Minakami, Gunma Prefecture hotel rooms at the Independent

"Great charming hotel in a quiet area"

"I had a wonderful stay at Urakusatsu Tou in Kusatsu, Japan. The hotel is very clean, and the room was spacious and comfortable. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the check-in process was smooth and efficient. The onsen was well-maintained, offering a peaceful and relaxing environment — a perfect way to unwind after exploring Kusatsu. Highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting the area!"

"We had a wonderful stay at Tanigawa Valley Lodge & Coffee Roastery. The host, Craig, is truly exceptional — friendly, hardworking, and constantly going out of his way to make sure guests feel comfortable and taken care of. The location feels remote in the best possible way, offering a peaceful and authentic Japanese experience surrounded by mountains and nature. And the coffee… wow. Hands down the best coffee we’ve had in Japan. Highly recommended for anyone looking to slow down, relax, and enjoy genuine hospitality."

"Enjoy staying❤️"

"Had a nice and relaxing experience, the staff were very helpful. The location was really good with local restaurants and lots of sites to see!"

"I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Nikko recently and honestly, it was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had. The location alone makes it worth the trip — right on Lake Chuzenji, with the mountains and waterfalls of Nikko all around. It feels super peaceful and completely different from the city vibe of Tokyo. Rooms The rooms are huge by Japanese standards and beautifully designed. Think modern but with lots of Japanese touches — sliding doors, deep soaking tubs, and big windows that frame either the lake or the mountains. Mine had a lake view and waking up to that every morning was amazing. Food Food was excellent. Breakfast had both Japanese and Western options (the Japanese one was really special). Dinner was pricey, but the kaiseki course was worth it for the experience. If you want something lighter, there are cafés around the lake too. Onsen & Spa This is where the hotel really stands out. The onsen (hot spring) is incredible — both indoor and outdoor baths with natural hot spring water. Sitting outside in the hot bath while looking at the mountains was pure magic. Service super professional, but also warm and friendly. They remembered small details about preferences and made everything feel easy. Special thanks to Alex, Marek and Tiff. Overall If you’re heading to Nikko and want to splurge, this is the place. It’s not cheap, but it feels like an experience rather than just a hotel stay. Perfect for a co"

"Wonderful stay. "

"Second visit here. Perfect for family getaway with kids in winter. Also good spot for summer when watching Fuji Rock music Festival. Would definitely stay again."

"Me and my family had a lovley stay here, however I so have one complaint. The inages showed the hotel being right next to the yubatake place, but it was actually a bit of a walk from there. They sid provide a "