5 cat inns in Gunma | Cottages with guest-room cat visits, Kusatsu, and Minakami Onsen

Illustration from Gunma Prefecture's Cat Inn Guide where cats relax on the stone steps of a hot spring town at dusk. Inn collections

This article is a research list of accommodations whose conditions could be confirmed as of 2026-08-19, based on Neko Yado Research’s published individual articles, audits of distance to cats, and official/current accommodation information confirmed in each article. Please check the official information of each inn before making a reservation, as business hours, cat availability, accommodation plans, and transportation conditions may change.

In Gunma Prefecture, we were able to confirm inns where cats come to visit the cottages, hot spring inns in Kusatsu, Minakami, and Okutsumakoi, and pensions with resident cats that welcome guests. The distance to the cat is divided into A, B, and C, and the atmosphere of the hot spring resort, food, and means of transportation also differ greatly.

Criteria for posting this list

All 5 published individual articles belonging to Gunma Prefecture Cat Inn Category will be posted. The order is not a ranking.

A/B/C are classifications that represent the distance to the cat. A guest-room visit is also not a guarantee, and C does not mean the accommodation is of low quality.

Accommodations where conditions were confirmed

Mori’s DIY Cottage Tsukutsukumura

Image of a cat spending time on indoor furniture Illustrative photograph; not a photograph of this inn or its resident cats.Illustrative image
Cat inn in Tsumagoi, Gunma "Tsukutsukumura" | Forest cottage where resident cats come to play
Tsukutsukumura in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture is an inn that is open to only three groups per day and has examples of cats coming to visit the cottage. We introduce the guest room, cat, and access.

Basic information

  • Location: Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture
  • Distance to cat: A|There are public examples of resident cats visiting independent cottages.
  • Check this list: Individual articles that organize current accommodation information and published videos
  • Accommodation features: Limited to 3 groups per day, 3 independent DIY cottages, transportation by reservation

Features of this inn

This is the only Category A accommodation in Gunma Prefecture where you can see specific examples of resident cats visiting cottages scattered in the forest. Because you stay in each building, the experience is different from waiting for a cat in the common lobby of a typical Japanese inn.

There is no guarantee that the cat will come or which building it will visit. Please follow the host’s instructions regarding opening and closing doors and windows, food, and how to interact with the cat outdoors.

Nakamuraya Ryokan

Image of two cats relaxing in a cat tower Illustrative photograph; not a photograph of this inn or its resident cats.Illustrative image
Cat inn “Nakamuraya Ryokan” in Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma | Interact with resident cats
Nakamuraya Ryokan in Kusatsu Onsen is an inn near Yubatake where the resident cat “Nakanyan” welcomes you. We will introduce how to spend time with cats, private baths, access, and precautions.

Basic information

  • Location: Kusatsu Onsen, Kusatsu Town, Gunma Prefecture
  • Distance with cats: B|There are public examples of long interactions with resident cat “Nakayans” inside the inn.
  • Check this list: Individual articles that organize current accommodation information and published videos
  • Accommodation features: Near Yubatake, 5 types of private baths with tatami flooring, hearth cuisine

Features of this inn

This is a hot spring inn near the center of Kusatsu where multiple resident cats, “Nakayans”, welcome you. In addition to interacting with cats, this is an inn where you can easily combine a walk in a hot spring field, a private bath with natural hot spring water, and mountain cuisine all in one itinerary.

Guest-room visits cannot be confirmed, so they are classified as B. Follow the instructions for the day regarding where the cat will spend time and what areas you can touch.

Pension Be

Image of a tabby cat by the window Illustrative photograph; not a photograph of this inn or its resident cats.Illustrative image
Gunma/Minakami cat inn “Pension Be” | Resident cat Torako and private hot spring inn
Pension Be in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture is a hot spring pension where you are welcomed by a friendly resident cat, Torako. We will introduce the distance from cats, private open-air baths, meals, and access.

Basic information

  • Location: Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture
  • Distance with cats: B|Resident cat tabby may meet you inside the inn and you may be able to interact with them.
  • Check this list: Individual articles organizing tourist association and current accommodation information
  • Accommodation features: Private hot spring/open-air bath, pension meals

Features of this inn

This is a pension that combines a friendly resident cat, Torako, with a hot spring that you can enjoy privately. Suitable for people who want the atmosphere of a small inn close to the host, which is different from the inns in Minakami Onsen Town.

