Kamenoi Hotel Kusatsu Yubatake

The on-site food was great, though the buffet is the same each day, with only breakfast and dinner differing. I’d suggest having each meal once, then trying the town’s food on other days. The service was friendly, cheerful, and accommodating, and the 15-minute walk to the local ski resort made for a fun morning or afternoon of snowboarding before a soak. My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon for a traditional Japanese experience, and that’s what we got. He has tattoos, so we couldn’t use the hotel onsens. There are three tattoo-friendly onsens in town, including one just three minutes away, and those suited the experience we wanted even better.

Our family of four slept on four futons in a traditional room, which made for a distinctly Japanese stay. The hotel has a cozy, aged character that gives it charm, and the three onsen baths were a relaxing treat after exploring. The location made getting around easy: the shopping street is about a five-minute walk, and the famous Yubatake onsen is around ten minutes away. There’s parking on the premises, but spaces are first come, first served. The buffet breakfast and dinner had a variety of choices, though I thought the food quality could be better. It was a pleasant stay with some memorable moments, but there’s room for improvement.

We arrived around 5 pm and appreciated how the staff made things easy for visitors who don’t speak Japanese. The hotel is easy to reach from the main area, and the open-air onsen park is also a comfortable walk away. Kusatsu Onsen itself is a wonderful place, with modern facilities such as restrooms and seating areas. Prices seemed lower while the exterior was being refurbished, so the included breakfast and dinner made for good value. The hotel has strict meal times and seating arrangements, which I can understand, though they might be awkward if you have evening plans or arrive hungry. The restaurant manager did try to accommodate seniors with earlier times or seats closer to the serving area. Staff were polite, but the general feel was more restrictive than relaxing. We had a Deluxe twin room with a small electric fan for air circulation. It was warm for me, so I left the window slightly open, but after midnight a strong sulfur smell from outside kept me awake. There are three separate onsen, which helps spread out the crowds. I really enjoyed the Hinoki bath, but the ceiling in the large main bath was moldy, and I dreaded breathing the misty air. I hope they can clean it soon.

The staff were fairly friendly, which helped the hotel a bit. The buffet breakfast and dinner were okay, with lots of choices. The building and rooms felt old and rundown, though. There are only two elevators for the whole place, so the stairs are often quicker. At checkout, you may have to wait for several elevators before you can get on with your luggage. Parking is limited to a few spots outside the hotel; otherwise, you have to leave the car a few minutes’ walk away, about a block up.