Osakaya Ryokan

The location was really good, walking distance to the main area. The staff were very friendly and helpful with our luggage, answering questions, our car and explaining our stay. The breakfast was really good, our room was very spacious and clean and the baths were nicely taken care of. This is a touristy town but the ryokan still provided a nice stay for our short visit.

location was perfect, they picked us up at the bus depot in kusatsu. The onsen was wonderful, it can be hot but that is why you go. I ENJOYED IT so did my husband, we try to go off time to get privacy female side had 2 outdoor type, one was outdoor, one was semi cave area, it was wonderful. BKFST was all a nice traditional japanese sit down bkfst sit down set meal. You have to like fish many meals had fish in it including bkfst. Dinner had both seafood and meat . Very good food. Sit down and pretty traditional Japanese meals. THIS is not a buffett , its a sit down upscale meals. We like roomy area since we stay at least 4 days at onsen, this was perfect. it had signs of aging but was very comfortable with tatami room for futon and table and a side room with a sitting area. BATH is a seperate room from toilet with a nice counter area for sink and vanity. WOULD have been nice to have a little stool in front of sink as a vanity. The HUGE window overlooked a wonderful tree area which leaves had changed to autumn color . KUSATSU is a hilly area . WE saw the water churning dance show and loved it. WE also went to near by outdoor onsen called Sai no Kawara which has a fee inside the park . The park is free and has a free footbath . This park has hot spring water creeks flowing and its very surreal and beautiful to visit. The outdoor bath is huge with limited amenities inside. YOU need to buy or pack a towel. Because the water is antibacterial quality , I noticed no real wash area, fyi. There is a discounted ticket if you choose to visit 3 onsen which we planned to go . WE enjoyed all 3 onsens. The 3 are Sai no Kawara , Goza no YU , and OHTAKI no YU. LOVED all very relaxing . OSAKAYA onsen was great and you don't need to do any other one . WE just happen to be an onsen nut. visiting temples and walking around was blissful. You don't have to do meals but we chose to be pampered. WE WERE.

We were very nicely welcome by the staff at arrival. The traditional room was spacey and clean. Sleeping on futons was no problem. We have got very good dinner and breakfast. Even traditional kimonos are available in the room so, that we could dress up for dinner and have a walk outside wearing them.

Ryokan is going through changes in Japan with many youths especially foreign talents being hired to join this industry. This ryokan has quite a number of foreign talent in the serving department and training needed to maintain the unique ryokan hospitality.

Is beside where everything happen in Kosatsu, the onsen were great (and we could book a ptivate one) We used the trasportation too to carry our bags, but you should ask for it, I guess they work till 18 hrs. The personal were great and kind. The room were more bigger than I thought !