KASHIWAYA RYOKAN -Article（3）-
| In 2005, "Tsuru", a Japanese-style room with a 10 tatami mats deck terrace, was also renovated, and all Japanese-style rooms with an 8 tatami mats deck terrace, the most common type, were also renovated between 2001 and 2006. Mr. Kashiwabara was officially appointed president in 2007. In December of the same year, a dining room with only chair and table seating was built. Also, the check-out time was changed from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. |
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| Guest room open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water | |
| In this way, the inn has progressively identified the trends of the times, implemented renovations, and has seemingly been running smoothly, but in reality, the inn must have experienced considerable hardship. However, as a result, "Kashiwaya Ryokan" is currently doing well. This is probably due to President Kashiwabara's management skills. He says that his philosophy is based on the following four points. 1. To provide guests with more than satisfaction at a reasonable price. 2. To contribute to the happiness of the staff and the community as a company. 3. To always maintain a spirit of challenge, without staying in the present situation. 4. Our behavior will be guided by a smile, sincerity, and gentleness. He educates his staff on these points, and while he himself keeps these points in mind, he manages his business without sticking to manuals. He says that it is hard for him to repeat the same thing day in and day out. He has always been seeking for change and aiming for an ideal inn. At Shima Onsen, he is obviously a central figure in the local community. President Kashiwabara is also involved in the planning and editing of the "Shima Onsen Yottenbe Passport", which offers discounts at stores in Shima Onsen. |
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| Free private open-air bath | |
| Since 2010, the company has expanded its focus to include inbound tourism. However, it is extremely difficult to attract foreign tourists to a hot spring area in the mountains that is not conveniently located, but "Kashiwaya Ryokan" has succeeded in attracting the largest number of visitors in Shima Onsen. However, around 2017-18, President Kashiwabara had a certain problem. It was that the young staff members he had devoted his time and effort to were leaving the company, little by little. President Kashiwabara was confident in his top-down management approach, but he was feeling a bit uneasy about the situation. At that time, he heard about an event called "Ryokan Koshien", sponsored by the youth division of the Zen-Ryoren (Japan Ryokan and Hotel Association). This event, which can be viewed from various perspectives, is a kind of presentation by ryokan-hotel workers of how they feel and what kind of hospitality they provide. President Kashiwabara decided to put this into action by changing his staff's mindset, and persuaded them to enter the 4th Ryokan Koshien in 2018, and to his surprise, out of several hundred entries nationwide, only three inns were chosen as finalists (in 2019). Although the inn was a close runner-up, it definitely changed the mindset of the staff, who became more active and proactive in serving their guests. |
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| Staff of Kashiwaya Ryokan | ※ Image courtesy of Kashiwaya Ryokan |
| However, as you know, the Corona disaster will begin in the spring of 2020, rattling not only the ryokan industry but also the economy of Nippon, and "Kashiwaya Ryokan" will reopen in March 2021. The number of guest rooms was reduced from 15 to 14, and that portion was used to expand the new dining facilities. The guest rooms also underwent a detailed redesign. |
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| New dining area renovated in March 2021 | |
KASHIWAYA RYOKAN Travel Journal
Articles
Gunma Prefecture is one of the most famous hot spring areas in Japan. In particular, Kusatsu Onsen, Ikaho Onsen, and Shima Onsen are known as the "Three Hot Springs of Jyoshu". Sometimes Mizukami Onsen is included in the list and is referred to as the four major hot spring areas in Gunma Prefecture.The name Shima Onsen is said to come from a legend that it cures 40,000 illnesses, and it has long been known as a remote hot spring area in the mountains......
Private ＆ Open-air Bath Reports
One of the main reasons for the popularity of Kashiwaya Ryokan is its three private open-air baths. Guests can use them at any time between 3:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. the next morning, without making a reservation......
Facilities ＆ Hot Spring Reports
"Kashiwaya Ryokan" stands at the entrance to the Shima Onsen hot spring area in Gunma Prefecture. After climbing the ramp and entering the inn, a warm and relaxing atmosphere awaited us......
