tableware, and satisfy both taste and presentation. Drink prices are reasonable as well. The location is close to Yubatake, making it easy to enjoy a stroll around the area. I would definitely like to stay here again. Thank you very much.

I stayed in a newly renovated Room, and it was wonderful. The in-room perks were excellent. In particular, the all-you-can-eat gelato was an incredibly generous service—perfect after the Onsen—and I enjoyed trying many different flavors. Everything was delicious. The pre-dinner aperitif can be chosen from the menu, and the lounge coffee machine is truly high-quality, so I used it many times. Both the quality and quantity of the meals were very satisfying, and what impressed me most was the staff. There were many young team members, but everyone’s hospitality was outstanding. Some staff members spent a long time chatting with elderly guests because they were approached for conversation, yet they responded without showing any displeasure at all—I was genuinely impressed. You can also enjoy two different types of Onsen water, and I think this Accommodation offers excellent value for money. I will definitely return again. Thank you very much for taking such great care of me.

From the moment I was picked up, the staff made a great impression, and as soon as I stepped into the Hotel, I was soothed by a wonderful aroma scent. I was shown to a private Room to check in. The Room had a simple design and was very comfortable to stay in. I also enjoyed choosing my favorite scent with the aroma diffuser in the Room. This time I joined the 1-night, 2-day fasting course. Since it wasn’t a water-only fast, I had carrot juice, homemade umeboshi (pickled plum), bancha tea, and more for dinner and again the next morning. After checkout, they treated me to rice porridge, miso soup, handmade umeboshi, hana ingen beans (runner beans), and bancha tea—everything was very satisfying. Personally, the hana ingen beans slowly simmered over two days with beet sugar were so delicious that I couldn’t help asking if they were available for purchase. After check-in, I also received a brown-rice onigiri with umeboshi, which I enjoyed on my long-distance bus ride home. There is no TV in the Room, but Wi‑Fi is available so you can use your smartphone. However, since it was such a good opportunity, I tried not to use my phone during my stay as much as possible. Time flew by as I read health magazines in the lounge with herbal tea in hand; opened the window in my guest room to read my own book while listening to birdsong; and reviewed personal finances that had been put off due to everyday busyness. From the Onsen bath area in the morning, you can see Mt. Asama—the view was truly wonderful. If there’s one thing to mention: since exercise is part of my routine personally, having showers in every Room would have made it even more comfortable by allowing me to rinse off quickly after working out. Other than that minor point, everything exceeded expectations—the staff were lovely throughout—and it was a stay I would definitely like to repeat.

It was a trip for two women, and we were able to relax, and the food was delicious. We both ended up like little piggies (oh—meant as a compliment!). We’d love to visit again when we get the chance.

This was our first stay here on a trip with four friends. The Room, the meals, and above all the service from all staff were outstanding. Every staff member was courteous and kind, and we truly felt first-class hospitality—worthy of a five-star Accommodation. Thanks to you, we were able to relax throughout our stay and enjoy a special time. The clean and comfortable Room, the wide variety of delicious and thoughtfully prepared buffet dishes, and the wonderful Onsen—all exceeded our expectations. Everyone in our group was very satisfied with this trip. When we visit Kusatsu again, we would definitely like to stay at Hotel Ichii again.

The building and Rooms are certainly old, but the view from the lobby, the delicious meals made with care using local ingredients, the hot Onsen, and above all, the pleasant hospitality of the staff made our stay very comfortable. Thank you for taking such good care of us. I would like to visit again during the autumn foliage season.

This Accommodation’s Onsen was simply outstanding. The large public bath is divided into “Toki-no-Yu” and “Inishie-no-Yu,” and there are so many options—including indoor baths and open-air baths—that you can’t enjoy them all in just one night. There’s also a sauna, so it’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to sweat and unwind. Another small delight is the complimentary drink (Yakult) provided after your bath. Our Room had twin beds. It wasn’t huge, but it was calm and relaxing. When we opened the window early in the morning, we could hear birds singing—an experience you don’t usually get in the city center. It was such a wonderful Accommodation that we wanted to extend our stay.

What I was most satisfied with this time was, of course, the Onsen. The water had a strong sulfur scent—exactly what you’d expect from Manza Onsen. The scenic open-air bath with its incredible views felt amazing, and I ended up going in five times during my stay. I’ve always loved Manza Onsen, and this visit reminded me just how great the water is here. Meals were buffet-style, with roast beef as the highlight. It wasn’t especially luxurious, but considering the Accommodation Fee overall, both the selection and taste were more than satisfying. The all-inclusive plan was also a big plus. Drinks are unlimited, and you can enjoy snacks and ice cream as well. There’s table tennis and other activity corners in the building; on this day, the activity was calligraphy. It was nice to have things to do besides the Onsen, and I could truly relax. The staff were polite and attentive, and the facilities were kept very clean, so I felt comfortable throughout my stay. The Room had both air conditioning and a fan. The refrigerator is empty so you can use it freely. There are vending machines in the building as well, and I appreciated that they also offer a late-night snack service. I stayed in late September, but because of the high elevation it gets quite cold in the mornings and at night. If you’re visiting from now on, bringing an extra layer to throw on will help you feel prepared. If the weather is good, you can also enjoy a beautiful starry sky at night. Rather than coming for luxury dining, I’d recommend this Accommodation for anyone who wants to take their time enjoying Manza’s distinctive sulfur springs, spectacular open-air baths with views, and an all-inclusive stay. Manza’s hot spring water really is outstanding—I’d love to come back again just for the Onsen.

