Harunako Onsen Yusuge
8,4/10 Excellent - Based on 246 reviews
Harunako Onsen Yusuge sits on the shore of Lake Haruna and offers a traditional ryokan experience with lake-facing tatami rooms, a small number of Western-style rooms and detached cottages. Main building rooms open onto broad windows that frame seasonal views of the lake and surrounding slopes, while cottages provide private outdoor space and direct access to heated water; most guest rooms are non-smoking and the property maintains quiet hours to preserve the lakeside atmosphere. This ryokan with onsen in Haruna, Gumma functions as a calm base for hiking, boating and short excursions around the mountain.
The baths are fed from a single on-site source and the listed composition includes sodium, magnesium and calcium with sulfate and chloride anions; the spring temperature is reported near 37°C and the facility operates a continuous flow system. Public bathing facilities comprise an indoor pool, an open-air bath and a sauna, and several detached cottages are advertised with their own source-fed soaking tubs for private use. Framed by the lake, the bathing program emphasizes sustained warmth after immersion and the mineral profile commonly associated with skin-conditioning effects, so visitors can choose shared communal bathing or a ryokan with private onsen in Gumma prefecture for greater privacy.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Harunako Onsen Yusuge
Positive Reviews
Beautiful lakeside setting
Multiple guests highlighted the hotel’s location right by the lake with superb views from rooms and outdoor areas—quiet, scenic and good for hiking, boating and seasonal activities.
Relaxing onsen and outdoor baths
The onsen (including outdoor baths) is frequently praised as large, mineral-rich and very relaxing; some guests noted 24/7 access except cleaning times and enjoyed the outdoor experience.
Delicious meals using local ingredients
Dinner and breakfast were often described as tasty, well presented and varied, with local and fresh ingredients—many guests felt the meals offered good value for the price.
Friendly, professional and helpful staff
Guests appreciated accommodating, professional staff who could assist in English, provide shuttle pickups from the bus stop and respond to special requests.
Traditional, spacious rooms and good value
Rooms with tatami and futons were described as spacious and comfortable, with useful in-room amenities (sink, fridge, toilet). Many reviewers considered the ryokan good value compared with alternatives.
Negative Reviews
Onsen cleanliness and maintenance concerns
Some guests reported hygiene issues (brown water, hair/dirt in the bath) or mold in changing/wash areas, and several described parts of the bathing facilities as old or in need of renovation.
Limited privacy and obstructed onsen views
A number of reviewers noted the outdoor onsen’s view is partially blocked by railings or faces the road, and there are no private baths for couples or tattooed guests, reducing privacy options.
No ensuite showers in rooms
Many stays lacked in-room showers or bathtubs—guests must use the communal onsen facilities for bathing, which was inconvenient for some visitors.
Breakfast and dinner limitations or booking requirements
Several guests experienced limited breakfast service (buffet reduced or not replenished) and noted dinner may require advance reservation or a multi-night booking; there are few dining options nearby outside meal times.
Noise, remoteness and some room condition issues
Reports include poor soundproofing (noise from other guests), the property being remote (long bus ride, limited nearby services), weak Wi‑Fi in some rooms, and occasional room odor or dust consistent with an older building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms are traditional Japanese-style with tatami and futons; standard rooms typically sleep up to four guests on futons. Cribs and extra beds are not available and children aged 4 and over are charged as adults.
The property offers a natural hot spring with indoor and open-air baths and a sauna, with lake views; guest access is generally available around the clock aside from short cleaning periods. Day-use bathing is offered during daytime hours.
Yes, the ryokan provides a complimentary pickup from the Harunako/Harunako Lake bus stop; guests should request this after booking or call the property to arrange pickup. Public buses also serve the Haruna/Lake Haruna area.
Matsumoto Airport is commonly cited as the closest regional airport (roughly 140–150 km); visitors from Tokyo usually travel by train or highway bus to Takasaki or Ikaho and then take a local bus toward Lake Haruna. From the final bus stop the ryokan offers a short pickup if arranged in advance.
Staff at the ryokan can assist in English and Japanese to help international guests. For detailed requests, informing the ryokan in advance is recommended.
You’ll stay in Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring and futon bedding; the ryokan serves Japanese meals focused on local mountain ingredients and offers set dinners and breakfast options. Private dining options are available for some plans.
The ryokan sits on Lake Haruna and is close to Harunasan Ropeway, Haruna Shrine, boating and fishing on the lake, hiking trails, and the Ikaho onsen area. Seasonal scenery and short local excursions are common draws.
By car use the Kan-etsu/relationship routes via Shibukawa‑Ikaho IC; on-site free parking is available for about 80 cars. By public transport take a train or highway bus to Takasaki or the bus to Harunako/Lake Haruna, then use the ryokan’s pickup if needed.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 to 20:00 and check-out is from 06:00 to 10:00; please notify the ryokan of your arrival time in advance. Note the property entrance is closed during late-night hours (overnight) so plan arrivals accordingly.
Pets are not allowed and the ryokan does not advertise pets on site; private/reservable baths are not clearly listed so please contact the property to request availability. The ryokan has an on-site souvenir shop and there are limited local stores around the lake, with larger supermarkets located in nearby towns such as Takasaki or Shibukawa.