location was perfect, they picked us up at the bus depot in kusatsu. The onsen was wonderful, it can be hot but that is why you go. I ENJOYED IT so did my husband, we try to go off time to get privacy female side had 2 outdoor type, one was outdoor, one was semi cave area, it was wonderful. BKFST was all a nice traditional japanese sit down bkfst sit down set meal. You have to like fish many meals had fish in it including bkfst. Dinner had both seafood and meat . Very good food. Sit down and pretty traditional Japanese meals. THIS is not a buffett , its a sit down upscale meals. We like roomy area since we stay at least 4 days at onsen, this was perfect. it had signs of aging but was very comfortable with tatami room for futon and table and a side room with a sitting area. BATH is a seperate room from toilet with a nice counter area for sink and vanity. WOULD have been nice to have a little stool in front of sink as a vanity. The HUGE window overlooked a wonderful tree area which leaves had changed to autumn color . KUSATSU is a hilly area . WE saw the water churning dance show and loved it. WE also went to near by outdoor onsen called Sai no Kawara which has a fee inside the park . The park is free and has a free footbath . This park has hot spring water creeks flowing and its very surreal and beautiful to visit. The outdoor bath is huge with limited amenities inside. YOU need to buy or pack a towel. Because the water is antibacterial quality , I noticed no real wash area, fyi. There is a discounted ticket if you choose to visit 3 onsen which we planned to go . WE enjoyed all 3 onsens. The 3 are Sai no Kawara , Goza no YU , and OHTAKI no YU. LOVED all very relaxing . OSAKAYA onsen was great and you don't need to do any other one . WE just happen to be an onsen nut. visiting temples and walking around was blissful. You don't have to do meals but we chose to be pampered. WE WERE.

OMG, getting here isn't easy BUT well worth it. GLAD we stayed 4 nights because it does take a lot to get there. Osakaya was worth it, they took care of us and were so accomodating and so contientious. The hilly area is harder to walk around for those with walking issues but its a laid back area so take your time and walk. ITS a good area to be since its close to the YUBATAKE onsen water field .

Dinner was very cool, multiple courses that were all tasty. The room was also very nice with a clean and comprehensive bathroom. The private onsen was incredibly cheap as well and you get it for 40 minutes which is plenty of time. However if you want more than that you can always go to the one public to the rest of the ryokan.

This didnt bother me too much but could bother someone else. The place smells unavoidably a bit like sulphur due purely to the fact that the whole town does seeing as it is a hot spring town. If you dont like that then kusatsu as a whole might not be your style.

I choose the Ryokan because I want to experience a real Ryokan. This Ryokan is very old. This Ryokan do not have a English Signboard Name but it is not too difficult to find it. There is no Wifi in this hotel but since we travel with our Pocket Wifi, we have no problem. The staff speak very little English but we managed as I have travelled a few time in Japan. You are transport back to the old era when you step into the hotel but I love it. They serve us Matcha Tea and some sweet desert in our when we arrive. We had our dinner and breakfast served on the second floor in a private restaurant room. The food they served for dinner and breakfast is authentic. My friends loved it. The server were very friendly even though she don't speak much English. The indoor and outdoor Onsen is a bit small to my liking. The outdoor onsen does not have any view.

Nothing.

Although we did not speak japanese the staff did their best to help us and even had one english speaker on staff, they also provide a service to have your luggage shipped to your next destination which was very helpful when we went from gunma to kyoto. The staff goes in your room while you're gone to clean up and make your bed, they would also bring us tea and treats which we did not pay extra for. The onsen they have is very clean and beutiful especially since it is open air.

Ryokan is going through changes in Japan with many youths especially foreign talents being hired to join this industry. This ryokan has quite a number of foreign talent in the serving department and training needed to maintain the unique ryokan hospitality.

Oh the wifi is very bad and only available at lobby. Ryokan must understand that foreigners on holiday need the internet.

Staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. Easy and convenient access to onsens downstairs was much appreciated.

Free wifi access should be made available throughout the ryokan. Wifi access in the lobby is patchy and unreliable. The male onsen is also much smaller than the female onsen, which seems rather discriminatory.

Very traditional property with modern amenities and very accommodating staff. Felt like stepping back in time to the Meiji era. The onsen were exquisite with the outdoor set in a wooden tub at edge of stone wall with a temperature just barely tolerable but very relaxing once acclimated. The meals were also a traditional flavor experience from the sashimi to the sukiyaki along with period style breakfast foods.

Property, including onsen baskets and wood trim in rooms require a little tender loving care (TLC) or replacement.

This ryokan was truly beautiful. The room was very spacious, warm and clean. I loved the Japanese style rooms. The Ryokan kindly let us store our luggage there both before and after our check in/check out times and all the staff were extremely welcoming and kind. The private onsen was also beautiful and the Kaiseki dinner and breakfast was absolutely delicious.

very attentive staff. While we are able to speak some Japanese, the staff were very accomodating to our limited understanding, and endeavoured to speak English where possible, assigning us staff with more capable English skills to assist with communication. The onsen was very clean and comfortable, both the indoor bath and the picturesque small outdoor bath. the food was incredible - kaiseki dining at its finest; with each dish explained to us along with the correct method of enjoying them to their fullest.

Very good hotel and service was excellent, staff were very helpful and attentive. There is a private onsen available for reservation. Overall everything is good, if compared to the price it is considered very worthwhile. Hotel was clean, has good options and If there is a chance to come back to this hotel again.

No