Tokyo is exhilarating, that is undeniable to say the least. It’s neon-lit streets, packed trains, tiny ramen shops, and the feeling that there’s always one more neighborhood to wander into.
But after a few days of moving at that pace (eating, shopping, gachapon, repeat!), getting out of the city, even for just a night or two, can do wonders for the soul.
Enter Hakone. Just a short trip from Tokyo, this mountain retreat feels like a completely different Japan: misty forests, steaming hot springs, lake views, ryokan tucked into the hills, and little towns where the pace slows almost immediately.
You can spend the day hiking, riding the ropeway, cruising across Lake Ashi, or simply wandering, then retreat to a cozy hotel and soak your muscles back into submission.
And when it comes to where to stay, Hakone gives you plenty of ways to experience that slower pace.
Traditional ryokans, modern boutique hotels, adults-only retreats, affordable inns, and splurge-worthy properties with private open-air onsens are all part of the mix.
You don’t need to book an ultra-luxurious ryokan for a memorable Hakone experience! No matter what your budget is, if you’ve been dreaming of sleeping on a futon, wearing a yukata, and soaking in a private hot spring overlooking the forest, this is the place to do it.
The only tricky part? Choosing where to stay.
Hakone isn’t one compact little town, but a collection of neighborhoods and hot spring areas spread throughout the mountains, and each has a slightly different feel.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional ryokan, a private onsen, a romantic splurge, or just a comfortable place to sleep after a day of exploring, here are some of my top recommendations on places to stay in Hakone.
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Table of Contents
First Off, What Is A Ryokan?
Long before Japan had bullet trains, boutique hotels, or even modern highways, ancient travelers were making their way between cities on foot and by horseback, and they needed somewhere to sleep along the way.
Ryokan grew out of this tradition of roadside inns, giving travelers a place to rest, eat, bathe, and sleep as they made their way toward Japan’s major cities, including the capital of Edo (now Tokyo).
The experience was practical, but it was also deeply tied to Japanese hospitality. Guests would remove their shoes, settle onto tatami mats, sleep on futons, eat a traditional meal, and soak in a bath before turning down for the night.
The basic ingredients haven’t changed all that much, though today’s ryokan experience is considerably more comfortable.
Modern ryokans range from humble family-run inns to seriously luxe retreats, but the emphasis is still on Japanese hospitality and slowing down.
You’ll typically sleep on a futon laid over tatami, change into a yukata (a casual cotton robe), and dine on beautifully presented Japanese cuisine. Depending on the property, you might also have access to an onsen, a private bath, traditional gardens, tea ceremonies, or even a multi-course kaiseki dinner served in your room.
Okay, So What Is an Onsen?
You’ll often see ryokan and onsen mentioned together, but they’re not the same thing.
A ryokan is the inn; an onsen is a natural hot spring used for bathing. Many ryokans are built around onsen, particularly in Japan’s famous hot spring towns, but you can absolutely stay at a ryokan without one (and visit an onsen without staying at a ryokan).
My Top Pick For Best Ryokan In Hakone
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
- Opened in April 2017
- All rooms come with their own private open-air bath
- Public baths include a hot spring infinity pool and another in a forest, with a waterfall.
- Three restaurants on the property
- The breakfast buffet is complimentary with your stay, but you should 100% opt for the dinner package too!
- A great balance of luxury treatment and price.
Runner-Up: Fujiya Hotel – a lovely option if you like more of a regular ‘hotel’ style accommodation
10 Best Ryokan In Hakone For Your Next Trip
1. Kinnotake Tonosawa Ryokan
Cost: $$$$
Kinnotake Tonosawa Ryokan is an intimate adults-only ryokan that’s perhaps the most luxurious on this list. From the attentive 5-star service to the surrounding bamboo grove that creates the most inviting atmosphere, this ryokan will be a pure delight.
And the food? Oh yes, the food. The meals here are some of the best you’ll ever taste at any ryokan. They’re comparable to Michelin-star meals!
The luxury guest rooms all come with a private onsen bath. There is quite a variety of private onsen styles offered at this ryokan with names such as Haruka, Tsuki, Hoshi, etc., so half the fun is choosing the room you want! You can check them all out online and book the one that calls to you the most.