Because it was inexpensive, I stayed one night in a Room without windows. Since there were no windows, it felt a bit humid, but the Onsen was right outside the Room, so I could use the large public bath as if it were part of my Room—it was fantastic. The water at Manza is, needless to say, excellent. If I can enjoy such wonderful water at this price, I would definitely like to stay again.

Thank you very much for taking care of us during our 3-day, 2-night stay. The staff were wonderful, and we truly appreciated how quickly you responded to our inquiries. The only disappointing point was the towels. They were not very absorbent and were not ideal for drying off. Although Kusatsu is not the easiest place to access, this is a Hotel we would like to visit again.

We stayed for two nights and had a wonderful time. In addition to the Onsen, we were soothed by two different types of baths. During the day, we enjoyed soba in Tsumagoi Highlands and made the most of our trip from Shiga Highlands to Yamba Dam. The proprietress kindly shared tips on how to enjoy Yubatake and suggested nearby scenic drives, which helped us have a truly fulfilling holiday. We also thoroughly enjoyed the TsuruTaro Art Museum on site. Everything was perfect, and we were completely satisfied.

This was our first stay at this Accommodation, and we really liked it—the atmosphere was great, and the Room was spacious and very relaxing. It’s also close to Yubatake, so getting to Yubatake in the daytime and when it’s lit up at night, as well as shopping for souvenirs or grabbing a quick drink or meal, was no problem. Since it isn’t right around Yubatake, we were able to spend the nights quietly. We’ll definitely stay here again the next time we visit Kusatsu.

Because it is located a little away from Yubatake, we were able to spend a very quiet and relaxing time. The interior has a refined, design-forward atmosphere, yet since the building was originally a cottage and has been renovated, it also feels wonderfully cozy with the warmth and scent of wood. The guest-room bath with free-flowing Onsen water direct from the source was a bit hot at first, but once we got used to it, it felt amazing and allowed us to fully enjoy Kusatsu’s Onsen. After bathing, we felt warmed through to the core and our skin felt pleasantly moisturized. Even the amenities such as lotion were high quality, and we could sense attention to detail throughout. Both dinner and breakfast were truly outstanding, and each dish reflected great care in ingredient selection. The vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, and Joshu beef grilled over a wood fire had an especially fragrant savoriness that left a strong impression. The octopus rice at dinner and the white rice cooked in an earthenware pot at breakfast were also exceptional—perfect with grated yam and bonito flakes. It was a meal where you could really appreciate how delicious the rice itself is. We are not very knowledgeable about wine or sake, but there was an impressive selection, and the well-informed master recommended options tailored to our preferences—making this Accommodation particularly appealing for those who love drinks. Some past Reviews included harsh comments, but after staying ourselves, we could clearly see sincere efforts to improve; it felt like this Accommodation continues to evolve into something even better. Even understatedly put, it was an exceptional stay. We were completely satisfied with everything—the Facility offerings, Onsen baths, cuisine, and hospitality. It was such a wonderful Accommodation that we would absolutely want to stay again when visiting Kusatsu.

I stay here every two months.\nThe building is clean and well maintained, and I’m always satisfied whenever I visit.\nIt’s also close to Yubatake and the Onsen town, so I keep coming back again and again.\nThe food is delicious, and the staff provide excellent service.\nThank you as always for the wonderful memories.

When I went to the front desk to ask if I could park my car before check-in, there were only foreign staff and I couldn’t communicate well. We stayed for two nights, and my wife lost the Room key, so I contacted the front desk, but again it was foreign staff and they didn’t understand—saying they would check—and that was it. However, with pre-registration enabling instant check-in via QR code and a Room mirror with tablet functions for instant check-out, I feel this Hotel is ahead of its time.

We stayed in two Rooms with a total of seven people—my daughter’s family and my son. We have stayed here before, and it remains a favorite because we can truly relax, and both dinner and breakfast are served in private dining rooms so we can enjoy our meals at a leisurely pace. The grandchildren enjoyed not only the Onsen but also the pool, and they even wrote in their summer vacation diary that they want to come again. The staff also left a very positive impression with their courteous service.

I was satisfied with everything—the facilities, the Room, and the bath. The food tasted average, but there was a wide variety of dishes, and I was able to enjoy my meal at a relaxed pace.