There are many things I liked about this Ryokan, starting with the excellent service from the staff—they were always attentive and very helpful. They spoke perfect English. Secondly, I loved that everything is within walking distance, especially the main tourist attractions in the area. My room was just the right size for three adults, with a small space overlooking the garden. Lovely natural lighting. Having a toilet in the room, even though it was a small space, was a great convenience. I would return without hesitation

Without being a complaint, I noticed that the breakfast may not have been quite sufficient as I ended up feeling hungry.

The Onsen was gorgeous, clean and well organised with an efficient and easy to understand system. The staff was exceptionally friendly, welcoming and helpful, and spoke English very very well. The rooms were beautiful and super warm (even while there in the snow you did not have to worry about rugging up). I loved the classic wooden ryokan set-up and tatami floors with futons. Futons were also made for you each night while you were out, and packed up for you after you left in the morning.

Toilet space was quite compact, if that concerns you.

One of my favourite ryokans I’ve ever stayed in! Such a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, lovely rooms and comfortable futon. Loved the private bath we were able to use a few times. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, it really felt like “coming home”. Super glad we booked this as part of our honeymoon and I’ll be staying here again if I return to Kusatsu!

The ryokan is adjacent to a wooded park, which provides some freshness during the scorching summer. The Matsuo Basho Monument is just behind. Although this is a building with a long history which has retained its authentic atmosphere and has welcomed distinguished Japanese visitors in the past, the owners are also friendly to foreign guests and the reception staff speak perfect English. The baths have recently been renovated and it is possible to enjoy a peculiar onsen water, which is highly acidic and removes all dirt from the skin. For those who are concerned, the water does not smell much. For couples or families, there is a private bath available for free. If you can afford more than a guesthouse, I recommend staying there to enjoy the yubatake surroundings at night, by borrowing a yukata and a pair of geta lent by the ryokan.

A Ryokan with a homely feel! The gentleman who checked us in spoke really good english and we had no issues with communication whatsoever. He made our stay especially pleasant! The onsen water at Kusatsu is also to the next level! You come with dry and rough skin and leave with silky smooth skin. Highly recommend this onsen town!

The property is located on top of a hill which we didn’t know, so we had to lug our big luggages up the hill! There was no lift in the ryokan as well. A note to ourselves is to not bring big bags to onsen towns!

This hotel, room, and location was wonderful! Great to see in the winter time, and close to the little town with restaurants and shops. My husband and I especially loved the private onsen!

If I really HAD to push and say something I didn't like (very hard to do as everything was lovely) - I found the rice pillow to be a bit uncomfortable to sleep on. But I say that knowing full well that they told us in advance that those were the pillows and knew what we were getting ourselves into.

The location was great, just 3,4 min walk from yubatake, but surrounding was quiet nice area. And the outside looking was Japanese style which is very traditional and beautiful. The hotspring bath was great!!! There is a small outside bath next to small river which was very relaxing. The owner was wonderful, explained us how to take a bath and Kusatsu history. It was fascination coz they have been there for long time knowing everything. Very highly Recomend. I wished I could have stayed more than one night.

The location Bath The owner

Rustic atmosphere near the town center. Onsen have excellent water, I'd say it's pretty much the same as the big three bath. So if you're not keen on going to the large public bath the onsen here is an excellent alternative. Staff were friendly and accommodating.

Walking from the kusatsu station can be challenging. Have to go through couple of big hills.

We stayed this ryokan with family and friends, 9 people. we had great time there. This ryokan made us like Kusatsu more. Service and the location was wonderful. The hot tub were soooo good. The owner of the ryokan was very kind and explain how to bath and effects of water about hotspring. Highly recommended !

Hot bath were great. Look of this building was nice and traditional. The owner’s passion for hotspring were amazing so that water is very well managed like tempeture and cleaness.

One of the things that we really really appreciated about Kirishimaya Ryokan was staff that speak great English! Not that we expect that when we travel but it’s always wonderful to be able to converse naturally in our mother tongue! :) A very homey ryokan, dated but clean and well-run. The onsens were great…and really hot! Also close to Yubatake and pretty much the centre of Kusatsu.

We are light sleepers so not having black-out curtains/sliding windows made it difficult for us to sleep beyond 6am when the sun was up. I think that would probably be our only minor gripe.