Who We Are
A Small And Distinctive Petit Hotel With Own Hot Spring, Offering a Unique Experience in Japan.
Nestled deep in the mountains within a vast and beautiful national park, our small ryokan, kusushiQui, is about a four-hour bus ride from Tokyo.
Picture a small Japanese-style boutique hotel with its own hot springs — that’s us.
As part of the immersive experience we offer, guests are requested to wear concept-inspired attire provided by the inn, from the moment of check-in until check-out.
Our cuisine is crafted using only ingredients sourced from the surrounding mountains. The dishes are served on large-shared platters, and guests are encouraged to eat with their hands to deepen the sensory experience.
There’s no other place like this in all of Japan. We’re a one-of-a-kind, unique retreat.
＊The name”KUSU-SHIKI” comes from old Japanese and means ”mysterious” or ”enigmatic.” We use the letter ”Q” in the spelling to highlight this sense of mystery.
Concept
Stay In a Place Nurtured By the Mountains, And Gently Reconnect With the Five Senses Within You.
There are no brand logos anywhere in our place. And we’ve intentionally removed familiar digital devices to create a more mindful and immersive environment.
Most of what you’ll find at our inn is crafted from natural materials sourced from the mountains. All other items have also had their labels removed, to maintain a sense of simplicity and neutrality. Even the beverages are served without any visible branding.
You may see our place as inconvenient—and perhaps it is. But what we truly offer is a space and time to awaken the five senses that quietly lie dormant within you.
Our concept is rooted in the traditional lifestyle of the people who once lived in this region, relying entirely on what the mountains provided.
We would be delighted if you could enjoy this rare and mysterious retreat in Japan — a place that offers everything, while appearing to have nothing.
Story Behind
Our Hotel Is a Modern Reinterpretation of Japan’s Ancient Mountain Worship Traditions.
Japan is a mountainous country, and since ancient times, people have believed that mountains possess unseen forces and mysterious qualities beyond human understanding.
For this reason, the Japanese have long honored the mountains as sacred sites. Comparable traditions can be seen in other parts of the world as well, including among the Tibetan people.
However, in modern society, it is also true that terms like “mountain worship” and “Shugendo” have become less commonly heard in Japan.
Mountain worship emphasizes the importance of coexistence with nature. With this in mind, we established our hotel, hoping that people in the modern era will hold dear the beauty of these values.
Furthermore, the ancestors of the Kashiwabara family, who own this inn, were yamabushi—ascetic practitioners of mountain worship.
＊Yamabushi are mountain ascetic monks who practice severe spiritual training in the mountains. Historical records show that they have existed in Japan for as long as 1400 years.
Experience / Features
Let Your Five Senses Guide You, Not the Visible Brand Labels.
At our hotel, all items—from wine to amenities—are presented without labels. Please cherish your senses, like smell and touch, and truly feel everything around you.
Enjoy Seasonal Mountain Delicacies By Eating With Your Hands.
We invite you to partake in a one-of-a-kind experience—savoring ingredients carefully gathered from the local mountains with deep respect. In our place, eating with your hands is a fundamental practice.
Guests Are Welcome to Wear Our Original Attire During the Stay At the Hotel.
Wear our specially designed apparel to step into the shoes of a yamabushi, ascetic practitioners of mountain training. Immerse yourself completely in this unique experience during your stay.
Everything in The Inn, Including all Furnishings and Supplies, is Crafted from Mountain Materials.
To convey that people can live solely by the blessings of the mountains, most of the items used in our hotel are made from natural materials sourced from the mountains.
(Vegi / Vegan Options)
Our Meals Have Always Been
Vegan-friendly From the Start.
Almost everything in hotel comes from the mountains, and our meals are mostly vegan from the outset. We can easily adjust to a fully vegan menu, so feel free to make a request in advance.
(Our Rooms)
With Only 2 Rooms Available, Each Can Host a Maximum of 3 Guests.
There is nothing here. Yet, in a way, everything is here.
This is a room where you can have such a special experience.
＊The image may differ from the actual product.
Where We Are
Located Approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles)
From Tokyo, About 3 to 4 hours Away.
We are situated in the Shima Onsen area of Nakanojo Town,
part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Gunma Prefecture.
Access
3826-1 Shima, Nakanojo-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture
(Must See)
Don’t Miss the Unique,
One-of-a-kind Color of the Lake and River
Known as “Shima Blue.”
Shima Onsen
Why is it so blue?
There are several theories, but one widely believed reason is the reflection of mineral components from the hot springs flowing into the lake and river.
Oku-Shimako
Oku-Shimako (Lake Oku-Shima) is especially mystical.
You can explore the approximately 4-kilometer lakeside loop by bicycle, car, or on foot.
Natural River potholes
The Shima Onsen area features natural river potholes within easy cycling distance — fascinating landscapes sculpted by the forces of nature.
Day trip?
Workshops available
Workshops are Held Regularly, Allowing You to Experience the World of kusushiQui Even Not Staying at Our Inn.
We offer ongoing scent workshops where everyone ventures into the mountains to gather ingredients and craft their own incense.
