Video summary

草津温泉のコスパ最強の旅館＆ホテルおすすめ10選！

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Lifestyle

Summary of the video (Kusatsu Onsen “best value” inns & hotels)

About Kusatsu Onsen

  • Kusatsu Onsen is a hot spring resort in Kusa-machi, Kamitsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture, at the eastern foot of Mt. Shirane.
  • It’s known for extremely abundant water flow (over 32,300 liters/min) and is famous as one of Japan’s three great hot springs.
  • The town’s hot spring water is described as highly purified, with strong antibacterial properties and a reputation for helping visitors.

Main “best value” stay picks (weekday, 1–2 nights for 2 people)

The video emphasizes cost performance, and notes that each facility’s details/links are in the description.

1) Iwatake (paid room / open-air bath) — “soak while looking at the hot spring”

  • Highlight: The only inn in Kusatsu Onsen where you can enjoy an open-air bath while gazing at Kusatsu’s hot spring water.
  • Price mentioned: about 20,000 yen for 2 people / 2 nights (weekday).
  • Food: dinner + breakfast, including Japanese seasonal dinner featuring Gunma ingredients (local produce, wild vegetables, mushrooms).
  • Hot spring: water from the Shirahata no Ie source; available 24 hours.
  • Setting/amenities: Japanese-style calm rooms with nature views; large lobby + local shop.
  • Access: ~20 min bus from Naganohara-Kusaguchi Station (JR) → Kusatsu Onsen.

2) Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Resort

  • Highlight: A ryokan on a hill with nature views; access to group hotel hot springs.
  • Price mentioned: about 16,000 yen for 2 people / 1 night (weekday).
  • Food: Satoyama-style seasonal breakfast; chef-prepared Gunma specialty dish mentioned.
  • Hot springs:
    • Large public bath with oil-rich waters from Bada Kogen
    • Open-air bath with rock/steam scenery
    • Also access to hot springs from two group hotels + Nishinokawa hot spring
  • Access: ~25 min bus to Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal + walk/shuttle.

3) Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Iriyukiha

  • Highlight: Nature-rich area with a riverside park and Tenguyama ski resort nearby (directly in front).
  • Price mentioned: 13,640 yen for 2 people on weekday (1-night/2-day plan), with shuttle + hot spring drink (Ancha) + breakfast buffet.
  • Food: breakfast buffet includes Japanese/Chinese items; pasta with seasonal vegetables, chicken wings, shrimp chili, pork dishes mentioned.
  • Hot springs:
    • Large public bath + open-air bath
    • Uses spring from Mandai Kogen (100 liters/min mentioned).
  • Access: ~25 min bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station (JR Agatsuma Line).

4) Kusa Onsen Yunoyadoya (Yoshiya)

  • Highlight: Low-cost inn in the center of town.
  • Price mentioned: about 18,000 yen for 2 people (weekday, 1-night/2-day).
  • Perks: free drinks in the lobby + free light breakfast (bread, yogurt, soup); no dinner included.
  • Rooms: twin rooms (non-smoking or smoking options).
  • Hot springs: “Airy” men’s bath + modern airy women’s bath; hot spring use described as available almost all day long.
  • Nearby food: okonomiyaki, chicken, tempura; also soba shops recommended by the inn.
  • Access: ~25 min bus + short local transit.

5) Kusatsu Onsen Junior Ryokan

  • Highlight: 1-minute walk from the symbol bath; famous for rare free-flowing hot spring water.
  • Price mentioned: about 17,000 yen for 2 people (weekday, 1-night/2-day).
  • Rooms: calm 12-tatami Japanese-style room.
  • Meals:
    • Standard plan: no meals
    • Dinner plan (extra charge): mentions Gunma mochi/soy milk hot pot
  • Hot springs:
    • Must-see 100% free-flowing Iwa-gensen water
    • Roofless open-air bath
    • Popular for soaking while watching the night sky/stars
  • Atmosphere: traditional-rack history vibe (wind-up clocks, bamboo lighting).
  • Access: bus to Kusatsu Onsen terminal + ~3 min walk.

