Hotel Spax Kusatsu
8,2/10 Excellent - Based on 284 reviews
Hotel Spax Kusatsu perches on a gentle hillside above Kusatsu’s main hot-spring district, offering rooms with private balconies and steady views over the surrounding forested slopes. The property blends a compact hotel layout with ryokan touches: tatami-style elements in some rooms, a single on-site restaurant serving Japanese-style meals, an indoor pool and sauna, and a reception team available around the clock. Its setting places guests within easy reach of the town’s core thermal features and the parklands that frame Kusatsu’s year-round outdoor activities.
The bathing facilities are the hotel’s focal point: communal indoor baths and an open-air bath are supplied directly from the local Bandai source and operated as natural, continuously flowing thermal water. The spring water used here registers very high temperature at source and a strong acidity, and the hotel maintains kakenagashi (free-flowing) onsen circulation in its public baths so guests experience waters close to their natural condition. Bathing hours and the use of the outdoor tub are organised on a rotating basis to balance relaxation and privacy, making the property a straightforward choice for travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen in Kusatsu, Gumma.
Practical conveniences underline a relaxed stay: shuttle connectivity to the Kusatsu bus terminal and short taxi access from the regional rail hub, complimentary on-site parking, and a compact number of guestrooms that keep public areas calm at peak times. The combination of locally sourced thermal water, a modest range of wellness amenities and a setting that favours easy access to town attractions positions the hotel as a convenient base for exploring Kusatsu’s hot-spring culture. For visitors focused on bathing experience rather than private in-room baths, it represents a clear example of a ryokan with onsen in Gunma.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Spax Kusatsu
Positive Reviews
Good onsen facilities
Many guests praised the onsen (outdoor and indoor), describing it as nice, spacious and a highlight of their stay.
Excellent food and presentation
Reviews frequently mention delicious breakfasts and kaiseki-style dinners — well planned, plentiful portions and beautifully presented small dishes.
Attentive, helpful staff
Staff are repeatedly described as courteous, accommodating and helpful (including arranging shuttle pickup), which made guests feel welcome and well looked after.
Comfortable Japanese‑style rooms
Guests enjoyed the Japanese‑style accommodation — rooms were described as spacious, comfortable and suitable for families, often with pleasant views from the balcony.
Quiet location with good views, near attractions
The hotel’s position above town gives a quieter stay and nice views, while still being within walking distance of Yubatake/park for many reviewers.
Negative Reviews
Steep uphill access
Numerous guests noted the hotel sits on high ground — the walk from the station or back from town is steep and can be difficult with luggage or for elderly visitors.
Dated facilities and maintenance needs
Several reviews mention the property feels a bit dated and in need of refreshment, citing dusty windows, worn furnishings, paper sliding doors needing repair and even mold stains in one room.
Onsen cleanliness and safety concerns
A few guests raised concerns about cleanliness or safety of some onsen areas (an off‑site/outdoor bath), and noted times when no staff were present to assist, especially for female guests.
Slow dining service / timing issues
At least one guest experienced lengthy dinner service that interfered with sightseeing (missed park entry), and others noted inconsistent pacing during meals.
Occasional small amenity or food issues
A minority of reviews mentioned specific problems such as no drinking water provided in rooms, a dry steak at dinner, toilet issues, or breakfast value concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some Japanese-style rooms sleep up to five guests on futons, and the hotel offers family-room layouts and tatami-corner options; cribs and extra beds are not available and maximum occupancy cannot be exceeded.
The hotel uses Kusatsu’s Bandai source (Bandai-gensen) with continuous natural flow; baths include indoor public baths, an open-air bath (rotating use) and a sauna, and the hot spring is available 24 hours with attention advised for sensitive skin.
Yes — the property runs shuttle service between Kusatsu Bus Terminal and the hotel; guests should contact the hotel on arrival or note arrival time so the on-demand shuttle can be arranged.
Most visitors take the Limited Express to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi and then a JR bus (about 25 minutes) to Kusatsu Bus Terminal; there are also direct highway buses from Tokyo/Shinjuku to Kusatsu for a simpler single-vehicle option.
Japanese is the primary language; staff can provide basic assistance in English for common guest needs, and you should notify the hotel in advance for more complex language support.
The ryokan serves Japanese-style meals with breakfast and kaiseki-style dinner available in the on-site restaurant; inform the hotel ahead of time about dietary restrictions or special requests.
The hotel is in Kusatsu Onsen town with easy access to Yubatake (the central hot-water field), local shops and restaurants; outdoor options include walking routes and Mount Kusatsu-Shirane a short drive away.
Kusatsu is compact but hilly; many sights around Yubatake are walkable, while the hotel shuttle and local buses help with steeper sections and longer trips.
The property’s facilities are primarily public baths and an open-air bath; guests with visible tattoos may be restricted from public bathing, so ask the hotel about private/family-bath options or arrangements before arrival.
Pets are not permitted at the hotel; convenience stores, souvenir shops and small supermarkets are clustered around Kusatsu Bus Terminal and the Yubatake area for essentials.