What kind of onsen ryokan is Ekinariya Ryokan?
This is a small authentic onsen ryokan in Kusatsu Onsen. The property is not luxurious, but very cozy with a long history. If you are a hot spring freak, I would recommend it. Each room has an indoor private hot spring. Actually, it would be hard to find a room with a private hot spring in Kusatsu Onsen. The spring quality is simply wonderful. The water temperature in Kusatsu Onsen tends to be high so you can adjust the temperature with tap water when you use your private one. We spent a lot of time jumping in and out of our private one. There are 6 rooms only. The ambiance is serene, tranquil, and quaint. It would be great for couples, families, or small groups. *It cannot accommodate solo travelers.
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Is the location easy to access?
Yes, it would be easy, but it takes 240min by bus. If this is your first-time visit to Kusatsu Onsen, you may want to take an express bus at Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, Shibuya Mark City high-speed bus stop, or Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit. Then get off at Kusatsu-Onsen Bus Terminal and just a 5min walk to the property. The location is perfect if you want to take a walk around Yubatake in Yukata.
Alternatively, Kusatsu Onsen can be reached by express train from Ueno Station, but it is not recommended because you need to change to a bus on the way. If you want to know how to get there by train, please comment below. More detailed information is provided here.
Rooms I would recommend?
Basically, you wouldn’t be able to request which room you want to stay in. Each room has its own private indoor hot spring. Each private one is located inside the building, but a little away from the rooms. You can use it whenever you like during your stay.
The rooms are Japan minimalistic, well-maintained, clean, and relaxed. There is no nice view from the property, though. Then if you don’t want to sleep on Japanese-style mattresses in the tatami rooms, you should find others. There is no room with western beds.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including minimum toiletries, yukatas, Japanese tea set, cold water, humidifier, etc. There is a convenience store nearby. Room service is not available. Free Wi-Fi reception was very slow in our room.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful communal indoor hot springs. There is no outdoor one. We never met other guests when we soaked in the communal bath. It seems that most of the guests seldom use them as each room has a private one. The spring quality is very smooth, thick, and creamy. The water temperature tends to be high. They are open for 24 hours.
Then if you bring people with weak feet, I wouldn’t recommend it as there are some steep steps and no lift. The building is aged with a long history. This is not a universal design.
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How about meals?
The Japanese cuisine for dinner was good, but it wouldn’t be special. You might want to go out for dinner. There are many local restaurants and small stalls around the property. You must be excited to hang out around there in Yukata. Then Japanese-style breakfast served in a banquet hall was good. After breakfast, the staff provided coffee in our room.
My impressions
All staff was very friendly, warm and helpful but it seems that there is no English speaker. If you have a specific request, you might want to inform the staff by email in advance. welcome@ekinariya.com I’m sure they will do their best.
Overall if you want to get much of an immersive authentic onsen ryokan experience as you expect, it would be one of the best in Kusatsu Onsen.
Anyway, the best season to stay here would be in the winter season. Because you can fully enjoy both skiing and hot springs. There is a shuttle service linking Kusatsu Onsen and Kusatsu ski resort. Refer to the timetable. At last, don’t forget to visit the “Kusatsu Yumomi Show” if you are keen on it. Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the property from the below space. *If you check-in after 16:00, inform staff of it in advance. Check Availability and Pricing for the onsen ryokan on Agoda
Info about Ekinariya Ryokan
| Style | Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
14:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 40,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | welcome@ekinariya.com |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Not wheelchair-accessible No pets allowed |
| Location | Ekinariya Ryokan’s MAP |
| Access | Just 5min walk from Kusatsu-Onsen Bus Terminal |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Ekinariya Ryokan’s HP |
*All information is as of the date that I posted on my blog.