6) Iijimama (Kusa Onsen)

  • Highlight: An inn for exploring town; met by a resident parakeet (“Pi-chan”) and host Naokami (friendly hospitality theme).
  • Price mentioned: about 10,960 yen for 2 people (weekday, 1-night).
  • Hot springs:
    • Soak in Yunoyu + Watanoyu (described as precious even within Kusatsu)
    • 24-hour continuous hot spring water
    • Separate men/women large baths + two private baths
  • Rooms: tatami; kotatsu provided in winter.
  • Meals:
    • Standard: no meals
    • Example 1-night/2-meal plan: beef sukiyaki (seasonal)
  • Nearby spots: Netsu-no-yu (town symbol; Yumomi-sho) and Nishikawa Park.
  • Access: ~28 min bus + 2 min walk.

7) Hotel Tasatsu Onsen

  • Highlight: Quiet, non-smoking-focused stay surrounded by nature (Belz Forest).
  • Price mentioned: weekday 1-night for 2 people—subtitle contains a corrupted number, but says high cost-performance and “reviews mention” it.
  • Rooms: Western-style twin with futons + natural light.
  • Meals: not included; convenience store nearby + many town restaurants.
  • Hot springs:
    • Two indoor baths + one open-air bath
    • Plus a private bath where you can enjoy Kusa no Yu
  • Amenities: microwave on site for meals purchased outside.
  • Access: bus ~25 min + about 15 min walk.

8) Kusa Onsen Matsumuraya Ryokan

  • Highlight: Traditional Meiji-era atmosphere; large wooden building with historical décor (including Jupiter-shaped lanterns).
  • Subtitle notes: garbled pricing; appears to say a high/unclear figure and discusses value with hot spring source included.
  • Hot spring: 100% natural, directly from the source, described as soft water.
  • Rooms: spacious Japanese rooms; tea time suggested.
  • Meals:
    • Room-only plan: no meals
    • Meal plan with extra beds: includes Japanese meal (grilled fish + thick-cut egg salad mentioned)
  • Location: right in front of the hot spring; good for strolling.
  • Access: bus ~25 min + ~6 min walk.

9) Kusa Onsen Tajima Ryokan

  • Highlight: Historic inn (running over 80 years), cozy “homestyle” feel; souvenir shop “Smarilka” with a raccoon dog mascot.
  • Price mentioned: widely ranging/unclear in subtitles (reads like 10,000–100,000 yen) but described as very cost-effective.
  • Perks: 100% carefully selected free-flowing hot spring water + free Wi‑Fi.
  • Rooms: modern Japanese-style with calming nature lighting.
  • Meals: guesthouse-style—meals not included, but many nearby restaurants/cafes.
  • Hot spring: Kusatsu Onsen bath in large bath overlooking “seeds” (wording likely imperfect).
  • Atmosphere: folk art displays + scent described as enveloping guests.
  • Access: ~25 min bus + about 1 min walk.

10) Ryokan Kumogumo

  • Highlight: Extremely close to the hot spring source (15-second walk).
  • Spring: draws from Shirahata hot spring, known for milky white water.
  • Price mentioned: about 18,000 yen for 2 people (weekday, 1 night).
  • Hot springs:
    • Cypress bath with milky white Shirahata water
    • Available 24 hours
  • Rooms: spacious Japanese-style room with TV; tatami scent relaxation theme.
  • Meals: not included, but many nearby places to eat.
  • Nearby sightseeing: Shiraneyama no Yu and Watanabe Farm (soft-serve ice cream).
  • Access: ~25 min bus + short walk.

Closing notes from the video

  • The presenter recaps that they shared “best value” options and encourages viewers to use the facility links in the description.

Notable locations / products / features mentioned

  • Hot springs & sources: Shirahata no Ie, Bada Kogen, Mandai Kogen, Iwa-gensen (free-flowing), Yunoyu & Watanoyu, Nishinokawa hot spring, Kusa no Yu, Netsu-no-yu (Yumomi-sho), Shiraneyama no Yu, Shirahata milky white water.
  • Area landmarks: Mt. Shirane, Tenguyama ski resort, Belz Forest, riverside park.
  • Food/drink highlights: Gunma seasonal meals (wild vegetables/mushrooms), Satoyama breakfast, mochi present soy milk hot pot, beef sukiyaki, Ancha (hot spring drink), soft-serve at Watanabe Farm.
  • Named facilities/picks: Iwatake Observation Open-Air Bath, Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Resort, Hotel Iriyukiha, Kusa Onsen Yunoyadoya (Yoshiya), Kusatsu Onsen Junior Ryokan, Iijimama (with Pi-chan), Hotel Tasatsu Onsen, Matsumuraya Ryokan, Tajima Ryokan (Smarilka raccoon dog), Ryokan Kumogumo.

Original video