Tokinoniwa is a stunningly beautiful and authentically Japanese retreat — serene, rustic, and deeply rooted in tradition. From the natural materials and thoughtful design to the quiet rhythms of the stay, everything reflects a sense of harmony and respect for nature and hospitality. For Western travelers, it’s important to come with an open mind and a willingness to embrace a different pace, etiquette, and style of comfort. This isn’t a Western-style hotel — and that’s what makes it such a rare and meaningful experience. Approach it with curiosity and respect, and you’ll come away enriched.

I Tokinoniwa felt like a peaceful cabin in the woods — serene, rustic, and deeply connected to nature. It’s a beautifully Japanese experience, from the natural materials and minimalist design to the quiet atmosphere and thoughtful hospitality. We especially loved having our own private onsen, which made the stay feel personal and restorative. Waking up to the sound of the breeze through the trees and making coffee in the room was one of my favorite parts of the trip. For Western travelers, it’s important to understand that this isn’t a Western-style hotel — and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Approach it with respect and curiosity.

Very good stay here, friendly staff. Fully tatami floored hotel with a small garden inside. We booked a room with an onsen bath attached and it was easy to use and very comfortable. The signs on the outside for the bath (attached to the room) are not in English but if it helps anyone the tap on the wall is cold water to dilute the onsen water in the bath if it is too hot to be comfortable. Staff were accommodating and had English menus for the restaurant if required. As is the style in many Ryokans there is a set menu for dinner with only a choice of mains. So keep that in mind for allergies or food dislikes, you can't make changes with regards to the starter menu. During various times of day in the hotel they offered free ramen, ice cream or light meals. If I ever go back to Kusatsu I will most likely stay here again.

We absolutely loved our stay here! The staff were very kind and courteous. I don’t like it when tourists complain that the staff doesn’t speak much English — you visited a FOREIGN country that you know don’t have much English speakers so stop complaining about it and use Google Translate where you can speak into it using your own language and translate for you. The staff were the nicest people who gave excellent service! We also loved the view from our room and we loved the semi-open-air bath in our room. The food was good.

I would’ve preferred to have been able to try the private open-air rock bath but there was a queue so we just enjoyed the semi open air bath in our room and loved it! There were too many rooms in this ryokan and sister ryokan that share the open-air bath that’s why there is always a queue.

OMG. im not sure where to start. I made my last min booking booked the last room with open air onsen bath. was hesitate because pictures looks kinda old. I browsed via almost 90% of hotels in Kusatsu to make sure i found the best hotel i like (i am the type of person very into the onsen hotel and room, if i experience with bad hotel, it will ruined my travel mood and trip). This hotel is definitely exceed my expectation, it is clean, pictures looks like a huge hotel but it is not as big, perfect size to have enough room for multiple onsen, perfect size of room with separated bedroom and outdoor sitting, love the atmosphere there, but regret to tried their 10pm free ramen coz i was too full at all time. they have multiple type of onsen water spa, 3 public but private onsen to use, i recommend book the room with open air bath (i did my bath from 230am to 5am while i had a jetlag first night while hubby was sleeping). breakfast was great for sure, dinner i think it is ok, i will rated a B coz i ate too much good food out there to compare. overall, i think we get over what we pay for, we stayed 2 nights and had a really peaceful, quiet, and good experience with this hotel and possible will consider to take my kids over there too (hm...or try something new if i find something better). if you are first time visit kusatsu, i highly recommend this hotel. you will not regret!!!!

nothing really....

A ryoukan located a bit away from the center of kusatsu onsen. It has a shuttle that departs from yhr station in the morning/afternoon and in the evening it goes from the center of kusatsu to the ryoukan. We stayed there without food and we went to have dinner at the center of kusatsu, at a recommended soba place. Our stay was very pleasant as we were able to enjkh the private bath in our room. But also the private baths the hotel had to offer. I also went to visit the big outside public bath in the morning. All were very pleasant experiences that gave us a well deserved break during our busy travels over Japan. The staff also really tried their best in providing us with an english explanation.

Nothing

able to pick your own yukata, private in room onsen, beautiful private reserved outdoor onsens , excellent special onsen baths especially the one with milky carbonated water. lots of snacking options such as free ramen close to midnight and snacks in the early evening. coffee grinder and pour over set in the room was a nice touch too.

location was much farther from the yubatake so if you are looking to visit the main kusatsu area it will require the hotel shuttle. food was alright, nothing amazing, slightly disappointing for the price point. Hotel staff were polite however they were not attentive.

- Many different baths are wonderful. Very hot water. - Convenient shuttle buses to Kusatsu and Karuizawa. - Noodles served as a night snack.

- Room facing a main road and a parking lot. - Dinner was under average if you compare it to other ryokans. - The hotel is large, be ready to share the baths with many guests on weekends and in a peak season.

It was a beautiful stay and our first experience at a ryokan. We were made to feel very special from the moment we arrived, until the time we checked out. The meals were lovely. Lots of interesting things to try for both dinner and breakfast and dressed in the provided yukatas. We loooooved our private onsen in our room and also tried two of the three private onsens on site which can be used by any guest pending availability. Beautiful views! The town is also lovely but be prepared for the sulfur smell from the hot springs!

Obviously it is a lot of money to spend per night, but I do believe it was worth it for the experience and we were made to feel that it was money well spent!

Room quality and view exceeded my expectations as did the breakfast. Would recommend having dinner there as well in order to be able to enjoy the room and onsen more. They provide transport from/to closest bus station but I would recommend just walking to it (about 20 min.), very green and the feeling of japanese countryside is nice. The Yukatas are amazing (and top quality).

The rooms aren't soundproof (so just be careful not to get wild in those).

Beautiful and calm ryokan The room was full of good surprises - a coffee grinder + filter for making fresh coffee in the room Also a great tea set. The hot bath in the room was amazing and very tranquil The toilet paper had a matcha scent which was a funny addition Very friendly staff!

The room was a bit far from the parking lot and you could easily hear people walking in the corridor