Kirishimaya Ryokan in Kusatsu: The 24-Hour Shiriyaki Bath and Private Soak

Kirishimaya’s unusual “Shiriyaki” bath is not a separate spring. It refers to the shape of the tub and the way guests sit in it, with a notch in the submerged seat. The inn uses Yubatake spring water and keeps its baths open around the clock. This is a very different proposition from a hotel with a large outdoor pool or private spring in every room.

How the three bathing temperatures are meant to be used

The inn lists a hot tub at 46–48°C, a middle-temperature Shiriyaki tub at 42–44°C, and a cooler tub. Its guidance assigns the hottest water to head-pouring or foot bathing; the middle tub is the signature seat-and-notch bath. A three-minute sand timer is provided for the Shiriyaki bath. Follow the on-site instructions and keep soaks short, especially if you are not used to Kusatsu’s strongly acidic water.

There is also a very small outdoor bath. It offers a little open-air bathing, but it is not a large garden rotenburo. Guests choosing Kirishimaya for expansive scenery or room-side hot-spring bathing would be looking for something this inn does not offer.

A private version for two

The traditional Shiriyaki tub can be booked for private use by up to two people, and the inn lists 24-hour bathing. Current room-only and breakfast plans have advertised the private bath at no extra charge; check that the plan you select still includes it. A two-person limit also matters for families or larger groups: this is not a private bath for an entire party of three or more.

The room choice has a practical wrinkle. Kirishimaya has Japanese-style rooms; its eight-tatami rooms have an in-room toilet, while the larger ten-tatami rooms use a shared toilet. If a private toilet matters more than extra floor space, check the smaller category first. Neither room type has a confirmed natural-spring bath.

Yubatake is close; the bus terminal is a longer walk

The inn is about a three-minute walk from Yubatake, but Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal is roughly ten minutes away, with a sloped final stretch noted by travellers. Travelling light makes a car-free arrival easier. With bulky luggage, winter ice or limited mobility, plan the final leg before choosing the inn; free parking is available for drivers.

Meals are generally room-only or breakfast plans rather than a standard full-board stay. That works if you plan to eat around Yubatake, but guests who want dinner served at the inn should check the options for their date.

For a broader comparison of properties by water flow, see the Kusatsu kakenagashi ryokan comparison. The Kusatsu ryokan guide covers room and location trade-offs across town.

Sources

- [Kirishimaya Ryokan: baths and bathing guidance](https://www.kusatsuonsen.co.jp/onsen/index.html) - [Kirishimaya Ryokan: room types](https://www.kusatsuonsen.co.jp/room/index.html) - [Kirishimaya Ryokan: access and nearby sights](https://www.kusatsuonsen.co.jp/access/index.html) - [Kirishimaya Ryokan: rooms and facilities](https://www.kusatsuonsen.co.jp/facility/index.html) - [Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Association: Kirishimaya](https://asp.hotel-story.ne.jp/yumominet/ryokan/K0022) - Image: [Kirishimaya Ryokan official bath page](https://www.kusatsuonsen.co.jp/onsen/index.html) - [Kirishimaya Ryokan: Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/kirishimaya-ryokan.html) - [Kirishimaya Ryokan: Trip.com](https://www.trip.com/hotels/kusatsu-machi-hotel-detail-705844/kirishimaya-ryokan/)

Checked: September 27, 2026

Tags: Kirishimaya Ryokan, Shiriyaki bath, Yubatake spring, private bath, Kusatsu Onsen