Graduation trip | Popular hotels and Ryokan (Japanese inn) based on reviews!

For a graduation trip with a group of 5, especially if you're looking for great value (or what we call "cos-pa" – cost performance – in Japan!), you really can't go wrong with Itoen Hotel Kusatsu. They have spacious rooms that can actually fit up to 8 people, so your group of 5 will have plenty of space to hang out. The real highlight for many groups, especially students, is the dining: Dinner: It's an all-you-can-eat buffet with a huge variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. Plus, it includes unlimited soft drinks AND an all-you-can-drink alcohol menu (beer, sake, shochu, wine, etc.) – perfect for celebrating your graduation! Breakfast: Also a generous buffet with both Japanese and Western options, including fruits and fresh juices to start your day right. Now for the onsen – which is what Kusatsu is famous for! They have fantastic large public baths with gensen kakenagashi (100% pure, free-flowing hot spring water directly from the source). These public baths also feature an outdoor bath (rotenburo), a sauna, and a cold water bath (mizuburo) to cool down. A huge plus for groups, especially if some members are new to onsen culture: They offer free private reservable baths (kashikiri buro)! This is a fantastic option if anyone in your group feels a bit hesitant about the communal bathing culture (being nude with strangers). You can enjoy the onsen experience just with your friends. And for more group fun: The hotel offers free table tennis. There are also karaoke rooms you can use for free (usually for one hour per group). These are super popular, so if you want to belt out some tunes, make sure to book your karaoke slot as soon as you check in!

If a super central location is a top priority for your group, consider this: There are traditional ryokans situated almost right in the heart of Kusatsu Onsen, making them incredibly convenient for heading out to all the different sightseeing spots. Many of these offer spacious Japanese-style rooms that can accommodate 5 or more people, so they're perfect for a group of friends like yours. Being so close to the Yubatake (Kusatsu's famous hot water "field," the town's main landmark) is a huge advantage for soaking up the town's atmosphere and, of course, for easy sightseeing. You can easily stroll over to see the Yubatake multiple times, perhaps in the evening when it's lit up, or early in the morning. It’s ideal if you want to easily explore on foot and be right in the middle of all the action during your graduation trip. You'd have quick access to shops, restaurants, and other local attractions right on your doorstep.

The reason we recommend this inn is that it has rooms that can accommodate large groups, and it is in an excellent location, just a short walk from the Yubatake, the symbol of Kusatsu. The hot spring water is drawn from the Yubatake, so you can enjoy Kusatsu's famous hot springs to your heart's content, and you can choose from kaiseki（a traditional Japanese multiple course meal ）or Buffet style meals depending on your budget, so you're sure to be satisfied.

In winter, the snowy world is beautiful, and in spring, the fresh greenery of nature welcomes you. This is a hotel where you can enjoy the changing seasons. When you enter the entrance, there are many barrels filled with wood and a fireplace, which gives it a charming atmosphere. In the warm seasons, there is even an indoor pool. You can experience the splendor of the famous Kusatsu Onsen as you bathe in the hot spring while feeling the highland breeze unique to Kusatsu. The hotel has a large amount of water, even among Kusatsu Onsen, so you can benefit from it. The water is soft and keeps your body warm and comfortable. There are also private rooms, so you can enjoy the hot spring water directly from the source. The food is a dinner buffet. There is a wide variety of dishes that make use of locally produced ingredients. Even if you are picky, you can eat to your heart's content. The all-you-can-eat snow crab until spring and the grilled chestnut steak in the live kitchen are exquisite. The mountain vegetables, which are a delicacy of the mountains, are crunchy and sweet, and have a luxury unique to Gunma. The vegetable smoothie for breakfast is very popular with women.

If you're in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, how about Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora? The hotel is located right in front of the famous cherry blossom viewing spot, Hayakawa Sakura-namiki. All rooms are equipped with natural hot spring baths. There is also a large unisex bath where you can enter wearing a swimsuit, so foreign visitors can feel at ease.

Many hot springs where you can wear swimsuits tend to be quite expensive, but here you can stay in a room with four people and enjoy a plan with two meals included for around 20,000 yen. Swimsuits are allowed in the large public bath, which has large windows for an open feel. You can enjoy the hot springs while looking at the forest scenery from the windows independent guest cottages three sides. There are also plenty of other facilities, such as a rock sauna, fitness gym, and activities. Shuzenji Onsen is one of the most historic hot springs in Izu, having been in operation for 1,200 years, so it's sure to be a great conversation starter for people who grew up abroad. There is a shuttle bus from the station, so it's easy to get to.

This hotel can accommodate 5 people per room and is reasonably priced. There is a free shuttle from the bus terminal to the hotel and from the Yubatake to the hotel, so it is perfect for students who travel by train or bus. The meals include local Gunma delicacies, and you can also eat Joshu beef Shabu Shabu（Japanese hotpot）(or steak). The all-you-can-drink option is also good value for money, so it is recommended.

This is an inn in Izu where you can bathe in a hot spring while wearing a swimsuit. There are several plans for a Japanese-Japanese and Western room that can accommodate up to four people. The hot spring spa, which can be used in a swimsuit, has nine types of baths that use sodium, chloride, and sulfate hot springs and is decorated with 13 animal sculptures. As for meals, they serve a Buffet-style menu centered on fresh seafood and mountain produce caught in Izu. The specially ordered dish, simmered golden-eyed snapper, is particularly delicious.

ホテルヴィレッジは温泉の種類が多く、ホテル館内にプールやアスレチック、ビリヤード、ボーリング、卓球と娯楽もたくさんあります。何でもあって遊びきれないなので、ご友人との卒業旅行には特におすすめです！