Ryuguden is situated the shores of Lake Ashi, in one of Hakone's more elevated and secluded areas.

To get there, you'll need to take a local bus — or a combination of the scenic mountain railway and a bus — from Hakone-Yumoto Station, the main gateway to the area.

While the journey takes a bit of time, the reward is more than worth it. As you climb higher into the mountains, the landscape gradually opens up into a peaceful lakeside resort setting. And when Mt. Fuji finally comes into view it's a moment you won't forget.

Ryuguden consists of two main buildings: the Ryuguden Annex, which houses the guest rooms, and the Ryuguden Main Building, a day-use hot spring facility. The two are connected by an indoor passageway, making it easy to move between them.

Guests staying in the Annex can enjoy complimentary access to the hot spring baths in the Main Building. Let's start by exploring the charm of the Ryuguden Annex, where the guest rooms are located.

The Ryuguden Annex was built in 1990 and features 24 guest rooms. On clear days, every room offers stunning views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji. While some rooms have Western-style beds, most are traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and futons — perfect for fully experiencing authentic Japanese comfort.

Many international guests tend to prefer the traditional Japanese-style rooms over Western-style ones. The views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji right outside the window create a truly calming atmosphere.

If you're staying in a Japanese-style room, I recommend sitting on the zabuton cushions, sipping some green tea, and soaking in the serene beauty of Mt. Fuji — it's a perfect way to immerse yourself in authentic Japanese culture.

Not only does the adjacent Ryuguden Main Building have a large hot spring bath, but the Ryuguden Annex — where guests stay — also features its own onsen bath.

Although it's an indoor bath only, it's exclusively for guests, so you can enjoy a peaceful, uncrowded soak. Large windows overlook a charming tsuboniwa - a small Japanese-style courtyard garden complete with stone lanterns - that adds to the tranquil atmosphere.

Many travelers coming to Japan look forward to enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine. At Ryuguden, dinner mainly features healthy, traditional Japanese dishes, but you'll also find Western-style meat options like steak and 'katsuretsu' — a Japanese take on the French cutlet.

When asked about the dishes popular with international guests, the staff said that tuna sashimi is especially loved by many visitors.

The meals feature local, seasonal ingredients. Vegetables known as Hakone Seiroku and Hakone Seiroku Beef are especially praised for their delicious flavor. Although Hakone is a mountain resort area, the nearby city of Mishima in the Seiroku region is known for its thriving agriculture, and fresh fish is also brought in from nearby fishing ports. In other words, Hakone benefits from an abundance of high-quality, fresh ingredients.

While Ryuguden doesn't offer vegan or vegetarian menu options, guests can find such choices at the neighboring sister property, The Prince Hakone Ashinoko, specifically at its Lakeside Grill restaurant.

If needed, guests staying at Ryuguden can arrange to dine there. Be sure to consult with Ryuguden's staff in advance if you require this option.

For breakfast, you can enjoy dishes like chawanmushi — a savory steamed egg custard made with chicken raised at the base of Mt. Fuji — and satsuma-age, a local specialty from nearby Odawara made of fried fish paste. The satsuma-age is especially unique because it's served kawara-yaki style — grilled on a traditional Japanese roof tile — letting you savor it hot while taking in the authentic Japanese atmosphere.

Ryuguden is actually located right between three famous shrines considered Hakone's spiritual power spots: Hakone Shrine, Hakone Motomiya, and Kuzuryu Shrine.

Lake Ashi itself is also home to the legend of the dragon god. In Eastern cultures, dragons are sacred creatures often worshipped as deities, symbolizing good fortune and protection.

Because of this connection, one of the most popular souvenirs among international visitors at Ryuguden is the Glass Crystal Ball, a delicate glass orb featuring a laser-engraved with a dragon. Its mystical charm makes it a perfect keepsake to remember your trip to Japan.

If you're looking for a small, lightweight souvenir, a Yosegi-zaiku keychain is a great choice. Yosegi-zaiku is a traditional craft from Hakone that involves creating intricate patterns by combining different colored woods.

