中村屋旅館 (Nakamuraya Ryokan)

This was my first and only stay at a ryokan so I don’t have much to compare it to. I chose this lodging because of the cats and good reviews on the food. The cats were really sweet and I enjoyed playing with them. I have 2 cats of my own so it was really nice. The food was so beautiful and delicious - the mushroom soup at dinner was amazing. I really enjoyed it. The private bath rooms were very convenient and open 24 hrs. I thought the facilities were clean and very pleasant. The location was very close to the central area and a quick walk to all the important sites including the bus station. The only comment I have was in the morning someone was smoking and the smell got ****** into the 2nd floor hallway so maybe more care should be taken to be sure the smoke stays outside. The host was so nice and sweet and I used google translate to ask questions. The matcha madeleines are so tasty I bought a box to take with me.

Located about a couple minutes walk from the Kusatsu Bus Terminal, Nakamuraya Ryokan was overall a pleasant stay. The Ryokan, located at the central part of Kusatsu Onsen town, was close to all types of amenities the town had to offer, and there were more than enough restaurants and stores to explore at our whim. Overall, the lodging experience felt pleasant, with multiple cats roaming about the property and with private onsens that guests could use during their stay. If you are looking for a more traditional lodging experience, I would highly recommend staying at a Ryokan such as Nakamuraya Ryokan. If you are looking for a more modern “hotel” experience, staying at a Ryokan like this one maybe either a pleasant surprise or a relatively alien experience.