And as this is an luxury ryokan, it comes with extra amenities such as a complimentary mini bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices.
This one’s amazing — there’s no doubt about that — but because of how pricey it is, it’s not for everyone!
2. Retreat Hakone Villa
Cost: $$$
This one is an amaaaazing splurge-worthy option if you’re celebrating something special!
If what you really want from Hakone is to disappear into the forest for a little while, Retreat Hakone Villa makes it almost too easy. The villa-style property is tucked into the foothills of Mount Fuji, with spacious private villas surrounded by greenery and mountain views.
Inside, the rooms feel more like little countryside homes than traditional ryokan rooms, with generous living spaces, fireplaces, wine fridges, well-stocked complimentary minibars, and speakers with seriously good sound quality.
But the real reason to book? Every villa has its own private onsen. You can slip into the mineral-rich water whenever you want, without sharing the bath or worrying about a schedule—the kind of luxury that makes you want to slow down and stay put.
When you do venture outside your villa, you’ll find a garden, pool, restaurant, and shared hot tub, while you can enjoy breakfast and dinner in your room or in the communal dining space.
If you’re looking for a Hakone stay where the point is to wake up, soak, wander, eat well, and do absolutely nothing for a while, this is it.
A shuttle also runs to and from the nearby town of Hakone, making it easy to explore all this picturesque region has to offer. A bus station is also next to the hotel.
3. Hakone Kowakien Tenyu
Cost: $$ – $$$ TWE RECOMMENDED CHOICE
Travelers go out of their way to stay at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu to experience world-class service and to feel tranquility at its finest.
Opened in April 2017, Hakone Kowakien Tenyu offers Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring and private onsens, plus communal open-air baths made with Shigaraki pottery.
The highlight features of this ryokan include the private baths and the quality of the meals here. Both dinner and breakfast will be exceptionally good and beautifully presented. Not to mention, the staff members here are very attentive and will make you feel really welcome.
Upon arrival, you can stroll through the first-floor garden, then treat yourself to a relaxing couples massage.
For onsen amenities, you can choose from two public baths, plus the private one in your room. Both the infinity-style onsen and the waterfall onsen are great.
The resort also has an on-site bar and lounge, along with a Japanese-style restaurant. Hakone Kowakien Tenyu offers a self-serve breakfast buffet. For dinner, guests can enjoy Japanese and Western-style fusion cuisine.
4. Fujiya Hotel
Cost: $$ – $$$ TWE RECOMMENDED CHOICE
Bright, airy, and beautiful are the words that come to my mind when I think of The Fujiya Hotel. From the building’s exterior to the rooms to both the indoor and outdoor baths, this spot has got its aesthetics spot on.
Trust me, this hotel will far exceed your expectations. Not only can you enjoy the onsens on the property, but this hotel also has a museum, a garden and greenhouse, a spa and a restaurant in a converted Imperial Villa called Kikka-so Inn.
Rooms are divided into 5 different buildings constructed between 1891 and 1960, providing a variety of different architectural styles and decors for guests to enjoy.
And while the indoor onsen looks like a swimming pool, it’s actually fed by hot spring water!
There’s so much eating to be done here too! There’s the Main Dining Room “The Fujiya” that serves French cuisine in an elegant space. Restaurant Cascade offers Western dishes, while Kikka-so serves traditional Japanese kaiseki dinners. A bar, lounge, and bakery are available.
From enjoying tea and apple pie on the veranda, to dining on the French-style dinner and wine pairing to the most spectacular breakfast in the morning, it’s hard to find anything to not like about Fujiya.
In terms of location, the Gora area and Hakone-Yumoto Train Station are a 15-minute drive. The hotel offers a free shuttle from nearby Miyanoshita Train Station.
5. Kijitei Hoeiso
Cost: $$$
Kijitei Hoeiso is a wonderful ryokan in Hakone that specializes in Japanese-style accommodations features both outdoor and indoor hot spring baths. The rooms are beautiful, traditional, and just all-around immaculate.
Rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring with traditional futon bedding. Despite the traditional setting, there are some modern amenities as well! All rooms are fitted with both air conditioning and heating facilities. Each room is also equipped with a flat-screen TV and a fridge.
A Japanese breakfast and dinner are served in either the communal dining area or in the privacy of your own room.
When hotel guests are not eating, they can relax in the garden or unwind in the public baths. A private onsen can also be reserved.
This outdoor bath is very unique compared to others on this list because it’s situated right by the river. Can you imagine how relaxing it’d be to listen to the river babble while enjoying a soak in the onsen?
6. Hakone Fuga
Cost: $$
Hakone Fuga offers a more modern experience, with spacious rooms featuring hardwood floors and raised Western-style beds. In fact, the rooms here are some of the largest rooms you’ll probably stay at in Japan.
In terms of food, Hakone Fuga grants guests a creative Japanese-Western kaiseki cuisine experience for dinner and breakfast.
Guests can unwind in their very own private open-air onsen for an additional charge. You’ll just need to select a room with an onsen upon booking.
From the complimentary glass of wine at check-in to the beautiful foliage views from the guestrooms and the tranquil onsen baths to the delicious meals served here–you can expect quite the delightful experience.
While the property is a bit further from the main attractions in Hakone, a free shuttle service is available to guests, but only within 10 min from the property.
7. Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Cost: $$
Featuring a terrace with views of Lake Ashi, Ashinoko Hanaori offers a wonderful ryokan experience, from its soothing hot spring baths to its relaxing sauna.
Even upon arriving, you will be wowed. Almost immediately, guests are treated to a lovely view of Ashinoko that is made more breathtaking by the hotel’s infinity pond.
Each room will feature a view of either the lake or the mountain. Some rooms have balconies with private onsens, while others are more basic.
In terms of amenities, you’re going to find a good amount here. The ryokan has an expansive public onsen, a private onsen available for an additional charge, an on-site restaurant and shop, and guests can relax with a massage treatment on the property.
And if you’re wondering if Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori is in a good location, you can rest assured that it is! The property is located a 2-minute walk from Togendai Station, close to Hakone Ropeway and the pirate cruise boats.
There is also a free shuttle bus service to Odawara Station that’s offered a few times daily. Please note that this needs to be booked in advance.
Also of note is that both dinner and breakfast are both buffet-style as opposed to in-room dining.
8. Tensui Saryo
Cost: $$
At Tensui Saryo, you can expect great and spacious rooms with private open-air baths. And of course, like many ryokans in the area, the food will be amazing.
There are a few different rooms with private onsens you can choose from, but one thing is consistent among them all–the fact that you get to enjoy it on your own little balcony just elevates your experience that much more. The mountain views are incredible!
Once you are done soaking for the afternoon, it’s time to prepare for dinner. Emerge from your room dressed in your traditional yukata and head to the restaurant for an elaborate 10-course kaiseki dinner.
For all my coffee drinkers, they also provide drip coffee in the room! Another little bonus is that there is nice cafe right in front of the hotel.
In terms of location, Gora Station is literally just around the corner, with cable cars and a bus stop nearby. Given such a prime location, Tensui Saryo is ideal for traveling around Hakone for few days.
9. Hakone Suimeisou
Cost: $$
If you’re looking for a moderately-priced ryokan near Hakone Yumoto Station, Hakone Suimeisou is the place for you – it’s only 3 minutes away, making it a super central place to stay!
Its location is perfect if you want to take your time exploring the area and seeing attractions such as Odawara Castle and Hakone Open-Air Museum.
While this ryokan isn’t your traditional Japanese-style inn, it does a fantastic job of incorporating Japanese design concepts to make its simple, modern spaces reminiscent of traditional Japanese ryokan style.
You are able to reserve a room with its own private onsen, which you can use whenever you want. Aside from the other private onsen that can be reserved for a period of time, there is also a public onsen on the top floor that can be visited by all guests.
If you’re looking for that extra privacy, do try and book the private onsen room if possible, otherwise, the public open-air onsen on the top floor is great.
10. Laforet Club Hakone Gora Yunosumika
Cost: $
Laforet Club Hakone Gora Yunosumika is one of the best ryokan options for budget travelers who want to experience this traditional Japanese lodging experience.
