Around Nishino Kawara Open-air Bath × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

It was my first visit in a while, and once again the Onsen was wonderful—I thoroughly enjoyed soaking in two different natural hot spring sources. The meals were delicious and very satisfying. The guests were considerate, and it was very quiet, so I could truly relax. The staff were kind as well, and I recommend this place to anyone who likes a small, cozy property. Thank you for taking such good care of me. I will visit again.

This Accommodation in Kusatsu, one of Japan’s premier Onsen destinations, offered such outstanding cuisine that it made us want to visit for the food rather than the Onsen. One beautifully crafted dish after another was served on a lovely white lacquered table. Everything was delicious and a delight for both the eyes and the palate. Breakfast was equally satisfying, and you could really feel the care and effort put into it from early morning. Of course, the Onsen was also excellent, with a location right in front of Jizo Onsen. The three private baths with free-flowing hot spring water were not by Reservation; instead, we checked availability on a tablet and entered when open, which let us enjoy all three without any stress. The Room was spacious, and the staff’s attentive yet unobtrusive service made everything very comfortable. After returning home, I’ve been recommending it to my friends as a must-visit.

Thanks to the excellent location right in front of Yubatake, we were able to fully enjoy not only evening strolls but also morning walks. The buffet offered a wide variety of dishes, and everything was delicious. The breakfast smoothies and rice balls were especially popular with our family. It was our first trip to Kusatsu and we weren’t sure which Accommodation to choose, but we’re truly glad we chose this one.

The entire property was spotlessly clean, which made our stay very comfortable. All the staff were polite and pleasant. Both the first-floor lounge and the third-floor common room had a relaxing atmosphere, so we could unwind not only in our Room but also in other areas. The tasteful floral arrangements that weren’t too showy were also a lovely touch.

Choosing Naraya as my Accommodation in Kusatsu Onsen was truly the best decision. The Onsen, so carefully maintained by the bath masters, was exceptional, and the atmosphere of the traditional baths was wonderful. It was so relaxing that I soaked in the Onsen five times during my stay and enjoyed a slow, luxurious time. Each dish was delicious, and thanks to the thoughtful explanations about the cuisine, I enjoyed the meal even more. The sushi prepared right in front of me was also excellent and left a lasting impression. Above all, the staff’s hospitality was outstanding. Everyone was courteous and kind, and their attentive care made it clear they genuinely wanted guests to feel comfortable. In every situation throughout my stay, I was warmly looked after, which made my time there truly pleasant. From the ambiance of the Accommodation to the Onsen, dining, and service—everything was superb. It is an Accommodation that made me sincerely feel glad I stayed at Naraya. Thank you very much for such a wonderful experience. When I visit Kusatsu Onsen again, I would love to stay at Naraya.

It was really great!

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.

First of all, we truly felt the hospitality of the proprietress and the staff. We were convinced they genuinely think, “Thank you for coming,” from the bottom of their hearts. The Onsen is, of course, outstanding. Gazing at the rocky surface overflowing with natural hot spring water, you can feel an immense sense of history. The meals were also absolutely wonderful. We were completely satisfied with both the taste and the portions. Just when we thought it would be a classic kaiseki course, there were creative twists that made it even more enjoyable. The tableware was also exceptionally refined and inspiring. It’s true that features such as the age of the building and facilities, and having only stairs with no elevator, may come down to personal preference depending on your generation, but for us as a couple they were not drawbacks at all. If you’re visiting Kusatsu Onsen, we think this is an Accommodation you should stop by at least once.

I visit Kusatsu Onsen every year, and Sakurai Hotel is the best. First of all, the hot spring water is excellent. It also seems to have been renovated, and both the Room and the changing area were very clean. The hair dryer was the latest ReFa model. The food was delicious as well—especially breakfast, which left me completely full. The grilled salmon was great. I’d like to come again next year.

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.

You can enjoy the gentle Yubatake Onsen in the calm, refined atmosphere of a long-established Ryokan. The food is delicious, but above all, the staff are exceptionally kind. Every visit leaves me impressed by their outstanding service. At check-out, the gracious proprietress sees you off with great care, and you can truly feel how her attentiveness is reflected throughout the entire team.

The welcome drink and free parking at Nao Resort Hotel were great, and the staff were absolutely amazing throughout our stay. The Naraya Group staff are consistently outstanding. We booked during a time sale at this price, and even breakfast was included—I almost felt bad. I was also happy that the card payment included the Hot Spring Tax. We had a wonderful time around Yubatake. Unfortunately, I couldn’t use the Onsen for personal reasons, but my sister and mother were truly impressed by Ichinoyu’s waters, several nearby baths they could enjoy many times, and Soan’s private bath. Thank you again—everything was perfect.

Everything was excellent—the Room, the baths, the food, the staff service, and the pool. We chose a loft-style Room, and it was very clean! However, for families with small children, we can’t recommend it because the ladder is steep and high. The baths were not crowded, so we could relax; the large public bath was very clean. We also had the pool almost to ourselves, and there were banana boats and other items available, which looked like a lot of fun. The buffet had a wide variety of options and everything was delicious. There were plenty of choices at breakfast as well. Our whole family loved it and we’d like to come again. Thank you very much.

Pros: Friendly service. Great location—close to Yubatake and with parking available. Clean and well maintained. I used the bath at night and in the morning, and had it all to myself both times. The bread was delicious. Cons: The TV screen is small, so keep that in mind if you plan to watch TV. You can hear footsteps in the hallway. There were no slippers (they might be available), which wasn’t a big issue but felt a bit unusual.

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.

We stayed as a mother and daughter! The European-style modern Room was beautifully cleaned and spacious—almost too big for just the two of us. The Yubatake was right in front of us, which was very convenient. Breakfast at an Onsen Accommodation is usually so early that my daughter can hardly eat, but here we had suiton in the first-floor dining room. You can even have it after check-out, so we were able to enjoy a relaxed morning.

Both the Room and the open-air bath were clean, and it was a very comfortable Hotel. The location was also convenient, making it easy to get anywhere, including Yubatake and the shops, which was great! Just one point: The towels provided in the Room were not very absorbent, so it took quite a while to dry off. I would be happy if that could be improved. Overall, it felt more comfortable than the price would suggest, so if the towel issue is resolved, I would like to stay again.

I was able to stay in a private room at an affordable price. The building isn’t new, but you can enjoy a retro Showa-era vibe. The bath felt like it was all to myself, and it’s close to Yubatake!

This was our second stay, the first in two years. The buffet offered a wide variety of dishes, including local specialties unique to the area. Both the buffet staff and the front desk staff were very kind and attentive, which made our stay truly comfortable. In particular, the buffet staff explained things in a way that was easy for our child to understand and spoke to us in a friendly manner, which we really appreciated. When we stay in Kusatsu again, we would love to choose this Accommodation. Thank you very much.

We stayed in the Yuri Room, which comes with a semi-open-air bath. It features free-flowing Jizo hot spring water, one of our favorite sources in Kusatsu Onsen. The private Onsen was too hot to relax for long, but the in-room Onsen was at just the right temperature and very comfortable. We could enjoy both dinner and breakfast in the in-room dining area; it was a bit pricey, but choosing this room was absolutely worth it. The meals were not extravagant, but the portions were just right and the seasoning suited our taste.