Kusatsu Onsen Kusatsu Hotel1913
8,9/10 Excellent - Based on 1579 reviews
Kusatsu Hotel 1913 occupies a preserved Taisho-era wooden structure in Kusatsu Onsen and presents a balance of historical character and practical facilities. The property comprises forty guest rooms: twenty-four western-style rooms with beds and sixteen traditional Japanese rooms with tatami and futons, plus a small number of rooms fitted with private hot spring baths. The hotel operates an annex called Bettei PEDALO that caters to cyclists with secure indoor bicycle storage and maintenance supplies, and meals are served in Okuniwa, a dining space opened in 2020 with an eight-metre high ceiling that emphasizes seasonal, health-conscious Japanese cuisine.
Bathing facilities center on the thermal waters for which Kusatsu is known: separate men’s and women’s public baths, an open-air option featured among the property’s bathing spaces, and private-bath options for guests who prefer more seclusion. A communal footbath near the lobby provides a casual way to sample the spring water. Guests should note the building’s historic layout includes many stairs and no elevator; some room types do not contain in-room showers so the large public baths remain the primary bathing experience. Renovation work is in progress and is scheduled for completion around January 2026.
Located in central Kusatsu Onsen, the hotel sits within easy walking distance of the town’s main hot-spring attractions and offers complimentary shuttle pickup from the Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal if arranged in advance. Staff communicate in English and Japanese, and the property’s mix of traditional rooms, public bathing culture and a limited selection of in-room hot spring baths make it a clear choice for travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen Gumma and for those specifically searching for a ryokan with private onsen Gumma within a historic setting. Practical details such as accessibility, bath etiquette and room fittings are best confirmed directly with the property before arrival.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kusatsu Onsen Kusatsu Hotel191…
Positive Reviews
Attentive, high‑quality service
Many reviewers praised the staff as welcoming, friendly and highly attentive, noting excellent service and helpful English communication at reception.
Authentic, charming traditional ryokan
Guests appreciated the ryokan's traditional character and tasteful restoration — warm, carefully chosen materials, yukata provided, and an atmospheric, historic feel.
Excellent onsen facilities
Multiple comments highlight very pleasant public baths, attractive onsen areas (including an outdoor foot bath) and comfortable private-bath options; some guests noted flexible tattoo policy when checked with reception.
Delicious Japanese meals
Dinner and breakfast were repeatedly described as excellent — high-quality, authentic Japanese cuisine that many guests called a highlight of their stay.
Convenient location, clean and comfortable rooms
Reviewers noted a great location near Kusatsu town center and Sainokawara Park, availability of parking, generally very clean rooms and comfortable sleeping arrangements (spacious tatami rooms or futon rooms for many).
Negative Reviews
Some areas feel dated / renovations in progress
A number of guests mentioned that parts of the property are aging and under renovation, so decor and some spaces can feel a bit worn.
Large dining room lacks atmosphere
Several reviews described the restaurant as very large and somewhat 'cold' or sparsely decorated, detracting from the otherwise intimate ryokan experience.
No private en‑suite bathroom in many rooms
Some travellers expected an in‑room private bathroom as advertised; instead, many rooms require use of the public onsen or booking a paid private bath at the hotel to wash.
Private onsen temperature issues
At least one guest reported that the private onsen they reserved was much too hot to comfortably immerse in, which limited use.
Traditional breakfast and amenities may not suit all Western guests
The fully traditional Japanese breakfast delights many but may include preparations unfamiliar to some Western visitors; a few noted small details like smaller slipper sizes and menu items that can be challenging for non‑Japanese palates.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hotel has 40 rooms (about 24 rooms with beds and 16 traditional Japanese-style rooms with futons); maximum occupancy varies by room so confirm the room’s capacity when booking. Extra beds and cribs are generally not available.
There are separate public baths for men and women, an open-air bath, a footbath near the lobby, and private baths available for reservation; the onsen follows traditional Japanese bathing practices and may restrict guests with visible tattoos.
Yes — private baths can be reserved at the front desk after check-in; speak to staff on arrival to arrange a time slot.
The hotel provides free pick-up from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal (please call on arrival) with service until early evening; there is no direct hotel shuttle from Tokyo airports, so follow public transfer options to the town.
Typical routes are a limited‑express train to Naganohara‑Kusatsuguchi Station followed by a local bus to Kusatsu Onsen, or a direct highway bus from Tokyo; from airports you first travel into Tokyo (train or airport bus) and then connect onward.
Staff can assist in English and Japanese, and some staff members speak Filipino; availability may vary, so notify the hotel if you need extra language support.
Meals are primarily Japanese-style and served in the hotel restaurant (Oku‑niwa); the hotel has limited ability to accommodate special dietary, vegetarian, or religious requests, so please notify them in advance.
The hotel is a short walk from Kusatsu’s central Yubatake hot water field, Sai‑no‑Kawara Park, the Onsen Museum and local shops and convenience stores in the town center.
Pets are not permitted and parties or events are not allowed; private use of the hotel’s public spaces is generally not available, though private baths can be reserved for small groups.
Check-in is mid‑afternoon and check-out is typically by about 10:00, and the hotel asks that you inform them if you expect to arrive late; the property is a historic wooden building with many stairs and no elevator, and the entrance may be closed during late‑night hours.