LiVEMAX RESORT Kusatsu Onsen
7,3/10 Very good - Based on 289 reviews
LiVEMAX RESORT Kusatsu Onsen presents a modern take on a traditional hot-spring inn, positioned to serve visitors to Kusatsu’s thermal district. The property blends Japanese and Western design across its public areas and guest rooms, and operates with a 24-hour front desk, on-site restaurant and spa facilities that include a public hot-spring bath, an open-air bath area and a sauna. As a ryokan with onsen in Gunma, it aims to combine convenient guest services—luggage storage, free Wi‑Fi and private parking—with easy access to hiking and sightseeing around the town.
Guest accommodation ranges from compact twin rooms to larger Japanese–Western suites; standard amenities listed for rooms include air conditioning, flat-screen TV, refrigerator and electric kettle, while some units add a terrace or microwave. Selected room types feature their own semi-open-air hot-spring bath directly off the room, providing a private bathing option without using the shared facilities, and a limited number of pet-friendly rooms are offered. The evening meal and breakfast are served in the hotel dining area, typically as a buffet with regional selections, and multilingual staff assist with local recommendations. The property is described as a ryokan with onsen Gumma and provides both communal and in-room bathing choices.
Facilities emphasize practical comfort for short stays or multi-night visits: a family-friendly restaurant, a public onsen zone, coin-laundry and optional bicycle rental are available, and the layout includes lifts for easier luggage handling. The resort is regularly used as a base to visit nearby natural attractions, with one popular volcanic peak and other regional highlights reachable by car or local transport in under an hour. For travelers seeking a mix of private in-room bathing and shared thermal facilities in Kusatsu’s hot-spring area, the resort offers a straightforward, service-focused option.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: LiVEMAX RESORT Kusatsu Onsen
Positive Reviews
Good food and buffet selection
Many guests praised the quality of meals — buffet-style breakfast and dinner were frequently described as tasty and varied.
Relaxing onsen and private baths
Visitors highlighted the onsen experience, private in-room baths and sauna as major positives, noting they could relax without time pressure.
Spacious, comfortable rooms and amenities
Multiple reviews mentioned large, comfortable rooms with nice bathrooms, good amenities (yukata, toiletries) and enjoyable bathtub features.
Quiet location within walking distance of centre
Guests appreciated the peaceful setting while still being within a 10–15 minute walk to the town centre or main attractions; some also noted free parking.
Friendly staff and helpful service
Several guests reported polite and helpful staff and generally good service during their stay.
Negative Reviews
Odours, dampness and mildew in bathrooms
A number of reviews reported unpleasant smells — cigarette odor in one room and damp or mouldy smells in bathrooms and floors, sometimes attributed to wooden flooring or ventilation issues.
Steep hills and walking distance to attractions
Several guests found the route to the main hot-spring area steep or a somewhat long walk (around 10–15 minutes), which may be difficult for some visitors.
Cleanliness and maintenance issues
Some reviewers noted cleanliness or maintenance problems such as mildew, unclean areas under beds, broken blinds in room baths and cold changing rooms in the large baths.
Service inconsistencies and language barriers
A few guests experienced service problems — staff perceived as inflexible, lack of training in handling requests (e.g. food preferences, receipts), limited responses to messages and difficulties communicating detailed requests due to language.
Value concerns and pricing
At least one review described the property as overpriced for the facilities and service received, indicating expectations were not met relative to the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types vary from single/twin to suites; most rooms accommodate 1–4 guests depending on the room type. Check the specific room description when booking to confirm maximum occupancy.
Yes — the property offers public hot-spring baths, an open-air bath and a sauna, and many room types include a semi‑open‑air (half‑roten) private bath. Public baths follow usual onsen etiquette; towels and bathing rules are posted at the facility.
There is no regular airport shuttle; the usual route is train to Naganohara‑Kusatsuguchi Station then a local bus to Kusatsu Bus Terminal, after which the hotel is a short walk. If you need assistance with transfers, contact the hotel in advance to ask about any limited shuttle services or private transfers.
Take the shinkansen or express to Takasaki and then the JR or limited‑express service to Naganohara‑Kusatsuguchi; from there take the JR connection bus to Kusatsu Bus Terminal and walk to the hotel. Driving via the Kan‑etsu and local routes is also possible; parking is available on site.
Staff primarily use Japanese; English support may be limited. If you need language assistance, request it in advance or bring a translation app for smoother communication.
Standard check‑in is from 15:00 with the latest check‑in typically by 21:00; check‑out is at 11:00. If you expect to arrive after the stated latest check‑in, notify the hotel ahead of time.
Some rooms have private semi‑open‑air baths for exclusive use; requests for private family baths should be made in advance and are subject to availability. Pets are not automatically permitted in all room types — contact the hotel before booking to confirm pet policies or designated pet rooms.
The resort operates an on‑site restaurant with buffet service for breakfast and dinner featuring local ingredients and seasonal menus. Typical restaurant hours include an evening service around 17:30–22:00, but times and menus can change seasonally so check with the hotel.
The ryokan sits in Kusatsu Onsen town, with the famous Yubatake hot‑spring field, onsens, hot‑water attractions and local souvenir streets reachable by a short bus or walk from the bus terminal. Outdoor options include drives and hikes around Mt. Kusatsu‑Shirane and seasonal sightseeing in the surrounding national park areas.
On‑site parking is available (limited spaces), and the town centre near Yubatake has convenience stores, souvenir shops and restaurants within easy reach by bus or a short walk. For larger supermarkets or special items you may need to travel to nearby towns or plan ahead.