Guest Room Reports
Kashiwaya Ryokan is based on the concept of "Japanese modern", which has recently become a common concept in ryokans throughout Japan. The inn was one of the first to incorporate Japanese-style rooms with low beds, and also has two guest rooms with open-air baths, which is a trend in Japan......
Cuisine Reports
After the renovation of the dining room in March 2021, both dinner and breakfast will be served in the new dining room. The dining room is now semi-private and has a relaxed atmosphere......
Extra Reports
The sales store by the front desk displayed many of the ryokan's original items, Japanese sundries, and souvenirs exclusive to Shima Onsen......
| Keywords for this ryokan | |||
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| Japanese modern atmosphere within the facility | |||
| Free private open-air baths are available without reservation | |||
| Guest room with free-flowing open-air bath | |||
| Check-out at noon with brunch option | |||
| Excellent cuisine using local ingredients such as Jyoshu beef |
| Check-In / Check-Out | 3:00 p.m. / 12 noon | ||
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| Card usage | Allowed | ||
| Room Views | River, Mountain | ||
| In-room Meal | ― | ||
| Dinner | Japanese-style meal | ||
| Breakfast | Japanese-style meal, Western-style meal, Brunch | ||
| Official website's online reservation benefits | The most economical rates are available for reservations through official website. If you make a reservation directly on the official website or by phone, you will receive a 5% point rebate by using the Kashiwaya Ryokan web point system, etc. |
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| Special Packages | Birthday, Anniversary, Celebration, KANREKI Package, etc. Check the Official Website for details★ | ||
| ①Free-flowing hot spring water - "Hana" guest room with open-air bath | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 31,000 yen 1 person use: ― |
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| ②Free-flowing hot spring water - "Kame" guest room with open-air bath | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 30,000 yen 1 person use: ― |
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| ③Japanese-style room with footbath terrace "Hikari" | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 22,000 yen 1 person use: ― |
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| ④Basic Japanese-style room (3 rooms) "Matsu", "Take", "Ume" |
Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 20,000 yen 1 person use: From 23,000 yen ※Weekdays only |
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| ⑤3 Japanese-style twin rooms with terrace: "Tsuki", "Akatsuki", "Yuhi" | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 20,000 yen 1 person use: From 23,000 yen ※Weekdays only |
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| ⑥Basic Japanese-style room "Hoshi" (1F) | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 18,000 yen 1 person use: From 21,000 yen ※Weekdays only |
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| ⑦Japanese-style twin room (2 rooms) "Mine", "Hagi" | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 19,000 yen 1 person use: From 22,000 yen ※Weekdays only |
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| ⑧Single room "Niji" (2F) | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: From 18,000 yen 1 person use: From 21,000 yen |
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| ⑨Single room with terrace "Akari" (1F) | Weekday 1 room for 2 persons: ― 1 person use: From 20,000 yen |
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| Establishment / Reconstruction / Renovation | Established: 1972 / Reconstructed: 2001 / Renovated: 2010 / 2021 | ||
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| Number of Rooms | All 14 rooms (6 Japanese style rooms / 7 Modern Japanese style rooms / 1 Japanese-Western style room) ・6 Japanese-style rooms (no bed) ※Guest room with open-air bath "Kame", Japanese-style room with footbath terrace "Hikari", 3 basic Japanese-style rooms "Matsu", "Take", "Ume", 1F Basic Japanese-style room "Hoshi". ・7 Modern Japanese-style rooms (with bed ) ※Japanese-style twin room with terrace (3 rooms) "Tsuki", "Akatsuki", "Yuhi", Japanese-style twin room (2 rooms) "Mine", "Hagi", Single room on the 2nd floor "Niji", Single room with terrace on the 1st floor "Akari". ・1 Japanese/Western style room ※Guest room with open-air bath "Hana" |
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| Number of People Accommodated | 47 persons | ||
