Hotel Hot Springs di Gunma Prefecture, Japan

This is a fabulous place for an authentic Japanese holiday. The location is beautiful. The outdoor hot spring bathing area is clean and looks like a movie set. The included meals are generous in portion size and are delicious. Our room overlooked the river and it was great. Tatami floors and shoji screen windows. This is an old and historic place and does not cater to western norms. You sleep on futons on the floor. Only Japanese food is available. But it is a wonderful place to spend some time.

We had a very good overall experience at this onsen hotel. The atmosphere was relaxing, and we enjoyed our stay very much. We especially appreciated having an English-speaking staff member available — it made communication much easier and helped us feel more comfortable during our visit.

We stayed in a warm and comfortable tatami room, which included two meals. The hotel offers a convenient shuttle service to and from the station, and the staff were very attentive throughout our stay. The on-site hot spring was excellent; it snowed heavily the day we visited, and soaking in the hot spring while watching the snow fall was truly a magical experience. We also enjoyed the complimentary delicious late-night snack provided in the evening. Additionally, parking is available, which is convenient for those driving.

This hotel service is very in place. Because the road on the mountain is iced, it is impossible to ride forward. There are more than ten kilometers to the hotel and it has begun to go dark. I have to withdraw to the convenience store near the foot of the mountain and call the hotel for help. There is an English-speaking waiter. When the clerk is asked to explain the location to them, Send a car to pick us up at the hotel immediately, and although it was already more than 8 pm when we arrived at the hotel, we still prepared dinner for us! Check out the next day and send us back to facilitate super business pick-up. This kind of hospitality, I will definitely come back next time!

The hotel is not far from the station, about a five-minute drive away. Near the hotel is Tianyi Art Museum whose owner is an artist of traditional Shakuhachi musical instruments. The decoration and details of the hotel are very artistic. Inadvertently found a hotel with a local traditional culture atmosphere. You need to make an appointment if you have a private soup, and you can see the outdoor scenery. Public soups for men and women are separated and served 24 hours a day. The breakfast is delicious and authentic with local specialties. The dinner will provide musical instrument performance and experience. Interesting.

May not come again. The hotel rate is considered pricey because the service did not meet that price standard. We booked a private onsen and found out there is limit number of times you can use onsen. In fact, only 1 person used once at night and in the morning. When we used in the morning, the water is as low as below knee height. After calling the front desk several times, there is still no onsen water. Food is simple, like those we can find in local food restaurant.

It should be regarded as the best hotel in Yixiangbao. It has a history of more than 400 years, but it does not feel old. Several soups are great. The service staff are professional and thoughtful. The small robot in the lobby is super cute. There is a small restaurant on the 19th floor to the entrance and exit of the stone steps, three private rooms, open at 8-11 every night, fried dumplings and ramen are delicious. The people in this place are friendly and hospitable. Udon noodles are local specialties, and each one is delicious; the ancestral stone pot curry rice of the Black Boat House is particularly delicious; Sara's Terrace Arraiya 's package is very homely; Lungo's own roasted coffee is the best to drink, with a bunch of rice cakes is too fragrant! The matcha shop next to the ladder is already very popular, but the clerk is so enthusiastic. When I fell down, I immediately took the first aid kit and ran out to deal with the wound. I was moved! The nearby original gallery is also worth a visit, in a pasture with lots of sheep.

The hotel is a bit of a drive from Karuizawa JR Station, about 35 minutes, and there's a toll fee. However, the scenery along the way is beautiful. Shiraito Falls is about 10 minutes away. The hotel parking lot is ample and very convenient. The hotel rooms are very spacious and comfortable. The hot springs are both indoor and outdoor, with an orange-brown color and a mild odor. Unfortunately, the outdoor hot springs don't allow for a view of the sky. The breakfast and dinner buffets offer a wide variety of options and are delicious. This hotel has a very resort-like feel and I'd definitely return if I had the chance. Figure 1: Scenery along the way Figure 2: View from the hotel window Figure 3: Nearby attractions (Shiraito Falls)

The hotel was clean, the breakfast was abundant, and the service was warm and attentive. The location is convenient, very close to the central station, and nearby supermarkets like 7-Eleven are very handy. I recommend staying here.

Stayed for 2 nights in early Dec 2024. Booked the mountain view twin room with cypress bath which comes with both dinner and breakfast. The ryokan styled hotel is located diagonally opposite from the shibukawa bus stop and about 5 mins walk (turn right from the hotel) to the Ikaho stone steps around the mid section of the steps. The hotel is old ryokan style but well maintained and does not see much wear and tear. The lobby which is on the 3rd floor (ground level) is big. No shoes allowed in the hotel, guests have to deposit their shoes at the entrance. Staff were all friendly and polite though not all can speak well in English. They do go much more to make you feel at home. Yutaka is provided at the lobby. My room which is located on the 4th floor corner is considered big. Old styled ryokan kind of design but with western bed. Though the room is laid with tatami on the floor but can still hear people walking if they area heavy or run. Corridor noise does filter in as well but muffled. Unblocked view of the mountain as the hotel sits on an elevated hill. I would recommend to stay with mountain view. The cypress bath can fit 2 person but takes a while to fill, I rather go to the public onsen. Besides the usual amenities, they even provide face wash, face moisturiser, etc in the room. Safe box is provided in the room as well. Wifi seems weak. No place in the bathroom however to hang your clothes or towel. There is an indoor onsen on the first floor and an outdoor one on the 8th floor. The onsen are gender separated. They rotate the male and female onsen on the first floor though both has the same look and facilities. The onsen on the 8th floor has a nice view of the city but no shower facilities. There is a massage chair on the first floor as well. Breakfast and dinner are served on the 2nd floor. I would not say that this is the best, but definitely delicious and sufficient. Check in at 3 pm and check out at 10am which I find a bit too early. Hope they can consider to extend. Overall I would recommend this place to stay if you are coming to ikaho.