EKINARIYA RYOKAN -Facilities & Hot Spring Reports (2)-
| Exterior view of Ekinariya | |
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| The entrance and lobby was well cleaned and the keyaki (zelkova) corridor gleamed brilliantly. In one corner, next to the irori (sunken hearth), the landlady's handmade pressed flower artwork was beautifully displayed. | |
| Entrance and Lobby | |
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| Of course, the highlight of the inn is its onsen. The large public bath at Ekinariya is called “Benten-no-Yu”. It uses “Shirahata-no-Yu”, one of the 6 main sources of Kusatsu Onsen. This source is located near Yubatake, and is classified as a “Acidic, Sulfur containing - Aluminum - Sulfate/Chloride springs” with a pH of 2.0. It is said to be especially good for chronic skin diseases, chronic women's diseases, diabetes, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cuts, burns, and weak constitution in children. |
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| Large Public Bath “Benten-no-Yu” men's bath | |
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| Of course, the hot water is 100% free-flowing from the source. Because of the abundance of hot spring water, not only Ekinariya but also most inns do not use a circulation and filtration system for secondary use (recycling) of hot water, but always pour fresh hot water into the bathtub and overflow it. The hot water has powerful disinfecting and bactericidal effects. The slightly muddy white water may seem mysterious, but we hope you will soak in the superb hot water and let the hot spring soak into your body's core. Due to the strong quality of Kusatsu Onsen, several nearby hot spring areas have been established as "Kusatsu-no-Agariyu", where people go to cleanse their skin after a hot-spring cure. Shima Onsen is one of them. This large public bath “Benten-no-Yu” was newly renovated in March 2008. The bathtub frame and washing area are made of top-grade knot-free hinoki cypress, creating a luxurious bathing environment. The combination of superb hot water and premium hinoki cypress is truly perfect. With such wonderful spring water, an open-air bath is not necessary. Close your eyes and focus on the warmth of the hot spring, and fully enjoy your bath. |
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| Large Public Bath “Benten-no-Yu” women's bath | |
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| Ekinariya is also a member of the “Wafu-mura”, a group of 14 long-established inns that have come together to recreate Kusatsu Onsen as it used to be in the good old days. When staying at one of the 14 inns, guests can purchase a “Yumeguri Tegata (Hot Spring Tour Pass)” valid for up to three persons, 1,000 yen, tax included. The experience begins with a visit to Kusatsuyama Kosenji Temple's “Yakushido”. At the temple office, guests receive a goshuin (official red seal) on their Yumeguri Tegata, officially marking their participation. Then, they can visit and enjoy the private indoor baths of their chosen inns. An additional bathing fee of 1,000 yen per person (tax included) is required to enter the baths. As a souvenir, each participating inn stamps the Yumeguri Tegata upon entry. Those who complete 5 baths are considered to have fulfilled the full course and receive a certificate of appreciation and a commemorative gift. The Yumeguri Tegata is valid for two years, allowing guests to take their time exploring. Each of the baths has a different quality of spring water, and it is fun to enjoy bathing in the differently designed baths. |
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| Signboard of “Uchiyu-meguri” in Wafu-mura | |
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At the entrance to Ekinariya, there was a signboard of “Wafu-mura Uchiyu-meguri”. |
| Inside the inn, there is a Pressed Flower Art Gallery. The artwork of the landlady, Ms. Kimie Uchibori, and the young landlady, Ms. Akie, are displayed in various places. These works are made without any artificial coloring or chemicals, yet they mysteriously retain their vibrant colors for a long time without fading. Guests can purchase these beautiful pieces, but the pressed flower experience led by the landlady and young landlady is also very popular. Participants can create their own pressed flower art on a postcard-sized board, using flowers that the landlady has carefully collected over the years. The finished piece can be taken home as a memorable souvenir. A framed 20cm × 20cm pressed flower artwork is available for 4,500 yen (tax excluded). This experience is highly recommended as a unique and lasting memory of a trip to Kusatsu Onsen. |
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| “Pressed Flower Art Gallery” | |
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| Young landlady's pressed flower artworks | |
EKINARIYA RYOKAN Travel Journal
Articles
The original founding of Ekinariya Ryokan dates back to the late Edo period, making it a long-established inn with a history of 140 years. At that time, Kusatsu Onsen’s Yubatake area, extending to where Ekinariya now stands, was within the domain of the local magistrate’s estate. After World War II, the ryokan was initially opened as a ryotei (Japanese-style restaurant). In 1969, the current owner’s predecessor officially registered Ekinariya as an inn, marking the beginning of its new chapter as a ryokan. The current building is unchanged from 1969,......
