Hakone-Yumoto Station is the gateway to the Hakone region for travelers arriving on the Odakyu Romancecar. From here, the iconic red trains of the Hakone Tozan Railway wind through forested valleys and across mountain bridges on the short ride to Gora village and beyond.

Fans of Japanese pop culture may also recognize Hakone as the setting that inspired the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion, adding a subtle layer of intrigue to the journey.

Unlike smaller onsen towns, Hakone Yumoto offers dozens of facilities ranging from casual day-use baths to high-end ryokan. Visitors can choose an onsen that fits their schedule and budget — even if they only have an hour to spare before catching a train.

The streets around the station bustle with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops. You can sample specialties like hot spring manju, shop for local crafts (or some merch at the Evangelion Store at the station), or grab a pint at Gora Brewery.

With plenty of ryokan and hotels nearby, Hakone-Yumoto is especially convenient for travelers with larger luggage, offering an easy place to settle in and store bags before setting out to explore the rest of Hakone.

Just a 3-minute walk from the station, this elevated onsen brims with natural charm. With over 40 years of history, it is beloved for its retro atmosphere. Its close proximity to the station makes it the perfect spot for a quick break before catching your return train. Day bathers will also appreciate the free Wi-Fi available on-premises: perfect for uploading photos of the rest of your Hakone adventure.

The open-air bath is sheltered by a roof, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing soak in any weather. Day-use bathing costs 900 yen per adult (including tax), and face towel rentals are available for 200 yen (including tax), making it reasonably priced for a tourist spot. The onsen features 100% natural hot spring water, which is said to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, and chronic skin conditions, and it is also reputed to have beautifying effects for the skin.

A foot bath using the same natural hot spring water is available for just 200 yen (including tax), complete with hilltop views of Hakone Yumoto town, allowing you to warm your feet while taking in the picturesque scenery.

For overnight guests, two newly renovated guest rooms with private open-air cypress baths have recently opened. From both the rooms and their baths, you can enjoy sweeping views of Hakone-Yumoto while relaxing in flowing spring water straight from the source. Stays at Kappa Tengoku start from 5,650 yen per person (for two or more people), making it a great-value option for families or couples. Optional meals can also be added: a Japanese-style breakfast set for 1,100 yen and a dinner set for 2,750 yen (both tax included).

Located just a 7-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station, Yoshiike Ryokan is renowned for its beautiful 33,000-square-meter Japanese garden, which includes a historic villa and tea house registered as cultural properties. Guests can stroll through the grounds or enjoy the seasonal scenery directly from the baths.

All of the ryokan’s baths use pure spring water drawn from six sources, supplying up to 720 liters per minute without added heating or dilution. This mineral-rich water is said to soften the skin while offering a host of health benefits. Both overnight guests and day visitors can soak in the natural stone tubs surrounded by greenery.

In spring 2024, Yoshiike Ryokan also opened a new guest-only facility: the “In & Out Lounge”. Located on the first floor of the main building, this free lounge is designed for relaxing after a bath, enjoying a quiet moment between garden walks, or even catching up on work. A self-service drink bar is available from 7 AM to 10 PM, offering a rotating menu of coffee, café au lait, matcha au lait, black tea, green tea, milk tea, and vegetable juice.
Most rooms across the three guest wings face the garden. If you’d like to be sure of the view, you can request a “garden-side room” when booking. Thanks to Hakone’s abundant hot spring supply, Yoshiike is also one of the few ryokan able to pipe hot spring water into every one of its 64 guest rooms, allowing you to enjoy a private soak in your own bath.

For dining, the adjacent Yoshiike Steakhouse serves Japanese Black Wagyu beef steaks, a recommended stop for gourmets. Complimentary Wi-Fi and a website available in English, Korean, and Chinese add to the convenience for international travelers.

Furthest away from the station at about 12 minutes on foot, Hakone Yumoto Onsen Tenseien is a sprawling hot spring resort that can easily become the highlight of a Hakone visit. Conveniently accessible from Tokyo, it’s a place where you can stroll in a yukata, stop by the shrine, enjoy delicious food, and spend an entire day (and night!) making the most of its feature-packed facilities!

Within the garden you’ll find two waterfalls, one soaring over 20 meters, along with the Gyokuren Shrine, where visitors pray for good fortune and marriage. The garden can be enjoyed even if you’re not staying overnight, and the foot spas here are completely free.

One highlight at Tenseien is the 17-meter-long rooftop open-air “Sky Bath.” Incredibly spacious, it lets you relax in natural hot spring water while taking in Hakone’s seasonal scenery. Public baths are open 23 hours a day (closed just one hour for cleaning), meaning you can soak almost anytime you like. Private baths are also available from 2,200 yen per hour (tax included), with a separate entry fee required. And if you’re a daytripper, you are welcome to use the bathing facilities for 2,730 yen. Best of all, if you are visiting with your children, there are amenities just for the younger ones, incuding a baby bath set, mini bath mat, and a bathing chair.

The buffet restaurant is another highlight, offering freshly prepared sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki at an open kitchen. Carefully chosen ingredients and balanced menus make it a great way to experience Japanese food culture during your visit.

Nature and architecture aplenty, going around the various souvenir shops as you enjoy the different hot springs is one of the main draws of the Hakone Yumoto Station area. Refresh your body and soul in a region steeped in nature and history.

Check out the following articles to learn more about the area and how to best enjoy it.

(*This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in August 2025.)