Yorokobinoyado Takamatsu
6,9/10 Good - Based on 826 reviews
Yorokobinoyado Takamatsu sits in the heart of Kusatsu's hot-spring district, a Japanese-style inn built around the town’s main thermal source, Yubatake. The property channels full-strength spring water to a range of bathing facilities and places guests within easy walking distance of Yubatake and the town centre. As a ryokan with onsen in Kusatsu, it combines traditional tatami accommodation with functional public spaces, giving visitors direct access to the steam and daily rhythms of the spa town.
Bathing options include a large indoor communal bath, an open-air rotenburo and reservable private baths fed directly from the Yubatake source; the inn emphasises a continuous flow of 100% natural spring water and the occasional clouding caused by moving "yunohana". Facilities that support the onsen experience include a relaxation lounge that becomes a bar at night, yukata rental and a tattoo-friendly policy for non-aggressive designs. For travellers seeking a ryokan with private onsen Gumma, reservable private baths are available.
Guest rooms are traditional tatami-style chambers with futons, and meal service emphasises seasonal local produce across multiple dining spaces — an open-kitchen grill, a counter-style dining room and a main banquet restaurant — with options for in-room service. The property operates a shuttle from the Kusatsu bus terminal to simplify arrivals by rail or bus, and public areas provide straightforward amenities for relaxation and luggage handling. Overall, the inn pairs practical modern services with the character of a long-standing spa house for visitors focused on bathing and local cuisine.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yorokobinoyado Takamatsu
Positive Reviews
Very convenient location
Multiple guests praised the hotel's central location — short walk to Yubatake, close to the main bus terminal and town centre, making sightseeing and transfers easy.
Good onsen facilities
Reviewers appreciated the hotel's onsen: accessible on-site (indoor and outdoor baths), spacious and hot; some rooms also offer private thermal baths.
Friendly and helpful staff
Staff were frequently described as kind and helpful, assisting with luggage storage, shuttle arrangements and local information; some guests noted specific helpful service at the front desk.
Meals and dining generally positive
Several reviews mentioned good breakfasts and generous dinners/buffets included with the stay, with some guests describing the dinner as delicious and plentiful.
Good value and useful services
Guests felt the hotel offered reasonable value for price—compliments included free/available parking when guided by staff, luggage holding before/after check‑in, and practical amenities like laundry.
Negative Reviews
Aged and in‑need of renovation
Many guests reported the property is worn or dated: corridors, rooms and some bath areas show visible aging and would benefit from refurbishment or better maintenance.
Cleanliness concerns and mold reports
Several reviews reported cleanliness problems ranging from dust and grime to mould in bathrooms and dirty yukata; a few guests described the condition as poor enough to make them uncomfortable.
Small or uncomfortable rooms and fittings
Complaints included small or cramped rooms, tatami/futon comfort issues or thin tatami, bathroom conditions inside rooms being inferior, and some fixtures needing repair.
Communication, booking and service issues
A few guests experienced service problems such as booking/reservation mistakes, unexpected extra charges, limited English information at check‑in and staff not always able to explain meal items or procedures to non‑Japanese speakers.
Onsen restrictions and limited availability
Some guests were disappointed by onsen policies (no tattoos allowed) and operational limits (onsen closed during certain daytime hours); a few also noted hygiene concerns around some onsen areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ryokan has multiple indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths fed by the Yubatake source, offering 100% source spring flow with visible mineral ‘yunohana’ deposits.
Yes — private reservable hot-spring baths are available on request; advance notice is recommended.
Rooms are Japanese-style with tatami and futon and accommodate different group sizes depending on room type (typically 2–6); extra beds and cots are not available, and children aged 3 and older are charged as adults unless a specific child rate is shown.
A free shuttle is available from Kusatsu Bus Terminal and the ryokan can arrange pickup if notified; the nearest JR station (Naganohara Kusatsuguchi) is about a 20-minute drive.
Guests generally travel from Tokyo airports by train or highway bus to the JR area or Kusatsu Bus Terminal, then use the local shuttle or taxi to the ryokan; plan for a combined train/bus transfer when coming from major airports.
Standard check‑in is between 14:00 and 18:00, and check‑out is by 10:00.
Staff can assist in basic English and the property also receives guests speaking Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese, though proficiency may vary by shift.
The ryokan serves traditional multi‑course Japanese meals featuring local vegetables and high‑quality beef; please notify the ryokan in advance of any dietary restrictions or requests.
Pets are not permitted on the premises; private use of individual reservable baths is possible by request, while full-property private hire should be discussed directly with the property.
The ryokan is a short walk from Yubatake and the town center with shops and restaurants, about a 10‑minute drive to Kusatsu International Ski Resort; guests can enjoy wearing yukata in town, local walks, on-site massages and karaoke.