Private & Open-air Bath Reports
Each room at Ekinariya comes with its own private bath. Upon check-in, guests receive the key to their private bath along with their room key. In other words, for every 6 guest rooms......
Facilities & Hot Spring Reports
Kusatsu Onsen, located in the northwestern part of Gunma Prefecture, Jyoshu, is a well-known hot spring in Japan. It has 6 main sources, including “Jizou”, “Yubatake”, “Shirahata”, “Sainokawara”, “Bandaikou”, and “Wata-no-Yu”......
Guest Room Reports
There are a total of 6 guest rooms, all in traditional Japanese style. Each room has a slightly different layout. In wooden buildings, sound can sometimes travel between rooms, but at this inn, there is no need to worry about that......
Cuisine Reports
At Ekinariya, meals are generally served in private dining rooms located near the guest rooms. However, since there are only 5 dining rooms for 6 guest rooms,......
Extra Reports
Located in the heart of the hot spring area, “Yubatake” is a symbol of Kusatsu Onsen. It is a hot spring source that flows in the town center, surrounded by a well-maintained rotary. By the way,......
| Keywords for this ryokan | |||
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| 6 guest rooms and 6 private baths | |||
| All bathtubs are 100% free-flowing hot spring water | |||
| Large public bath “Benten-no-Yu” filled with the aroma of hinoki cypress | |||
| A private and secluded inn for adults | |||
| The owner-chef's exquisite cuisine made with carefully selected local ingredients |
| Check-In | 2:00 p.m. | ||
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| Check-Out | 10:00 a.m. | ||
| Card usage | Available | ||
| Room Views | Mountains, Townscape | ||
| In-room Meal | Not available (private dining room) | ||
| Dinner | Japanese cuisine | ||
| Breakfast | Japanese cuisine | ||
| Official website's online reservation benefits | 【Best Rate (Lowest Price) Guarantee】The most economical rates are available for reservations through official website. | ||
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| Special Packages | For details of special offers such as official website limited plans and limited time plans, etc., please check the Official Website★ | ||
| Plan A guest room (Capacity of 2 persons) |
From 24,350 yen Up Charge for the day before holiday 2,200 yen ※Layout is 10 tatami mats Japanese-style room + Veranda + T + Private bath with free-flowing hot spring water |
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| Plan B guest room (Capacity of 2 to 4 persons) |
From 26,550 yen Up Charge for the day before holiday 2,200 yen ※Layout is 12 tatami mats or more Japanese-style room + Private bath with free-flowing hot spring water |
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| Establishment / Reconstruction | Established: 1969 / Reconstructed: 2008 | ||
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| Number of Rooms | All 6 rooms | ||
| Number of People Accommodated | 16 persons | ||
| Private bath | Charge : Free of charge for overnight stay Usage hours : 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. the next day Reservation method : Each room is given a key to 1 private bath (you can occupy the private bath). View : Garden |
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| Large public bath and other | Public open-air baths for men and women: None Large public “hinoki” baths for men and women: Available (※Switching between men and women: not available) |
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| Parking Area | 6 cars | ||
| Pets | Not allowed | ||
| Barrier Free | Not supported | ||
| Esthetics / Massages | Massages: Yes(4,000 yen/40 min. tax not included) | ||
| Internet | Wi-Fi available | ||
| DVD | - | ||
| TV Channels | NHK: 2 stations, Private Broadcasting: 5 stations, NHKBS: 2 stations | ||
| Facilities | - | ||
| Refrigerator System | Declare only what you use (space for drinks you bring in/freezer not available) ※At breakfast, it is checked once Drinks in the refrigerator: Medium-bottled beer, Juices (orange, cider, coke) |
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| Vending Machine | - | ||
| Sales shop | - | ||
| Yukata | ◎ | Bath towels | ◎ |
| Towels | ◎ | Soap | ◎ |
| Body wash | ◎ | Shampoo | ◎ |
| Conditioner | ◎ | Rinse in shampoo | ◎ |
