Around Nishino Kawara Open-air Bath × Highly rated for dining at Hotel·Ryokan - 2Page Number

It was within walking distance of Yubatake, and the meals offered a wide variety and were delicious. The Room was so spacious it almost felt like too much, but I was able to relax very comfortably. The open-air bath in the Room wasn’t very private despite being “open-air,” as it could be seen from outside, so I ended up having to lower the blinds, which reduced the sense of openness. Still, it was much better than an indoor bath. There was also a large public Onsen bath, so I could fully enjoy the Onsen there as well.

Both the Facility and the Room were very clean! Even cleaner than other well-maintained Accommodations. The meals were delicious, and after gradually getting used to Kusatsu’s characteristically hot Onsen, I felt refreshed for the first time in a while and slept soundly. I was surprised at first that there was no air conditioner, but with the windows fully open and using a fan and a handheld fan, it was not a problem at all. I stayed with my daughter, and we will definitely return. Thank you very much.

Among the many Accommodations, we chose Taira no Ie because of the breakfast and a Room with a view of Yubatake. It wasn’t a typical breakfast—suiton, chimaki, and dessert waffles were available for seconds, and we were completely full. Everything was delicious. The Room was spacious and clean even for four adults, and it was great to have two sinks. The staff were young foreigners, but their service was excellent; they spoke Japanese earnestly and it was charming. The Onsen water was very hot, but it left our skin feeling smooth. It was right in front of Yubatake, so it was convenient for walking around, but getting up to the Accommodation by car was difficult because of the steep slope and crowds. Still, we’re glad we chose Taira no Ie. We fully enjoyed Kusatsu Onsen. Thank you very much.

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.

The staff were very courteous, and I had a comfortable stay. All of the meals were delicious, and I was very satisfied! I will stay again.

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.

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!

I’m a returning guest. Following last year, I stayed again this year for a workcation. The kind couple made our stay wonderful, and our dog was very happy too. I hope to come back again next year. Thank you very much for everything!

With check-in at 2:00 PM, this Hotel is recommended if you arrive in Kusatsu early and want to sightsee around Yubatake first. However, it’s hard to tell from the map, but walking from the Hotel to the downtown area where Yubatake is located requires going up and down a very steep hill. It’s about a 10-minute walk one way, but the uphill stretch is quite tough. The in-house Facility, public bath, and Room had been renovated and were clean and comfortable, but I was unlucky with my Room—the sound of rain hitting the Facility roof outside the window was loud and made it hard to sleep—so I rated the guest room two stars lower and overall satisfaction one point lower.

I stayed for one night. The Room was a twin in the annex, and I was able to relax comfortably. There is an Onsen in the building that is available 24 hours, so it was great to be able to bathe early in the morning as well. Yukata were provided in the Room, and at night I enjoyed strolling around the illuminated Yubatake in a yukata, which became a wonderful memory. I would definitely like to stay here again when visiting Kusatsu.

I only met the staff at check-in; after that, I didn’t really see anyone, and check-out is simple—just drop the key in the box. The Room was clean, and the bed was very comfortable. However, be careful with the bath water—it’s extremely hot (maybe around 50°C). It takes time to cool it down with the shower, so it’s not ideal if multiple people need to use the bath one after another.

We stayed for two nights in a twin Room. On the first day, we made a Reservation for the private open-air bath and sauna, and it was wonderful. Kusatsu is known for having many very hot baths, but this one was at just the right temperature and felt great! Even without a Reservation, we were able to use the indoor bath privately whenever it was available. The Room was divided into a Japanese-style room with a TV and low table, and a Western-style room with beds. The washbasin featured beautiful pottery, which was lovely. The owner was friendly and kind—at check-in they marked plenty of restaurant recommendations on a map for us, and when we returned they asked if we had been cold while sightseeing. There was also a flashlight in the Room, which really helped for an evening walk. We would definitely like to stay here again when we visit Kusatsu!

The renovated traditional building offers a modern Japanese-style Ryokan with friendly and helpful staff. The Onsen is available as a private bath, and you can use it anytime if it's vacant. There are three baths, each supposedly at different temperatures, but they all seemed to be the same temperature and quite hot. The much-talked-about breakfast was also delicious.

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.

Good Points: - The building is well-constructed, so noise from neighbors or upstairs was hardly noticeable. - The staff paid attention to details, which was greatly appreciated. - The Room was odorless and clean. - Wi-Fi worked properly. - My request for a low pillow was accommodated perfectly. Areas for Improvement: - All the towels seemed to have an oily film and did not absorb water as well as new towels would. A fellow guest at the bath also mentioned that they had never encountered towels with such poor absorbency before. - The mirror was folded inside the closet, and I only noticed it at checkout when I wanted to use it. It would be helpful if it were placed in a more noticeable location.

A traditional Onsen Accommodation. The Room has no air conditioning and feels very retro, but it is very comfortable. The bath is on the hotter side, but the water is very soft, so even if it’s hot you can soak for a long time. Breakfast was also very delicious. The staff were very kind and welcoming. I really like this kind of Accommodation.

It was worth extending our trip from Karuizawa to Kusatsu Onsen just to visit Kimuraya. We truly enjoyed a relaxing time, and the Shirahata no Yu with its free-flowing Onsen water was so smooth it felt like it embraced the body. Even my husband, who isn’t particularly fond of hot springs, seemed to appreciate its charm and went in multiple times. The staff members were all wonderful as well.

This Accommodation has only five Rooms, yet it has two private baths, and you can use them anytime if they are available. I used them four times. The hot water was excellent. It’s a 4-minute walk to Yubatake, but there are many slopes, so it was great to relax in the Accommodation’s private baths. There is also a convenience store nearby. The breakfast was generous and delicious! All the staff were very kind.

Stayed in summer. We were able to relax, and it would be perfect if there were a fan in the changing room.

I stayed here this time because I wanted to relax in the Onsen. The large public bath fed by the Shirahata source was especially wonderful. The private bath with Yubatake water was hot, but I could take my time and unwind at my own pace, enjoying it while opening the window to cool off. I had seen in other Reviews that dinner is plentiful, so I held back from trying street food while exploring the area. As rumored, I was very satisfied with both the portion size and the taste. While I was dining, they prepared my futon and also thoughtfully replaced items like teacups and provided iced water—coming back from the Onsen to a refreshing drink of water was truly delightful. Stylish Accommodations such as Resort Hotels are popular these days, but this stay reminded me that a Japanese Ryokan feels most relaxing for Japanese guests. Thank you for a wonderful memory.