Boasting natural hot spring baths, Laforet Club Hakone Gora Yunosumika offers guestrooms with either modern décor or traditional Japanese ambiance.
For an additional charge, you can upgrade to rooms with a private onsen–even though they do cost just a little bit more, getting a little soak in without leaving your room is so worth it!
In terms of location, Nakagora Cablecar Station is a 5-minute walk away. It is a bit of a walk to Gora Station, but luckily guests can take advantage of the shuttle service to the ropeway or Gora Station.
Guests can enjoy a Japanese breakfast buffet and a 6-course tasting menu for dinner at the restaurant.
A range of activities can be enjoyed around the property including hiking and canoeing.
Need To Know: Basic Onsen Etiquette + Rules
Your first onsen can feel a little intimidating, especially when you’re trying to remember which towel goes where and whether you should shower before or after getting in.
The good news? Onsen etiquette is actually pretty simple once you know the basics. The biggest thing to remember is that an onsen is a place to soak and relax, not a swimming pool or a communal shower!
Yes, you really do get naked.
This is probably what makes first-timers most nervous, but in 99% of cases, there’s no swimsuit option here. You’ll undress completely in the changing room and leave your clothes in a locker or basket before heading into the bathing area.
And once you’re inside, nobody is paying attention to anyone else. In Japan, it’s completely normal for no one to give it a second thought.
Shower before you soak.
Here’s the cultural distinction that trips people up: the bath is for soaking, not washing. Before you get anywhere near the hot spring, sit at a shower station and thoroughly rinse and wash yourself.
Most have a little stool, handheld showerhead, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Once you’re clean, you’re ready for the good part.
Keep your towel out of the water.
You can bring your small face towel into the bathing area, but don’t let it touch the onsen water! You’ll often see people folding it up and balancing it on top of their head while they soak. It’s partly to keep the head cool, and partly because there isn’t anywhere else to put it. Everything else stays back in the locker / changing area.
Final tip: Keep voices low, don’t splash, and avoid treating the bath like a social swimming pool. Then, enjoy and let the tensions melt away.
Essential Tips For Staying At A Ryokan
- Dinner and breakfast are typically included in the price of your stay. If you are given a choice upon booking, opt for the meal package! Expect a huge spread of traditional Japanese deliciousness for both meals.
- At some ryokans, you’ll eat sitting cross-legged on the floor. At other more Westernized ones, you can eat at tables while sitting in chairs.
- Just like in Japanese homes, it is customary to take off your shoes before entering Japanese inns. More modern ryokans might not require you to take off your shoes until you get to your room. No matter what though, you should never wear your shoes on the tatami mats.
- It’s customary to shower before getting into the bath so you don’t dirty the water.
- The traditional yukata that you’ll be wearing doubles as both pajamas and the outfit you wear to dinner.
- At some ryokans, walls are divided by shoji, translucent paper room dividers. Since they don’t offer much soundproofing, be mindful of other guests who might be sleeping.
- During breakfast, coffee is not always guaranteed (depends on the ryokan you choose). If you know you’ll need more caffeine than what a cup of green tea can offer, pack your own instant coffee to drink in the morning.
- Tattoos are technically still looked down upon in Japan. Many ryokans do not allow tattoos in public soaking areas. If you have tattoos, it may be best to look for ryokans offering private onsen tubs.
I hope this post helped you decide on the Hakone ryokan of your dreams! I know, it’s so hard to pick because they’re all so dreamy and wonderful, right?? Happy travels abroad!
Looking for more Japan travel tips? Read More:
10 Effortless Day Trips From Tokyo For Your Japan Itinerary
The Perfect 3 Days In Kawaguchiko + Fuji Five Lakes
The Perfect Kyoto Itinerary: 5 Days In Kyoto, Japan (+ Nara and Osaka)
Best Of Tokyo: The Perfect 5 Days In Tokyo, Japan
Osaka Day Trip From Kyoto: Best Things To Do In Osaka, Japan
Japan On A Budget: 50+ Ultimate Tips On Saving Money While Traveling
