Kusatsu Onsen 326 Yama no Yu Hotel

Stayed for 2 nights. Check-in was handled by a calm older gentleman who explained everything very clearly. The Room was clean and flawless. Since this trip was mainly for the Onsen, the light meals were actually perfect. It seems the baths are usually separated by gender, but this time they were on a time schedule—slightly disappointing for me as I like early-morning bathing, but it wasn’t an issue because Kusatsu’s three public baths are open from morning. I’ll be retiring in a year, so I plan to come back often. As an aside, there’s a fruit shop right in front of the Hotel, and their “Haru Aika” mandarins were so delicious I ate way too many (lol).

I stayed at this Accommodation last November on my trip to Kusatsu as well. Depending on the timing, the Onsen can feel like a private bath, so you can relax and soak at your own pace. (During a 2-night, 3-day stay, I bathed 8 times and was alone 7 of those times.) Breakfast includes delicious homemade bread. It’s also close to Yubatake, making it a perfect location for exploring Kusatsu. This time, in addition to enjoying the Onsen and trying local foods, I also visited Kusatsu Tropical Wonderland and enjoyed Onsen rakugo—so there was plenty to do beyond just the hot springs. With service that isn’t overbearing, it’s an ideal Accommodation for a laid-back stay, and I’d love to return.