Hotele Hot Springs w: Gunma Prefecture, Japan

The hotel is quite a walk from the bus center, and the uneven roads make it inconvenient for luggage; taxis are also scarce. The room is spacious, and the tatami area with heating was very comfortable. It was handy to be able to pick up yukata (robes) for men and women in the lobby. The service level at the hotel's front desk was generally poor. They didn't even bother with a fake smile, haha 😂. Japanese service is becoming more expensive and the quality is getting worse – a clear sign of decline. The hot spring pool in the hotel is very small and the facilities are quite old, so don't expect too much. My favorite part was still the Nishinokawara露天温泉 (outdoor hot spring) outside the hotel. It's 100% natural mountain spring water, so healing! For 800 yen, there are no services, no showers, and you need to bring your own towel. It was totally worth the trip and instantly made up for the round-trip train ticket from Tokyo.

I looked forward to my stay in this hotel very much given the good comments on the Internet. The open air bath on the rooftop is great. You can see the stars on a clear days, but there is no shampoo and shower gel there. You can also choose your own yukata. They are not very fancy ones but much better than the standard basic yukata. However, I found the dinner disappointing. I paid around 6000 yen for the dinner. There were just a small portion of appetizers, udon noodles with pork, a pot of rice and a small dessert. I also paid extra for the drink. The taste was very average. You can have much better dinner in a restaurant in this area.

We stayed in Naraya House for 1 night and it was perfect. The staffs were all very kind and helpful that I am truly grateful for all their assistance given throughout our stay. We had a suite, rm no.206, it was stunningly amazing! I only know I am booking a suite with a beautiful view of the yubatake and private onsen. I didn't know it's a gigantic duplex suite with the best view of the yubatake! The room door opens to a western style living and dining area that fits with a set of sofa for 6 and a dining table for 4 with 2 benches. To the left of this western style area is 2 double beds, a walk-in closet and a toilet. I could see Japanese syle beddings in a cupboard which I believe they would be made when the room is booked for more than 2 persons. Facing the sofa is a TV panel. Behind the TV is a Japanese style sitting area with a coffee table and a view of the yubatake. The view is picturesque. There you can also find a stairs going down to the suite's private onsen bath. It's actually on a balcony overlooking the yubatake, the same gorgeous view as in its Japanese style sitting area above, just without the windows, ie closer and clearer picture of the yubatake without reflections. But be aware ppl on the street can see u too, as you can see the windows r just next to 7.11 The meal provided was fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the freshly made sushi. The salmon roe was just so fresh that they were actually shining like marbles. All the ingredients used are high quality. My kid, who is usually picky on food, was pleased with the menu. He already wanted to come back again. Next time, we will stay here for more nights in order to better experience the beauty of Kusatzu. Ps I usually don't bother to write a review, I am doing this one in return to the hotel's great service and hospitality. Thank you and until next time~

This is a fabulous place for an authentic Japanese holiday. The location is beautiful. The outdoor hot spring bathing area is clean and looks like a movie set. The included meals are generous in portion size and are delicious. Our room overlooked the river and it was great. Tatami floors and shoji screen windows. This is an old and historic place and does not cater to western norms. You sleep on futons on the floor. Only Japanese food is available. But it is a wonderful place to spend some time.

We had a wonderful stay at Urakusatsu Tou, a brand-new hotel that truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly escorted by the staff. Although parking was allocated at a private outdoor parking area, the hotel thoughtfully provided an escort service, making the process very smooth and comfortable. The room was spacious and beautifully designed. Communication was easy as the receptionist spoke fluent English. The hotel also provided pajamas and daily clothing, which was a lovely and convenient touch. The onsen experience was outstanding—definitely one of the best we’ve ever had. You can immediately feel your skin becoming smooth after soaking, which made each visit incredibly relaxing. We stayed for three nights with both breakfast and dinner included. Meals were served à la carte, and the menu changed daily, surprising us every time. The food was delicious and very filling—we were completely satisfied after every meal. That said, there are a few areas we hope the hotel could improve: • During winter, the room felt quite cold as the air-conditioning heater did not function properly and was unable to warm up the room. • Breakfast hours could be extended a little later for guests who prefer a more relaxed morning. • Providing a choice of pillows would further improve sleeping comfort. • The blue indicator light on the room’s control panel remains very bright even when all lights are turned off, which can be a bit distracting at night. Overall, this hotel offers excellent service, comfort, and an unforgettable onsen and dining experience. Highly recommended, and we believe it will be even better with these small improvements.

Kusatsu itself is a magnificent place. The hotel is located right in the center. The room type was traditional with futons, and we had a mountain view, which was stunning in the morning. The hotel is well-maintained. We absolutely loved the onsen at the hotel – it was incredibly enjoyable! It was clean, beautiful, and comfortable. I particularly want to highlight the breakfasts and dinners; the selection was absolutely superb. Highly recommended!

Excellent service. I will give 10 out of 5 if I could. There was a staff who rushed out to us and asked if we were going to stay at the Ryokan. Very helpful for lost travelers overwhelmed by the cold weather. Greeted us warmly when we arrived. Explained the important information to us as best as they could in English, which is perfectly fine. Room was big. Decorated meticulously in the traditional Japanese style. Yukata and Obi provided added on to the immersive experience. Dinner was exquisite. Dishes gave us a taste of what traditional Japanese cuisine was like. The food was sincere (didn’t feel like frozen / canned / ready made food), served and plated meticulously. There were 2 onsens, indoor and outdoor. They were clean and spacious enough. Water (I believe) is from the hot spring nearby and was immensely therapeutic. Ryokan was near the heart of the town and everything was within walking distance. Kindly shuttled us to the bus terminal when we checked out (we didn’t have to wait for fixed timings) and carried our (heavy) luggage. All in all, we enjoyed the one night stay very much and they set a high bar for Japanese hospitality.

Excellent Hotel Review Staying at this hotel was an absolute delight! The room was spotlessly clean, cozy, and well‑equipped. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and always ready to help with a warm smile. The location is perfect—quiet yet close to attractions and restaurants. The food was fresh and delicious with a great variety. I had a comfortable and memorable stay and will definitely return on my next visit. Highly recommended

A relax and nice view in Kusatsu. The hotel is located a bit far from bus terminal. However, there is a free shuttle bus service which connected with bus service. I strongly encourage the private onsen package where we can taste three different type of onsen in the hotel. My platinum ring changed colour, may be due to the acidity of onsen water😂. The dinner and breakfast inspired and it is good for family trip with a number of accessible service for elderly with physically limitations.

Excellent value for money, with a half-board package that included dinner and breakfast. Dinner was very generous, though the aftertaste was just average; the Jōshū beef was the highlight. Breakfast quality was superb. Very satisfied with the cleanliness and comfort.