| Shower cap | ◎ | Toothbrush | ◎ |
| Hair dryer | ◎ | Brush | ◎ |
| Comb | ◎ | Razor blade | ◎ |
| Cotton bud | ◎ | Toilet with washer | ◎ |
| Wheelchair | － | ||
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| Child | Children's slippers / Children's yukata / Children's tableware / Hot water for powdered milk | ||
| Foreign Languages | English | ||
| Recommended Souvenirs | Hanayura lotion | ||
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| Nearby Convenience Store | 1 min. on foot | ||
| Cellular Antennas | ◎docomo | ◎au | ◎softbank |
| Charges | － | ||
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| Usage time | － | ||
| ※With meal plan (reservation required) | |||
| Charges | － | ||
| Meal Details | － | ||
| Settlement Date | － | ||
| Usage Time | － | ||
| Other | － | ||
| Spring quality | Acidic, Sulfur containing ― Aluminum ― Sulfate/Chloride springs (Shirahata source / Yubatake source) | ||
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| Temperature of the source | 53.6～53.9℃ | ||
| Output rate | － | ||
| Hydrogen ion | pH 2.0 | ||
| Total dissolved substances (excluding gases) | － | ||
| Gushing of the source | Sources centrally controlled in Kusatsu town and then distributed to each ryokan | ||
| Add water / Circulation Filtration | All baths are 100% free-flowing hot spring water | ||
| Water heating | No | ||
| Disinfection of bath | No | ||
| Replacement of hot water in bathtub | Once every 5 days (once every 2 days for private baths) | ||
| Bath Additives | No using | ||
| Indications by Spring Quality (Revised on July 1, 2014) | Plaque psoriasis, Impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes), Epidermal suppuration, Atopic dermatitis, Chronic eczema, Cuts, Peripheral circulatory disturbance, Sensitivity to cold, Depression, Dry skin | ||
| General Indications for Bathing (Revised on July 1, 2014) | Chronic pain or stiffness of muscles or joints (chronic phase of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, etc.), muscle stiffness in motor paralysis, sensitivity to cold, peripheral nerve disorder, decline of gastrointestinal function (slow digestion, intestinal gas formation, etc.), mild high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes), mild hypercholesterolemia, mild asthma or emphysema, hemorrhoidal pain, autonomic instability, various symptoms from stress (sleep disorders, depression, etc.),convalescence stage of illness, recovery from fatigue, promotion of health. | ||
| Color of water | Somewhat cloudy white | ||
| For drinking | Cannot | ||
| Indications for drinking | ― | ||
| Smell / Taste | Sulfur smell | ||
| By Train | JR Azuma Line Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station, 25 min. by JR bus to Kusatsu Onsen BT, 8 min. walk from Kusatsu Bus BT | ||
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| Shuttle bus | Available (bus stop) | ||
| By Car | Kanetsu Expressway Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, approx. 90 min. | ||
| Nearby Sightseeing Spots | Yubatake, Nishi-no-Kawahara, Mt. Shirane (except in winter) | ||
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| Recreation (tourist farms, parks, etc.) | Japanese-style village, Indoor baths tour | ||
| Sports | Kusatsu International Ski Resort, Kusatsu Country Club, Kusatsu Kogen Golf Course | ||
| Staff messages | Message from Ms. Akie Uchibori, the young landlady Besides public baths for men and women, each room has its own private hot spring bath. There is no time limit, so you can enjoy the hot spring “anytime” and “as long as you like”. |
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| Date of Interview | Nov. 11, 2008 | ||
| Date of Information update | Jul. 04, 2023 | ||
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※When making a reservation, please mention that you saw "kashikiri-onsen.com" |
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Article creator of this ryokan
CEO of Onsen.com Co.,Ltd.
For more than 30 years, he has been visiting hot spring ryokans all over Japan, persuading innkeepers of the need for "private baths". He is still a traveler who spends half of the year at a hot spring. In addition to being a article creater, photographer, and drone pilot, he also designs websites and provides consulting services.
