GUNMA

Kimuraya

A One-Room Architectural Gem Overlooking Kusatsu's Iconic Yubatake

Enjoy the ultimate in Japanese hospitality at Kimuraya, an exclusive single-room inn designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, where guests can immerse themselves in the healing waters of Kusatsu Onsen's legendary Shirahata Spring.

Onsen & Stay

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Escape to a place where contemporary design meets centuries-old onsen tradition in one of Japan's most celebrated hot spring towns.

Perched above the steaming Yubatake—the symbolic heart of Kusatsu Onsen—Kimuraya offers an intimate retreat unlike any other. This exclusive one-room inn provides guests with an unparalleled view of the iconic hot spring field, where mineral-rich waters have drawn visitors for centuries.

The inn's striking design comes from the vision of acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma, whose concept of "three-dimensional Yubatake" brings the hot spring experience indoors. Rough-hewn Asama stone is artfully stacked throughout the space, with natural hot spring water flowing through channels in the rock. The effect creates an immersive environment where guests feel embraced by the very essence of the Yubatake itself—a truly unique architectural experience that blurs the line between inside and out.

What makes Kimuraya truly special is its water source. The inn draws from the Shirahata Spring, the same legendary waters said to have once bathed Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura period. This precious spring, which also supplies the historic Gozanoyu bathhouse, now flows to only six locations in town. Guests can luxuriate in these rare waters flowing continuously in traditional free-flow style, experiencing the same therapeutic benefits that have made Kusatsu famous throughout Japan.
The inn's name honors the proprietor's grandmother, who once operated a beloved ryokan in Kusatsu. By reviving the Kimuraya name, the current owners hope to create a place where guests will return again and again, drawn by the irresistible combination of Kusatsu's natural beauty, healing springs, and exceptional cuisine.

Just 100 meters from the inn sits the Shirahata Spring source itself, where the Yoritomo Shrine has stood since 1782, carved into stone and marking over two centuries of uninterrupted hot spring flow. This proximity to history adds another layer to the Kimuraya experience: a chance to connect with the timeless appeal of Japan's onsen culture while enjoying world-class design and hospitality.

Photo courtesy of Kusatsu Kimuraya

Address

117-1 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture

Contact

info@kusatsu-kimuraya.com

Business hours

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WEB site

https://kusatsu-kimuraya.com/

Digital Map