Explore genuine reviews and ratings from real travellers to find the perfect accommodation for your needs.
9.3/10
Great
YYouziのbinvI booked the highly-rated Bouun Ryokan three months in advance, supposedly in business for 462 years! The interior decor and tatami rooms were surprisingly new. The room service, the dining environment for dinner, and the exquisite Kaiseki cuisine were all incredibly impressive. We stayed for two nights, with breakfast and dinner included. The hotel uses only the finest Japanese ingredients, and not a single dish or dessert was repeated.
I especially want to commend the Japanese gentleman who picked us up and dropped us off at the bus station, and the young lady who helped us with our luggage on check-in day, January 5th. Both were exceptionally thoughtful. However, I must criticize a young male receptionist at the front desk – fair-skinned, round-faced, and wearing glasses. He didn't seem Japanese and was very impatient with guests. A high-end hotel like this shouldn't have such staff; it really detracts from the experience! Nevertheless, this won't stop me from staying here again on my next visit to Kusatsu.
GGuest UserKanemidori is a short walk from the bus depot. The staff at the reception and restaurant in the hotel were all very nice and helpful. The futons and bedding in the room are very comfortable and warm for winter. You can also control your own in room heater. The hotel onsen is well maintained with full amenities: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, face pack, hair treatment, and multiple types of lotion. We booked the room only but added on a dinner and breakfast at the hotel. Both meals were carefully prepared and delicious. The main tourist area is within walking distance of the hotel and you can go around in the yukata paired with the long and short kimono jackets provided by the hotel in the winter.
GGuest UserRoom & vibes
Stayed in a traditional tatami room and it was so Japanese in the best way – futon, tatami smell, the whole ryokan fantasy.
Super cosy, perfect if you’re here to soak, chill, and live your best onsen‑town main‑character life.
Buildings & facilities
Hotel has three blocks, all connected via the main building, so you’ll always pass through it anyway.
Most of the good stuff – hot springs, buffet etc. – is in the Annex building where I stayed, so it was really convenient, just no Yubatake view (that’s only for the main building rooms).
Location & mini shopping zone
They literally have their own shopping area on the first floor of the main building, right by Yubatake and the hot spring street, so you can roll out of the hotel in yukata and start browsing.
Super easy to snack, shop, then hop back into the onsen without feeling like you “went out”.
Transport & walking in snow
There’s a shuttle bus to the nearest public transport stop, so luggage days are easy.
You can walk it in under 10 minutes, but in snow season the road gets icy and crazy slippery, so honestly not recommended unless you trust your shoes (and your balance).
Staff & service energy
Hotel staff are amazing – super friendly and actually proactive.
Besides Japanese and English, some staff speak Mandarin and will just switch to it to help you out, and they’ll even offer to take photos for you before you have the chance to ask, which is perfect for solo or shy travellers.
FFionaFengOverall, Kizunoniwa is definitely better than Konoha. Dinner was a delicious Japanese meal served in a private dining room, and breakfast was also good. My only minor complaint was that the rice wasn't quite up to Japanese standards.
The location is quite far out. If you're heading to Ueno Station in the city, leaving the hotel at 9 AM and having a smooth journey, you'd likely arrive around 1 PM. The hotel shuttle takes ten minutes to the bus stop, then it's an hour and a half by bus to Karuizawa, and another hour-plus from Karuizawa to Ueno. The main delays are due to waiting for various connection times.
It snowed on our second day, which was truly beautiful.
I'd love to come back during autumn leaf season if possible.
配配魚魚Highly recommend staying for two consecutive nights; the outdoor onsen in the snow was amazing! We stayed in a nine-person room, split into two separate spaces, and the rooms were very spacious. The 'one night, two meals' package for two days offered delicious and varied meals. On our last night, we added the all-you-can-drink option for less than 500 NTD per person, which was incredibly good value. Plus, there were free noodles available until 10:30 PM!
에에이미 리It was a little far from Yubatake, so it was rather quiet and nice. When I went, I walked around the village and after checking out, I was able to travel comfortably because I was able to shuttle to Kusatsu Terminal. The staff were friendly and the meal was delicious. It's a good healing to rest while taking a hot spring at the hotel. There was no shower room in the Japanese room, but there was nothing uncomfortable because I often went to the hot spring. The hot spring water is good and there is an open-air bath, so I didn't feel the need to pilgrimage to other hot springs.
MmathemathusMy stay at Kamenoi Hotel Kusatsu was excellent. The onsen was very clean and quite spacious, making it a relaxing experience. The hotel also has a convenient shortcut that leads directly to the Yubatake pedestrian area, which is a big plus.
Both breakfast and dinner were buffet-style with a wide variety of dishes — plenty of options and all very enjoyable. The service was great, and the room was comfortable to sleep in.
The only downside is that there were a bit too few power outlets in the room, but it wasn’t a major problem.
Overall, a fantastic stay and highly recommended for anyone visiting Kusatsu.
GGuest UserThe view was amazing, surrounded by nature, and the rooms were spacious and quiet—it was wonderful.
The food was also very varied and satisfying.
The seafood was especially delicious, and it went down a treat with the alcohol (lol).
The staff were all very friendly, and when I was trying to take a photo from the hallway with Mt. Asama in the background, a staff member called out to me and took the photo for me on his smartphone, making it a pleasant and memorable trip. 🙏
DDabby RagasaWe drove up to Manza Ski Resort. It wasn’t difficult to find but because of adverse weather conditions, we had to take the longer route.
The Princes Hotel were accommodating, had good amenities for a hotel located high up in the mountains. It could do with a slight renovation, as there were leaks coming from the ceiling of the hallways.
The breakfast and dinner selection which were provided by the hotel were of decent selection. The highest onsen in Japan according to locals and our Japanese friend.
Better check out before the 10 AM time, otherwise a long form of queue awaits you at the reception.
A beautiful experience of outdoor snow and mineralised hot Onsen.
ううめぼしさんI stayed with three families!
The location is great and the room is pretty clean!
Although it is in the mountains, there are about 2 convenience stores about 5 minutes by car, so it is safe even in the event of a chance!
It was fun!
Thank you!