| Private bath | Private open-air bath x 3 Kaede-no-Yu / "Sanbaseki" (Samba stone) bath produced Gunma Prefecture Tsuki-no-yu / "Koya-maki" bath (Japanese umbrella pine) Sakura-no-Yu / The edge is "Hinoki" and the bathtub is a stone-style tile bath Usage hours : Approx. 30 minutes from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Reservation method : No reservation (first-come-first-served basis) View: Mountain |
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| Public Bath Information | Large public baths for men and women (no switching between men and women) Usage hours: 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 a.m. next day |
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| Parking Area | 15 cars | ||
| Pets | Not allowed | ||
| Barrier Free | Wheelchair for rent, Western-style toilets in guest rooms, Handrails in bathtubs in public baths | ||
| Esthetics / Massages | Esthetics: None Massages: None |
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| Internet | Wi-Fi available on all floors | ||
| DVD | Not available | ||
| TV Channels | NHK: 2 stations, Private Broadcasting: 6 stations | ||
| Facilities | Lounge, Tea room, Shop | ||
| Refrigerator System | Empty (with space for drinks brought in/freezer room available) | ||
| Vending Machine | None ※Available at the After-Bath Library (free cafe) (7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) | ||
| Sales shop | Available | ||
| 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 | Kakekou ※Inn's original | ||
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| Nearby Convenience Store | 15 min. by car | ||
| Cellular Antennas | △docomo | ◎au | ◎softbank |
| Spring quality | Sodium Calcium / Chloride Sulfate Hot Springs (Hypotonic, Weak alkaline, High temperature spring) | ||
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| Temperature of the source | 48.2℃ | ||
| Output rate | 50ℓ / per min. | ||
| Hydrogen ion | pH7.5 (Weak alkaline) | ||
| Total dissolved substances (excluding gases) | 1,410mg / kg | ||
| Gushing of the source | Hot water drawn from a nearby ryokan spring | ||
| Add water / Circulation Filtration | ○Men's and women's indoor baths: Combined use of free-flowing hot spring water + Circulation ○Private open-air bath (Tsuki-no-Yu): Although it is a free-flowing hot spring water, the temperature and volume of the hot water are adjusted by adding water ○Private open-air bath (Sakura-no-Yu and Kaede-no-Yu): Free-flowing hot spring water + Circulation are used together ○Open-air baths in guest rooms: Although it is a free-flowing hot spring water, the temperature and volume of the hot water are adjusted by adding water ※However, the private open-air bath "Tsuki-no-Yu" and the Guest room open-air baths are 100% free-flowing hot spring water only during the summer season |
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| Water heating | No | ||
| Sterilization of bath | Yes (Private open-air baths "Sakura-no-Yu" and "Kaede-no-Yu" and Large public baths for men and women) | ||
| Replacement of hot water in bathtub | Once a day: Private open-air bath "Tsuki-no-Yu" and guest room open-air baths / Other baths: Once a week | ||
| Bath Additive | No using | ||
| Indications by Spring Quality (Revised on July 1, 2014) | Cuts, Peripheral circulatory failure, 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, excessive 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, hemorrhoid pain, autonomic instability, various symptoms from stress (sleep disorders, depression, etc.),convalescence stage of illness, recovery from fatigue, promotion of health. | ||
| Color of water | Clear and colorless | ||
| For drinking | Cannot | ||
| Indications for drinking | ― | ||
| Smell / Taste | Tasteless and odorless | ||
| By train | JR Agatsuma Line Nakanojo Station, 35 minutes by bus | ||
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| Shuttle bus | None | ||
| By car | Kanetsu Expressway - Shibukawa/Ikaho I.C., R353, approx. 50 min. | ||
| Nearby Sightseeing Spots | Okushima Dam and Hot spring town strolling | ||
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| Recreation (tourist farms, parks, etc.) | Lake Okushima | ||
| Sports | Canyoning, Kayaking, Fishing | ||
| Staff messages | Message from President Kashiwabara The inn is surrounded by the Shima River and mountains, where you can spend a relaxing time, and there are three private baths available for your use. Please come and enjoy the four seasons. |
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| Publication Date | June 29, 2021 | ||
| Information Updated | ― | ||
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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.
