Overview
Hotel Sakurai stands in the heart of Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan’s most iconic hot spring towns. The area bursts with seasonal beauty—from cherry blossoms and fresh mountain breezes to golden autumn leaves and snow-blanketed winters. When you stay here, you surround yourself with nature and centuries-old hot spring tradition. Hotel Sakurai welcomes you to truly relax. With spacious rooms, sweeping public baths, and heartfelt service, every part of your stay is crafted for comfort.
Accommodation
You can choose from a wide range of room types, each designed to help you unwind. Hotel Sakurai offers two main wings: the Honkakuden and the Shinkyakuden. Both present different moods, but all rooms carry a sense of traditional elegance. Many use natural materials, feature authentic Japanese design, and provide peaceful views of a courtyard or garden.
In the Honkakuden, rooms fit from two to seven people. You’ll find options like Hollywood twin beds with Simmons mattresses, large tatami rooms with attached sitting areas, and even rooms with private open-air baths.
The Shinkyakuden offers classic sukiya-style rooms, all fitted with their own courtyard garden. Choose a suite with luxurious touches or a simpler Japanese-style room, depending on your needs. These rooms accommodate up to eight people and offer a sense of refined retreat.
Each room includes essentials like a TV, free Wi-Fi, a tea set, mini fridge, safety box, and a private bath with complete amenities—body soap, shampoo, conditioner, towels, yukata robes, and more.
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 10:00 AM. In total, the ryokan has 179 rooms.
Dining
Meals at Hotel Sakurai celebrate the rich produce of Gunma. You’ll enjoy fresh mountain vegetables, river fish, handmade tofu, and meats like Joshu beef and Mochi pork. Depending on your plan, your dinner may include a buffet full of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, or a carefully crafted multi-course kaiseki meal served in a dining room.
The buffet includes over 100 dishes: sizzling pork steaks, freshly fried tempura, steaming bowls of “okkirikomi” noodles, seasonal greens, fruits, cakes, and a variety of drinks. The kitchen prepares many items right before your eyes to ensure peak freshness.
If you choose the kaiseki option, you’ll taste elegant seasonal dishes arranged beautifully and served one course at a time. Local ingredients like Asama tofu and Gin Hikari trout elevate the meal into an experience.
For breakfast, the buffet includes both Japanese and Western options, so you can start your day however you like.
Onsen and Wellness
Hotel Sakurai lets you soak in Kusatsu’s famous hot springs all night long. The massive indoor bath stretches about 30 meters—one of the largest in the area. You can enter whenever you like, except during the cleaning hours between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
The baths draw from three natural sources: Bandai-ko, Nishinokawara, and Wata-no-yu. The waters flow in directly without any dilution. This is onsen in its purest form—hot, mineral-rich, and highly therapeutic.
Each source offers different qualities. Wata-no-yu, for example, is known for its milky hue and soft feel, named for the sensation of being wrapped in cotton. Bandai-ko is clear and highly acidic, with the strongest sterilizing power among Kusatsu’s springs.
You’ll also find open-air rock baths where you can breathe in fresh mountain air while soaking in white, steaming water. During winter, snow gathers quietly around you as the hot water glows emerald green under the sunlight.
For a more private experience, try the special “Rindo” and “Shakunage” baths, available by paid reservation for up to 20 groups per day. These separate baths include upgraded dressing rooms with secure lockers, Refa-brand dryers, massage chairs, and even a kids’ area.
Guests with Tattoos
If you have tattoos, consider using the private bath options such as “Rindo” or “Shakunage.” These baths provide a secluded environment where you can enjoy the onsen without concern. You’ll need to purchase a bath card from the front desk to access these areas.
Facilities
Hotel Sakurai includes much more than just rooms and baths. You can watch live performances like the “yumomi” and taiko drum shows held regularly at the festival plaza. Don a yukata and try the traditional yumomi water-stirring ritual yourself—it’s a favorite experience for many travelers.
The property also offers a spacious lounge, on-site shops, and an arcade. With so much to do, you might find it hard to fit everything into a single day.
Hotel Sakurai is a non-smoking property, with designated smoking rooms available in public areas. The entire facility aligns with health-focused policies introduced in 2020.
Activities
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, or on a solo retreat, Hotel Sakurai offers plans tailored for you. You can join seasonal food events, explore the surrounding Kusatsu area, or simply unwind in the bath.
During summer, the cooler highland air creates the perfect escape. In winter, the snowy landscape transforms your onsen experience into something magical.
Take part in seasonal promotions that include local sake tastings or limited-edition dinner menus. If you’re staying two nights, you can enjoy a different meal each night—one evening buffet, one evening kaiseki—to experience the best of both.
Additional Features
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
- On-site lounge with complimentary coffee service
- Evening ramen service
- Discounted member perks through the “Sakurai Club”
- Complimentary yukata and bath essentials
- Free shuttle service to Kusatsu’s major spots
- Exclusive coupons and in-house credits for booking through the official website
