HOSHI ONSEN CHOJUKAN

It is a wonderful Japanese ryokan with one of the old original hot springs in Japan. In fact this place is geographically not so far from Tokyo but it is not easy to get to. As you know Japan is heavily industrialized and one of the most densely populated countries in the…

Date of stay: April 2018

Disagree with "Not for anyone over 50"!

My brother in law has been talking about this place for years. He lived and worked in Gunma im the nineties learning Japanese and building log houses. He'd always said he wanted to return to stay at this Onsen when he could afford to do so. Therefore we joined him on a…

Date of stay: August 2017

Not for anyone over 50

Out in the middle of the Gunma nowhere, at the end of a road that with snow can be treacherous, this rustic wooden spa is not for older folks who can't sleep and sit on the floor or who have dietary restrictions. The rooms are unpretentious but overlook the simple gardens and…

Date of stay: January 2017

Lovely Traditional Onsen /Ryokan

Very beautiful old traditional buildings . The rooms we had ( 2 deluxe ) were spacious and comfortable - if you like sleeping on futons which we did . We drove there . It was an easy drive from Tokyo but a bit of a worry as no snow tyres and it was starting to snow as we …

Date of stay: December 2016

Just don't change, the experience was wonderful!

We stayed two nights, soaked in the traditional wooden onsen, watched snow falling across the cedars and ate superb food. Smooth and unobtrusive service, lovely old building, just enough modern conveniences. We love you Hoshi Onsen!

Date of stay: November 2016

PreviousNext

12 3 4 5 6 7

Album Categories

All photosTravelerRoom & SuiteDining Family and Play AreasBusiness Center & Event Rooms

Professional photo exclusively commissioned by TripAdvisorHoshi Onsen Chojukan

The Suite Room Yashio at the Chojukan

Professional photo exclusively commissioned by TripAdvisorHoshi Onsen Chojukan

The Kunnzansou Room at the Chojukan

Professional photo exclusively commissioned by TripAdvisorHoshi Onsen Chojukan

The Betukan Room at the Chojukan

chambre

main bath hall

PreviousNext

123456…53

hi. are tattoo allowed in your onsen bath? a few website says your place allows.

Hi David, I am not the hotel owner but since I have been requested to answer your question, I will do my best to explain why the Japanese make such a big fuss about tattoo. Japan has a long history with tattoos. It’s very complex and some of that history is connected to punitive tattoos and there is a tradition of tattooed gangsters or "yakuzas" . Most Japanese are not tattooed. The main reason is, I think, that tattoo is associated with organized crimes committed by the yakuzas, particularly during the dark post WW2 period in Japan. In Japan, tattooing are still very private thing. Many hotels and bathhouses do not want to see tattoos in their houses because they do not want to give any uneasy feelings to the customers. In a way, tattoos can give Japanese people an impression as if they are taking bath together with gangsters. We must respect this when we travel in Japan. Some people who have a small tattoo cover it with an adhesive plaster. It is an obvious prejudice but you just cannot debate this in Japan today. I know that Chojukan is reluctant to have any guests with tattoo.

Show all answers

Do you have free shuttle bus?

As far as I know ,,No".

Show all answers

We are planning to stay here for four nights with our 2 kids (6 and 8 years old) in October. Is there a way to get to near by towns and attractions for a day? Also, will my Western kids have anything to eat here?

This place is very isolated and is, I am afraid,not for the children. If you have a car you might get to some local towns near by but I doubt very much that you can find what you would look for. Hoshi Onsen is wonderful and surely worth visiting but in my opinion not for a family with active children. They may say you can have a hike out in the mountain but when we were there they told us to be very careful in the forest because there would be some bears with cubs and wild bigs. There are no other buildings, not even another hamlet around this area. Even in Saru-ga-Kyo where we change the bus to get to Hoshi Onsen there are not may shops where you can buy genuine western food. We stayed in Hoshi Onsen for three days, three nights, and enjoyed very much, but 4 nights seem to be a bit too long with children.

Show all answers

Hi do they accept people with tattoo's and is it swimwear?

As you know tattoo is generally not welcomed in Japanese onsen. I saw one lady who was hiding her tattoos with a huge plaster.

Show all answers

Two Questions: Is the outdoor onsen ever mixed bathing? Or is it always either men only or women only? If given advance notice, is vegetarian food available? Thank you!

My wife was worrying about it but the main bath hall can be isolated and reserved for female for a certain time frame. Please watch out for the time table or just ask the manager when and which bath halls are for women and when.

Show all answers

PreviousNext

123