Japan’s Hottest New Onsen Stays in 2026? Rakuten STAY Opens Luxury Villas in Kusatsu & Hakone

Healing Waters Surrounded by Greenery: Rakuten STAY VILLA Kusatsu Onsen

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Located in Gunma Prefecture, just outside Kusatsu Town, home to one of Japan’s three most famous hot spring resorts, Rakuten STAY VILLA Kusatsu Onsen officially opened on May 26, 2026.

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Just a quick 6-minute drive from the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal, this facility is nestled in a tranquil area surrounded by national forests and “forest healing trails.” The ever-changing seasonal nature feels like your own private backyard, making it the perfect spot for a refreshing stroll and some soothing forest bathing.

Your Private Bandaiko Hot Spring: Hinoki Tubs & Dual-Bath Layouts

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The property consists of 5 buildings with only 17 exclusive guest rooms. Every room is a spacious, two-story maisonette-style layout of over 90 square meters, featuring high ceilings, an airy living and dining area, and a fully equipped modern kitchen.

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The standout feature is the property’s unique dual-bath layout. Each villa includes a fragrant hinoki cypress bath fed directly by Kusatsu’s famous, highly acidic Bandaiko hot spring source, allowing guests to enjoy 100% natural onsen water in complete privacy.

A separate standard hot-water bath is also provided, making it easy to alternate between bathing styles. Rooms come equipped with large projectors for an immersive stay, while select villas feature private saunas where guests can enjoy an authentic Finnish-style löyly steam experience.

Pet-Friendly Perks & Ultimate Local Gourmet Feasts

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Traveling with fur babies? The property offers three dedicated pet-friendly villas equipped with cages, pet beds, food bowls, and cleanup bags. Thoughtful touches like leash hooks and a foot-washing station make arrivals easy, and even large dogs are welcome.

Food is another highlight. With the half-board plan, locally sourced ingredients are stocked in your refrigerator ahead of time, allowing you to prepare meals whenever it suits your schedule.

For dinner, guests can choose from four regional-inspired menus: Joshu Beef and Inaka Pork sukiyaki, Akagi Beef and Yamato Pork teppanyaki, a Kuni maitake mushroom and Inaka Pork hot pot, or a Kuni maitake and seafood tomato hot pot inspired by Gunma’s local food culture and finished with Takasaki-style pasta.

Breakfast features a choice of Japanese or Western-style meals centered around Gunma’s premium Silk Salmon.

A Natural Grandstand Overlooking Daimonji-yaki: Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Gora

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If you’re after a resort-style stay with easy access to Hakone’s top attractions, Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Gora makes an ideal base. Opened on April 23, 2026, the property is surrounded by Hakone’s lush mountain scenery and features 20 guest rooms spread across three separate buildings.

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The best part? It’s only about a 7-minute walk from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway—a major transit hub. Whether you’re heading out to sightsee or traveling back and forth to Tokyo, the location is unbeatable.

100-Square-Meter Wide Open Spaces: Stunning Mt. Myojo Views & Natural Hot Springs

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The Hakone Gora property also features the two-story maisonette design, with every room (including the terrace) sprawling over 100 square meters. The living room is specially designed with massive floor-to-ceiling windows that connect to the large outdoor terrace, seamlessly blending the indoors with the outdoors.

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Guests can unwind in semi-open-air natural hot spring baths while enjoying panoramic views of Gora’s surrounding mountains. Accommodations are divided into three distinct room types designed for different travel styles.

Type A (View Terrace) rooms feature spacious terraces furnished with tatami mats and comfortable sofas, all facing Mt. Myojo. During summer, guests can even enjoy a prime view of the spectacular Hakone Gora Onsen Daimonji-yaki bonfire event, one of Hakone’s signature seasonal festivals.

Type B (Private Sauna) rooms include a Finnish-style sauna, cold plunge pool, and outdoor relaxation area, creating a private wellness retreat perfect for a classic “totonou” sauna experience.

Travelers with pets may prefer a Type C (Private Dog Run) room. These pet-friendly accommodations come fully equipped with pet amenities and feature a private outdoor dog run connected directly to the villa, giving dogs plenty of space to play and explore.

Cook at Your Leisure: Supervised by Hakone Famous Eateries & Diverse Dinner Plans

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Dining follows the same convenient concept as the Kusatsu property, with ingredients stocked in your refrigerator before arrival so you can prepare meals at your own pace.

For dinner, guests can choose from three options: sukiyaki, duck hot pot (kamonabe), or teppanyaki, which can be cooked and enjoyed on the villa’s spacious outdoor terrace.

Breakfast is equally memorable, featuring a choice of two carefully curated meal boxes. The Japanese-style option includes eel and grated yam rice accompanied by traditional side dishes, while the Western-style breakfast showcases Yosegi-zaiku-inspired breads and seasonal vegetable soup created under the supervision of the popular Aoi Bakery Cafe in Sengokuhara. Both offer an elevated start to the day and a taste of Hakone’s local character.

Whether you choose Rakuten STAY VILLA Kusatsu Onsen, tucked away amid the forests surrounding Kusatsu and featuring private hinoki baths fed by the famed Bandaiko hot spring source, or Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Gora, where expansive terraces and mountain views create a resort-like retreat just minutes from the station, both properties offer a fresh take on the traditional onsen stay.

By combining private luxury, contactless technology, and the freedom to enjoy hot springs and regional cuisine on your own schedule, the Rakuten STAY VILLA brand has reimagined what a modern Japanese hot spring getaway can be. With properties located in destinations across Japan, the series is well worth considering for your next relaxing escape.

Written by:

A native of Taiwan, she has lived in Japan for 10 years and holds JLPT N1 certification. She enjoys reading Japanese novels and has experience as a guide at a tourist information center, as well as writing for travel media. She enjoys visiting shrines and once walked an hour each way for a single visit. She also explores sites tied to Sengoku period warlords and enjoys hiking. Interested in lesser-known destinations, she is dedicated to uncovering hidden spots. Her travels span many regions, and she enjoys bringing home local souvenirs to taste and share with friends and family.