Top 10 Hakone Ryokan and Hotels: Unforgettable Stays with Private Onsen and Scenic Views
Hakone is a popular tourist destination that offers a relaxing environment surrounded by mountains and nature, while being easily accessible from Tokyo. The area is bustling with tourists year-round, featuring various attractions including museums, amusement parks, and sightseeing cruises.
Hakone is also famous as an onsen (hot spring) region, with 17 hot spring areas known as "Hakone Junanatou" scattered throughout. Some hakone ryokan and hotels offer bath-only access without requiring an overnight stay, making it easy to enjoy the hot springs casually.
This article introduces hot spring ryokan and hotels filled with Hakone's charm, as well as hotels with unique concepts.
Two Types of Hot Spring Accommodations in Hakone
Hakone has two types of accommodations with hot springs: hotels with onsen facilities and traditional ryokan. Hotels tend to have a Western-style atmosphere, while ryokan maintain a Japanese style. Both offer distinct experiences and are highly recommended.
When choosing between a hotel or ryokan, consider your preferred way of spending time and your travel companions. Let's explore the characteristics of both types.
Hotels with Onsen
Hotels with onsen primarily feature Western-style rooms equipped with beds and sofas in modern concrete buildings. In these rooms, guests either change into provided slippers or keep their shoes on. The hot spring baths are typically located in public bathing areas or private reserved baths within the facility, which guests access from their rooms.
Traditional Ryokan
Hakone ryokan primarily feature Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring (traditional Japanese floor mats), shoji (paper sliding doors), and zataku (low tables for sitting on the floor). Guests remove their shoes before entering the rooms, creating a relaxing atmosphere. While these ryokan typically provide access to public bathing areas, some rooms also feature private en-suite baths.
Recommended Hakone Ryokan & Hotels by Category for an Ultimate Experience
Here are select hakone ryokan and hotels offering exceptional experiences by category.
4 Luxury Hot Spring Ryokan with Private Open-Air Baths in All Rooms
Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
Source: Official website
Opened in 2017, this hakone ryokan embraces "hospitality through nature and Japanese tradition." Every room features a 24-hour flowing hot spring open-air bath for private enjoyment.
The hilltop location offers spectacular Hakone views throughout. The library lounge café overlooks Ten-yu's valley garden, while the 6th-floor public bath faces Hakone's outer mountains. Famous for its infinity onsen that appears to merge with the scenery, the elevated view creates a floating sensation.
Perfect for those seeking panoramic views with their hot spring experience.
- Address: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0465-43-8698
- Website: https://www.ten-yu.com/
Centurion Hakone Bettei
Source: Official website
This boutique hotel offers an intimate hideaway atmosphere with "home-style luxury." All three room types feature private open-air baths for peaceful soaking.
Beyond in-room baths, facilities include private reservation baths and public baths. The public bath offers direct-flowing milky white Sengokuhara hot springs. The slightly viscous water is incredibly soothing.
Meals are served in semi-private restaurant spaces. Breakfast options include French-style sets with fluffy French toast, omelets, bacon, and salad - the melt-in-your-mouth toast is particularly exceptional.
Ideal for those seeking a private retreat experience.
- Address: 1285-389 Sengokuhara, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-84-5122
- Website: https://www.centurion-hotel.com/hakone/
Hakone Gora Onsen Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka
Source: Official website
This hakone ryokan opened with the vision of letting guests enjoy the elegant charm of all four seasons. All 158 rooms feature private outdoor hinoki (cypress) baths.
Four additional communal baths are available:
- Tamakatsura Bath House
- Kagaribi Outdoor Bath
- Private Outdoor Mori Bath
- Carbonated Spring Bath Room
The Kagaribi outdoor bath is particularly recommended, surrounded by lush greenery that creates a seamless connection with nature. The evening illumination offers a distinctly different atmosphere from daytime bathing.
A relaxation lounge on the second floor provides complimentary cold drinks and ice cream after bathing - perfect for cooling down.
Each bath offers a unique atmosphere, so try them all to find your favorite!
- Address: 1300-34 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-86-1222
- Official Website: https://dormy-hotels.com/resort/hotels/setsugetsuka/
Hakone Gora Onsen Tsuki no Izumi
Source: Official website
This boutique hotels in Hakone offers a premium experience in modern, stylish surroundings. With only 9 rooms, guests receive attentive personal service.
Each room features a private outdoor bath fed by Gora hot springs, known for their smooth, gentle water. The spacious baths are perfect for relieving stress.
The acclaimed dining experience features seasonal creative cuisine served in private dining rooms. The kinmedai sugatani (simmered whole alfonsino) is particularly recommended - the rich, fatty fish perfectly matches the refined seasoning.
- Address: 1300-173 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-82-8801
- Official Website: https://www.tsukinoizumi.com/
Three Hotels with Natural Hot Springs
Here are three hotels where you can enjoy natural hot springs.
Yumoto Fujiya Hotel (Hakone Ryokan)
Source: Official website
Located just 3 minutes walk from Hakone-Yumoto, this hotel offers access to Yumoto Onsen, the most historic of Hakone's seventeen hot springs. The onsen is known for its smooth, soft texture and skin-beautifying properties.
