Kusatsu Hotel 1913: Two Springs, a Historic Wooden Inn and Room Baths
Compare Kusatsu Hotel 1913’s two spring-fed public baths, bookable private baths and room-specific tubs; note that its older wooden buildings have no lift.
You do not need to book a hot-spring room to experience the inn’s main bathing feature. Its shared baths bring two well-known Kusatsu springs into one stay; the room upgrade is mainly about privacy and being able to soak without walking to the bathhouse. That distinction can save a sizeable room premium if you are happy with public bathing.
The public baths are the straightforward way to try both springs
Nishinokawara spring and Bandai spring are both used in the public-bath facilities, which include open-air baths. Source temperatures are not bathing temperatures. The flow method and water treatment are not specified for every tub, so avoid assuming all of them operate in the same way.
Three private baths are available by reservation, in 45-minute sessions. A small bath costs ¥1,650 and a regular-size bath ¥2,200. Overnight guests reserve after check-in; advance reservations are not accepted. If a private session at a particular hour is essential, ask the hotel before choosing a non-refundable plan. A room with its own bath is the more dependable option for repeated private soaks.
Pay for a room bath when privacy matters more than the shared baths
Only selected room categories are marked as having a hot-spring bath. Room descriptions include Japanese-style rooms with two beds and a bath, as well as the PEDALO annex, which is a short walk from the main entrance. Check the exact room name and location: an ordinary guest-room bathroom is not the same as a natural hot-spring bath.
The inn’s timber architecture is part of its appeal, but the stairs are a real planning detail. The property says there is no elevator, and some traditional rooms have more potential for neighbour and floor noise. Travellers with heavy luggage, mobility needs or light sleep should contact the hotel about the specific room and route before booking.
Yubatake is around a six-minute walk away, and the hotel is also well placed for the Sainokawara side of town. The address suits guests who want to walk between the hot-spring field, the park and the inn, without staying directly on the busiest square.
For the broader Kusatsu stay decision, see the Kusatsu ryokan guide. If you are deciding whether a room bath is worth the upgrade, use the Kusatsu private-room-onsen guide.
Sources
- [Kusatsu Hotel 1913: hot springs](https://www.kusatsuhotel.com/en/%E6%B8%A9%E6%B3%89) - [Kusatsu Hotel 1913: guest rooms](https://www.kusatsuhotel.com/room) - [Kusatsu Hotel 1913: facilities](https://www.kusatsuhotel.com/facility) - [Kusatsu Hotel 1913: access](https://www.kusatsuhotel.com/access) - [Kusatsu Hotel 1913: FAQ](https://www.kusatsuhotel.com/faq) - [Kusatsu spring-water distribution data](https://www.kusatsu-onsenhaitou.com/watanoyu/) - Images: [Jalan property gallery](https://cdn.r-corona.jp/prd.jln.r-corona.jp/assets/site_files/p7o78m7i/767707/p7yp_bw1200h600.jpg), [Jalan property gallery](https://cdn.r-corona.jp/prd.jln.r-corona.jp/assets/site_files/p7o78m7i/1215252/zrx0_bw1200h600.jpg)Checked: September 27, 2026
Tags: Kusatsu Onsen, Kusatsu Hotel 1913, Nishinokawara spring, Bandai spring, historic ryokan
