Around Mt. Yokote × Accommodation With Private Hot Spring SourceHighly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan

Although the building is historic and compact, the cuisine—and even the tableware it is served on—are outstanding. The hot spring water comes from both the Yubatake source and the Ryokan’s own private source, each offering a distinct bathing experience. The staff are wonderful and exceptionally attentive. This is an Accommodation you will want to stay at again and again.

It was really great!

I’d been wanting to visit Japan’s highest-altitude Onsen for a long time, and after reading various Reviews, I chose this Accommodation. The Shuttle Service from Karuizawa Station was also a big plus. The indoor bath has some small windows partially open, so you can feel the breeze and enjoy it almost like an open-air bath. The open-air bath is about a 2-minute walk after going outside, so honestly I thought it might be a bit of a hassle. But once I got in, I forgot all about that. The view and the water were amazing. I will definitely come again! However, the wooden walkway on the way shows some wear, so if you have mobility issues, please be careful when walking in slippers. Also, after rain it’s downhill and may be slippery. The buffet also offered health-conscious options, and everything was delicious. Thank you to everyone at the Accommodation—the staff and the driver—for your hospitality.

My first time in Kusatsu Onsen. Since my skin is sensitive, I did some research and found that the Jizo-no-Yu source is relatively gentle, so I chose this Accommodation because it draws water from that source. It’s a historic Accommodation, and the building has a charming atmosphere. For dinner, we chose the Joshu beef Plan and it was delicious. Breakfast had most side dishes set out in advance; only the rice and miso soup were served hot. It might feel a bit light for big eaters, but I thought it was just the right amount since we planned to snack while walking around after checkout. Best of all was the private bath you can use exclusively. Maybe our timing was lucky, but it was always available whenever we went. Even though Jizo-no-Yu felt hot at first, once we stirred the water before getting in, we quickly got used to it. It didn’t sting at all, and my skin became smooth right away—something I’d never experienced before. Of course, it warmed me through to the core as well. We could relax and fully enjoy Jizo-no-Yu without worrying about anyone else, and it was so comfortable that we ended up not using the gender-segregated baths at all. I’d love to stay here again when I visit Kusatsu.

I stayed on the Shinshu Beef Plan. The meat was more generous than expected and absolutely delicious. There were also plenty of fresh vegetables, and the simple preparation let me fully enjoy their natural flavors. The Facility is old, but it has many furnishings that convey its history, and the overall atmosphere lets you immerse yourself in a Showa-era vibe. Perhaps due to energy-saving measures, some corridors and the post-bath lounge felt a bit dark at night and were slightly unsettling, but I can imagine how challenging it must be to maintain such large-scale facilities. The Onsen is one I want to visit again and again—please keep up the great work!

The entire Hotel was very clean, and all the staff were kind and helpful, which made it a comfortable stay. The food was also delicious, and we were very satisfied. The Room is very simple, but that simplicity made it a calming space where we could relax.

The Onsen water quality, the spacious and open feel, and being able to bathe as a couple made it the best Onsen I’ve ever visited. I enjoyed how the atmosphere changed in the morning, evening, and at night. You buy a bathing garment at the shop and wear it in the bath. It may be a bit short for tall women, so you might want to bring your own. Since we stayed two nights, we went to the Prince Hotel buffet on the second night. The food selection wasn’t very different—just crab and a few additional items, with more variety overall. The Hotel Facility is old and not particularly luxurious, but it’s not expensive, and above all the Onsen is excellent, so I was satisfied.

I stayed here for one night on the second night of my five-night solo trip to Kusatsu Onsen from Fukuoka, and I’m glad I was able to get a Reservation. I had heard that Kusatsu Onsen has various types of spring water, so I chose this Ryokan because it has a great reputation for its water quality and allows solo guests to enjoy the Onsen. Just as expected, the Onsen was truly wonderful, and I enjoyed soaking many times. I also visited several public baths—hot, tingling springs like Jizo-no-Yu felt great—but Gokurakukan’s comfortably warm Onsen was perfect for a long soak. It’s also recommended for those who don’t like very hot water. Towels were available in the Room as well as in the changing area by the bath, which was very convenient. Another nice point was being able to go to the Onsen without passing through the front desk, making it easy even early in the morning. The Room was clean, and the toilet was exceptionally spotless. I was happy to find Matsumura manju served with tea snacks. The free breakfast was delicious—the bread was wonderfully chewy. I also had dinner at the restaurant on the second floor; both the curry doria and carrot salad were excellent. At check-out, the owner and staff kindly gave me detailed sightseeing tips around Kusatsu. Thanks to them, I learned about Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture and went there using car sharing. After waiting about 30 minutes, I was lucky enough to see monkeys soaking in an Onsen—it was amazing. The next day, I used car sharing again and enjoyed Ikaho’s hot spring buns and Mizusawa udon as well. It became a truly memorable solo trip. The hospitality was warm and welcoming, and next time I’d love to stay with my family—thank you very much.