Eidaya (Review)
The Homelike Inn in Kusatsu
Eidaya is a popular traditional Japanese inn located in the center of Kusatsu, in Gunma prefecture. Its clean and lovely rooms are arranged in the Japanese style, with a tatami flooring, futon bedding and coffee table. The hotel also owns onsen hot baths, some of which can be privatized.
Slightly away from the Yubatake and the touristic excitement of Kusatsu, Eidaya inn is nonetheless in a convenient location, about ten minutes’ walk from most of the places to visit in the little town. The inn looks like a traditional Japanese house, simple, lovely and welcoming with a relatively discreet street-side front. One felt as if invited to stay at a friend’s house as soon as arrival.
A warm welcome as comfy as home
In winter, in the entrance is arranged as comfy small mountain hut, a kettle on a gas stove keeping tea warm for customers. Next to it on little shelves, Crocs shoes fitted with polar fleece liners and pins under the sole for an easy walk in the snow are available to use. The lounge area provides a cozy atmosphere, favorable to casual conversations with the staff or the other guests. On a side note, there is always someone at the front speaking English for the best welcome possible of overseas visitors.
The shared living areas are also well designed for relaxation, with armchairs, a bookshelf, a massage chair and a few toys and games for children, including a mini trampoline. The mineral garden placed in the center of the resting room is an elegant decoration. More than a simple youth hostel, Eidaya provides a quiet and aesthetic atmosphere, ideal for couples, families or small groups looking for a comfortable place, convivial yet respectful of intimacy.
In the kitchen area, guests can share a fridge, a micro-wave oven and a drink vending machine, which allows to eat at the inn take-away meals. Moreover, a small supermarket and a konbini can be found nearby. Additionally, the hotel 🏨 also has a restaurant (Akaneya Shokudo) for half boarders. Dinner and / or breakfast can be included upon request at the reservation or at check-in.
Shared and private onsen baths for all
The majority of the spotless clean rooms are of Japanese style and have a relatively good insulation from cold. The tatami floors, the rice paper glazing on the windows, the coffee table, the retro furniture, and the futon bedding that can be tidied up in large closets are the staples of the standard amenities of Japanese traditional inns. It feels good to be at Eidaya!
Eidaya has its own onsen ♨️ hot baths. They are small but cute, and the two indoor tubs (men and women are separated) offer a pleasant moment to shower and relax. As a matter of fact, not all rooms have a private bathroom 🛁 and the baths are used as a shared amenity, and the same goes for the toilets 🚽. In a lovely wooden decor, three private baths are available upon reservation for the inn’s customers.
We recommend Eidaya inn to anyone looking for a traditional setting accommodation for their stay in Kusatsu. While a little bit more expensive than the same hotel range in the Japanese countryside, it is still within the average price range of the quite touristic thermal resort. The friendly staff and the comfy setting are its strong points.