Torako’s physical condition, whereabouts, and current way of interacting with her may change. Since we cannot confirm that you will be staying in the guest room, do not make it a requirement to stay in the same room.

Daikokukan

Image of a cat sleeping in front of the house Illustrative photograph; not a photograph of this inn or its resident cats.Illustrative image
Gunma Minakami Onsen cat inn "Daikokukan" | Hot spring inn where you can stay with rescued cats walking inside the inn
Daikokukan in Minakami-cho, Gunma Prefecture is a pet-friendly hot spring inn where multiple rescue cats often walk inside the inn. We will introduce the resident cats, guest rooms, hot springs, overnight stays, and access.

Basic information

  • Location: Minakami Onsen, Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture
  • Distance to cats: C|Multiple rescue cats walk inside the inn, but the range of contact is unconfirmed
  • Check this list: Individual articles that organize official information and current accommodation information
  • Accommodation features: Room without meals, hot springs, pets in the same room, relatively close to the station and restaurants

Features of this inn

A hot spring inn where rescue cats live and where you can stay with your own pets. You can easily combine it with a restaurant on the water based on a stay without meals, and you can choose from different conditions such as traveling by public transportation or traveling with your pet.

Although we can confirm that the cat is present, the location and conditions for guests to touch it are unconfirmed, so it is rated C. If you are planning to interact with resident cats, please inquire about the latest operations before making a reservation.

Hanaichi Hoshikawa Ryokan

Image of a tabby cat relaxing on the bed Illustrative photograph; not a photograph of this inn or its resident cats.Illustrative image
Cat inn “Hanaichi” in Tsumagoi, Gunma | Hot spring inn where rescued cats live inside the inn
Hanaichi Himekawa Ryokan in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture is a hot spring inn where several rescue cats live freely inside the inn. We will introduce the distance from cats, hot springs, guest rooms, and precautions.

Basic information

  • Location: Oku Tsumagoi Onsen, Tsumagoi Village, Gunma Prefecture
  • Distance with cats: C|Several rescue cats live inside the inn, but their contact range is unconfirmed
  • Check this list: Individual articles that organize current accommodation information
  • Accommodation features: Mountain hot spring inn, reservation-based transportation

Features of this inn

This is a hot spring inn in a quiet environment in Tsumagoi where rescued cats live inside the inn. Rather than relying solely on the presence of cats, I prefer traveling to stays in hot springs and mountains, and only keep an eye on them when I can meet them.

Guest-room visits and contact areas cannot be confirmed. For those who require closeness to cats, please compare with A, Tsukutsukumura, which is also located in Tsumagoi Village.

How to choose by purpose

  • Possibility of guest room/cottage visit: Tsukutsukumura
  • Kusatsu tourism and multiple resident cats: Nakamuraya Ryokan
  • Private hot spring and small pension: Pension Be
  • Train/Room only/Pets allowed: Daikokukan
  • Quiet Okutsumagoi hot spring: Hanaichi

Things to check before making a reservation

  1. Places where resident cats/rescue cats are currently staying and where you may be able to meet them.
  2. Rules regarding meeting cats in the guest room, cottage, or outdoors.
  3. Conditions for accommodation with meals/no meals, private baths, and hot springs.
  4. Transportation from the station, transfer reservation deadline, and winter road conditions.
  5. Applicable animals, necessary items, and rules for contact with resident cats when bringing pets.

Summary

Of the five inns in Gunma Prefecture, one is A, where visits to cottages equivalent to guest rooms can be confirmed, two are B, where contact can be confirmed inside the inn, and two are C, where attendance can be confirmed but the range of contact is unconfirmed. If you prioritize distance from cats, choose Tsukutsukumura, and if you prioritize hot springs and transportation, choose Kusatsu, Minakami, and Oku Tsumagoi.

Please also take a look at Kanto’s Top 10 Cat Inns and The Difference Between Inns Where You Can Meet and Touch Cats. The detailed basis for each accommodation is summarized in individual articles.

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