kei-kei

We felt at home here and had a really memorable visit. The meals were some of the best we’ve ever had, and the chef’s creativity and the staff’s warm, personal manner made a big impression. We’ve stayed at several high-end onsens, but none matched the taste and inventiveness of the food here. Our room was well appointed, with a very comfortable bed and its own nice onsen, though there wasn’t much of a view from the bath. There are three more private onsens on site. We liked the multi-pool one best, but it was harder to find an open time. One more private bath would have made things perfect, so on busy days you’ll need to watch the availability screen in your room. The rooms were also quite warm in mid-January even with the heater off, since the comforters felt thick and heavy. There were no blackout curtains, and some of the high windows had no coverings.

We stayed at kei for two nights and had a wonderful time. We don’t eat meat, eggs, or milk, and after we let them know before arriving, they were happy to adjust the food for us. The meals, service, and rooms were perfect. During the day, though, we were bored because there’s basically nothing to do in Kusatsu and the onsens all close from 10am to 3pm. It might help to stagger the closing hours among the three baths so one stays open, or reopen each one as soon as cleaning is done.

The kaiseki cuisine was top notch, and this was the best onsen hotel I’ve ever stayed at!

The private onsen is a must try. The Japanese food and sake were fantastic, and the hospitality was amazing 😍🤤👍