EKINARIYA RYOKAN -Extra Reports (1)-
| Located in the center of the hot spring area, “Yubatake” is a symbol of Kusatsu Onsen. | |
| “Yubatake” | |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| The Yubatake is a source that springs in the center of the hot spring area, and is surrounded by a rotary-like structure. The design was commissioned by Taro Okamoto, who stayed at the mayor's hotel at the time. The hot spring water gushes out at a rate of 4,000 liters per minute and always makes a cloud of steam. Around Yubatake, visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll after a bath, with features such as footbaths and the “Shiranesan Bench”, shaped like Mt. Shirane. The final section, where the water cascades down like a waterfall, is a rare and luxurious sight not often seen in other hot spring areas. At night, Yubatake is illuminated, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere that offers a different charm from the daytime view, delighting visitors. |
|
| “Yubatake” at night | |
 |
 |
| Surrounding “Yubatake”, there are 18 free public bathhouses such as “Jizou-no-Yu”, “Shirahata-no-Yu” and “Nigawa-no-Yu”, which are located where the source of the hot spring gushes out. These bathhouses are not for tourists, but are the daily lives of local residents. Please use them with good manners, washing your body well before getting into the baths. Among them, “Chiyo-no-Yu” and “Jizou-no-Yu” are said to practice the traditional “Jikan-Yu” bathing method, where people bathe in the hot water for a set period of time under the guidance of the “Yucho” (bath leader). |
|
| Footbath “Yukemuretei” at “Yubatake” | |
 |
|
| Right next to “Yubatake”, there is a footbath called “Yukemuretei”. Since Kusatsu’s hot spring water is both high in temperature and highly acidic, even soaking your hands or feet for a few minutes provides a beneficial warming effect. “Yukemuretei” is a pavilion made of hinoki cypress that stands beside the Yubatake, and the structure is a recreation of “Matsu-no-Yu”, a public bathhouse that existed here in the Edo period (1603-1868). It is free to use. In front of “Yubatake”, there is a “Netsu-no-Yu” where visitors can watch a “Yumomi and Dance show”. Kusatsu women sing the Kusatsu-bushi (traditional Kusatsu folk song) while stirring the hot spring water with a wooden board (yumomi-ita) to lower the temperature of the water. This iconic scene is almost always featured whenever Kusatsu Onsen is introduced on TV programs. | |
| “Netsu-no-Yu” | |
 |
|
| In the lobby of the “Netsu-no-Yu” were the autographs of actors Toshiaki Karasawa and Hideaki Ito, who left their autographs when they stayed at Ekinariya in March 2004. They had just finished filming for the popular TV drama “Shiroi Kyotou (The Great White Tower)” and visited the inn. | |
| Signed by actors Toshiaki Karasawa and Hideaki Ito | |
 |
 |
| The left is autographs of Toshiaki Karasawa and the right is Hideaki Ito's. For souvenirs, the “Yuno Kaori Rakugan” is highly recommended. This traditional confection, made only from sugar and peas, is also served as a tea accompaniment. It is specially sourced from a confectionery shop in Maebashi. | |
| Tea accompaniment | |
 |
“Yuno Kaori Rakugan” is also available at the store. |
| For women, “Hanayura Lotion” (skin lotion) is very popular. | |
| “Hanayura Lotion” | |
 |
Hot spring cosmetics launched by the “Yunohana-kai”, a group of Kusatsu Onsen landladies. This lotion is made from the source water of Kusatsu Onsen. 120ml. In addition to the source water ingredients, it also has skin beautifying and skin exfoliating effects. And a 100 g sister product, “Hanayura Gel Cream” is also available. |
| Keys to the private baths | |
 |
After checking in, you will be given a key to your room as well as a key to your private bath. This allows you to monopolize the bath as your own private bath until you check out tomorrow. |
| Akie Uchibori, young landlady | |
 |
Recently, like the landlady, she has also been teaching a “Pressed flower experience”. |
| Pressed flower paper lantern | |
 |
This lantern is handmade by the landlady and young landlady. The colors are beautiful. |
| Coffee after breakfast | |
 |
After finishing breakfast at the dining room, coffee was prepared in the room. The thoughtfulness was delightful. |
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
||
| 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 |
||
| Establishment / Reconstruction | Established: 1969 / Reconstructed: 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
||
| 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) |
||
| 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) |
||
| 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 | － | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Child | Children's slippers / Children's yukata / Children's tableware / Hot water for powdered milk | ||
| Foreign Languages | English | ||
| Recommended Souvenirs | Hanayura lotion | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearby Convenience Store | 1 min. on foot | ||
| Cellular Antennas | ◎docomo | ◎au | ◎softbank |
| Charges | － | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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”. |
||
| Date of Interview | Nov. 11, 2008 | ||
| Date of Information update | Jul. 04, 2023 | ||
|
※When making a reservation, please mention that you saw "kashikiri-onsen.com" |
|||
Socials
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.