The bathing facilities include indoor and outdoor public baths, private baths, and a low-temperature sauna. The outdoor baths feature both rock and hinoki cypress baths. The hinoki bath, with its refreshing cypress fragrance, is particularly soothing.
The hotel offers various packages including anniversary plans, day-trip plans combining hot springs and meals, and golf packages that include one round at Fujiya Hotel Sengoku Golf Course with accommodation. Choose a plan that best suits your purpose.
- Address: 256-1 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-85-6111
- Official Website: https://www.yumotofujiya.jp/
Hakone Hotel Fujiya Hotel Lake View Annex
Source: Google Maps
This hotel's concept is "a lakeside resort space to enjoy beautiful moments," featuring Lake Ashinoko views from all guest rooms.
The hot springs include two areas: "Ashinoko no Yu" and "Taikan no Yu," which rotate between men and women. From Ashinoko no Yu's indoor and semi-outdoor baths, guests can view Lake Ashinoko, Hakone's outer mountains, and Mt. Fuji on clear days. Taikan no Yu features a circular skylight offering views of the clear blue sky during day and starlit sky at night.
The hotel has a private pier on Lake Ashinoko offering activities like kayaking and motorboating. These activities are suitable for beginners – why not try something new for your travel memories!
Recommended for those who want to enjoy hot springs while taking in spectacular lakeside views.
- Address: 65 Hakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-83-6311
- Official Website: https://www.hakonehotel.jp/
Hakone Hotel Kowakien
Source: PR TIMES
Hakone Hotel Kowakien, a distinguished hakone ryokan established in 1959, features a popular rooftop open-air bath with panoramic views of the Hakone outer mountains that captivate guests endlessly.
Hotel guests enjoy unlimited access to all areas of Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, even before check-in and after check-out. Yunessun offers various water activities, while Mori no Yu allows guests to enjoy Kowakien's famous hot springs while surrounded by nature. The facility includes restaurants, rest areas, and massage services, making it enjoyable for visitors of all ages throughout the day.
This hotel is ideal for those planning to visit Yunessun.
- Address: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Official Website: https://www.hakone-hotelkowakien.jp/
3 Recommended Unique Concept Hotels for Distinctive Experiences!
Bar Hotel Hakone Kayama
Source: Official website
Bar Hotel Hakone Kayama, located in Kowakudani, is a unique hakone ryokan concept where guests "stay at a bar." Check-in at 6 PM takes place at the scenic bar counter, where guests enjoy a welcome drink.
All rooms offer spectacular views of Mt. Asama and Mt. Myojogatake, creating a sense of unity with nature. I stayed in the Superior Deluxe Twin room, featuring a simple yet stylish space with comfortable leather sofas and chairs.
The private onsen is particularly popular, featuring a bar counter and sofa where guests can enjoy drinks while bathing. This perfect combination of onsen and alcohol explains the high number of repeat visitors!
The Bar offers hundreds of whiskey varieties and original cocktails selected by expert bartenders. Why not lose track of time and immerse yourself in this unique drinking experience?
- Address: 507-4 Kowakudani, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-82-0111
- Official Website: https://www.barhotel.com/
Hakone Honbako
Source:booking.com
Hakone Honbako is a unique hakone ryokan that opened in 2018 with the concept of "living surrounded by books."
The hotel's pride lies in its collection of approximately 12,000 books, including new releases, antiquarian books, and foreign publications, all centered around themes of "clothing, food, housing, entertainment, relaxation, and knowledge." All books are available for purchase. On my first visit, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of books lining every available space.
What caught my interest was "Someone's Bookshelf." This section features books selected by prominent figures who are leaders in their respective fields.
Even books from genres I wouldn't normally read became intriguing when recommended by these notable individuals, and I found myself inspired by various books during my stay.
The facility also includes the "Honbako Theater" where you can watch short films, with carefully selected works screened monthly. Why not break free from your routine life by finding inspiration through books and films?
- Address: 1320-491 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-83-8025
- Official Website: https://hakonehonbako.com/
HAKONE TENT
Source: Official website
HAKONE TENT is a hot spring guesthouse that opened in 2014, just a 2-minute walk from Gora Station. This unique hotel was renovated from a traditional Japanese house (kominka). Its pride is the milky sulfate hot spring drawn directly from Owakudani, available 24 hours with natural flowing source water.
The hotel offers 6 room types:
- Apartment (entire building rental)
- Male dormitory (Japanese-style)
- Female dormitory (Japanese-style)
- Single room (bed type)
- Double room (Japanese-style or bed)
- Triple room (Japanese-style)
Japanese-style rooms come with traditional futons. Being wrapped in the fluffy futon provides a sense of security that beds don't offer! When I slept on a futon after a long time, I was surprised by how comfortable it was and slept soundly until morning. When visiting Hakone, don't miss the experience of sleeping on a futon at HAKONE TENT.
The guest house, which the owner spent six months renovating, has a handcrafted feel and attracts visitors with its casual, welcoming atmosphere. It's recommended for those seeking a casual accommodation experience in Hakone.
- Address: 1320-257 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa
- Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: Never
- Phone: 0460-83-8021
- Official Website: https://hakonetent.com/jp/