For sweets, the popular choice is Hakone manju, which are steamed buns filled with sweet red bean paste (anko) and stamped with a hot spring symbol, a delicious and authentic treat.

Guests staying at Ryuguden can freely move between the Main Building and the Annex from check-in until 7:00 PM, and again from 6:00 AM until check-out. Although the Main Building operates as a day-use hot spring facility, overnight guests are welcome to use its baths as many times as they like during their stay.

The Ryuguden Main Building is older than the Annex and was originally built in 1938; not in Hakone, but by Lake Hamana in Shizuoka Prefecture. Back then, it was called the Hamana Lake Hotel and was designed to resemble the Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in Temple in Kyoto, a famous temple featured on the Japanese 10-yen coin. It was known as a very luxurious and extravagant hotel.

However, it was perhaps too upscale for its time, and the Hamana Lake Hotel only operated for about a year and a half. Afterward, the building was dismantled, transported to Hakone, reassembled by the shores of Lake Ashi, and reborn as Ryuguden in 1957.

The Ryuguden Main Building is an impressive sight. Its design is inspired by the Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in Temple, a Buddhist structure built in the late Heian period (1053), so the building beautifully reflects that era's architectural style.

In 2017, the Ryuguden Main Building was officially designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.

The highlight of the interior is the grand staircase and the open-air lobby beneath it. While guests can no longer access the second floor, it's worth stopping to take a memorable photo in front of this impressively elegant staircase.

Additionally, the hallways and wooden pillars still showcase the luxurious craftsmanship from the days of the Hamana Lake Hotel, along with the unique charm of traditional Japanese wooden architecture. Simply walking through the building is an experience in itself.

The baths at Ryuguden's Main Building are famous for their excellent views. If you're staying at Ryuguden, don't miss out on visiting the Main Building's baths in addition to the large bathhouse in the Annex. The water in the Main Building's baths comes from the same natural hot spring as the Annex.

The Main Building's bathing facilities include washing areas, indoor baths, open-air baths, and saunas. There are some differences between the men's and women's sections: the men's outdoor baths have two open-air baths — one of which is a covered semi-outdoor bath — while the women's side has one open-air bath. The men's sauna includes a Finnish sauna and a cold plunge pool, whereas the women's sauna is a steam sauna without a cold plunge.

Both the men's and women's baths offer beautiful views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi.

Relaxing in the hot springs while gazing at majestic Mt. Fuji feels almost like you're viewing the mountain from right in the middle of the lake, which is a truly magical experience.

The Main Building's baths open at 9:00 AM in winter and 8:00 AM in summer, but guests staying overnight can enjoy them starting as early as 6:00 AM. Early morning baths tend to be quiet and peaceful, making it a perfect time to relax and soak it all in.

The most breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji over Lake Ashi are said to be in the early morning. Being able to enjoy the open-air baths during this ideal time is a special privilege for overnight guests. Not only will you experience stunning scenery, but you'll also hear the morning birdsong, creating a paradise-like atmosphere.

Ryuguden is conveniently located next to Hakone-en, a leisure complex where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and various activities, making it easy to explore many nearby attractions.

The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway, reopened in April 2025 after renovation, offers spectacular panoramic views. In spring, don't miss the iconic 100-year-old cherry blossom tree by the lake, known as 'Kohan no Ippon Sakura.' You can also take a ride on the amphibious 'Ninja Bus' around Lake Ashi or enjoy a scenic cruise on the Lake Ashi sightseeing boat, which offers great views of Mt. Fuji and the torii gate of Hakone Shrine floating on the water. There's so much to explore! See below for some suggested activities.

We asked the hotel staff to answer some frequently asked questions about staying at Ryuguden.

There are plenty of hotels in Hakone, but not many offer views of both Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji. Ryuguden stands out as a wonderful ryokan where you can fully enjoy stunning scenery right from your window, traditional Japanese-style architecture, and Hakone's famous hot springs. Its convenient location makes it popular with families who often stay for longer visits. We highly recommend staying here to experience a truly memorable Hakone trip.

(Note: This information is current as of March 2025. Please check the hotel website for the latest details.)