Ura Kusatsu Tou

A stylish Accommodation in a prime location within walking distance of Yubatake.The building is relatively new, and the lobby, restaurant, and guest rooms are all thoughtfully designed spaces that made the stay feel special and out of the ordinary.Dinner was a creative set-course meal, and it was exciting to see each dish arrive one by one.The bath isn’t large, but there is an open-air bath where we could enjoy Kusatsu’s characteristically sharp hot-spring water straight from the source.The yukata and haori were stylish, and when we headed to Yubatake wearing them, the front desk staff kindly looked out for us and lent us an umbrella in the light rain.I’d love to visit again.

We stayed here on the first night of our 2-night, 3-day trip to Kusatsu Onsen as a family (two adults and one 8-year-old child). We take about 40 family trips a year.[Location] Just a few minutes’ walk from Yubatake, the symbol of Kusatsu. Exit from the first-floor door and go through a narrow pedestrian-only path, and you’re there—very convenient for sightseeing.[Parking] It’s a little away from the Accommodation, but staff provide Shuttle Service by bus. The approach to the entrance is via narrow lanes, so drivers of larger vehicles may need to be extra careful.[Guest Room] Beds on tatami flooring. Since there is an Onsen public bath, the room has only a shower. The TV is a bit small.[Facilities] The building seems to have been renovated down to the structure, and everything is very clean—almost like a Hotel. The rooftop terrace was marked “No entry due to slippery conditions,” but when I went to check there was no snow at all; this policy felt slightly overly cautious.[Private Bath] Due to winter season restrictions we couldn’t use the rooftop one, so we used the first-floor private bath. The water itself is good, but it only has one shower and a small ceramic tub. Since private baths are not typically used alone, I’d like to see more thought put into making it more comfortable.[Meals (Dinner)] A Japanese-Western fusion course centered around charcoal-grilled dishes. There were no child-friendly options at all, so it’s clearly aimed at couples or adult groups. Each dish was beautifully plated with presentation in mind. One concern was that clearing didn’t keep up—used plates were piled up near the restaurant entrance where guests pass most often.[Meals (Breakfast)] A set Japanese breakfast menu.[Overall Satisfaction] The biggest draw is its excellent location near Yubatake, which is why I rated it 5/5. That said, considering the Accommodation Fee, I felt that if the Facilities and services were just a bit more substantial overall, it could be an even better place to stay.