When you visit Japan, staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan inn with its distinctive ambiance is a must.

In Hakone, numerous ryokan feature both hot springs and quintessential Japanese architectural charm. Most inns also provide packages that include dinner and breakfast, allowing you to fully unwind and indulge in a leisurely get away right at the inn.

Gora Kadan is a renowned, high-end traditional Japanese inn located in the Gora area of Hakone that enjoys immense popularity among international tourists. Apart from its stunning architecture with its traditional charm, you can also experience Japan's refined hospitality here, making it a luxurious getaway.

Not only is it acclaimed globally as one of the finest inns, but has also undergone rigorous scrutiny by world authorities and is part of the prestigious "Relais & Chateaux" alliance of top-notch restaurants and hotels in France.

The standout feature of Gora Kadan is that many of its rooms have dedicated gardens and open-air baths. It also has three types of hot springs with water flowing directly from underground sources. Guests can fully enjoy these rejuvenating hot springs right in the comfort of their room's bath, providing an excellent opportunity for relaxation and healing. Additionally, taking a leisurely stroll within the expansive hotel grounds adds another charming aspect to its allure.

Hakone Suimeisou is nestled in the heart of Hakone Yumoto Onsen Town, just a 2-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto Station. With a total of 28 traditional Japanese-style rooms, ranging from accommodations for four people to those for eight, it's an ideal choice for larger groups. Every room offers enchanting views of the changing seasons along the Hayakawa River, ensuring a constant natural source of relaxation for your body and soul.

The hot springs at Hakone Suimeisou include a large communal bath, private rental baths, and the 'Tsukimi no Yu' open-air bath, where you can relax while enjoying the expansive blue sky and the charming Eikan-do Temple forest throughout the day. At night, it offers an equally enchanting experience with a sky full of stars and the bright moon. For busy travelers, these rare, luxurious vistas are truly a treat.

For dinner, you can savor a seasonal banquet-style meal of traditional Japanese 'Kaiseki' cuisine either in your room or a private dining area. This exquisite dining experience features carefully selected, fresh seafood and vegetables from the current season, ensuring that every bite reflects the inn's heartfelt hospitality. They also offer à la carte options like Japanese fried chicken and Ashigara steak for those who might not be accustomed to Japanese cuisine, so there's something to please every palate.

Nestled in tranquil surroundings, Setsugetsuka is only a 1-minute walk from Gora Station. With a variety of room options, including Japanese- and Western-style rooms, each has spacious bedding for a comfortable rest. Additionally, every room features an open-air bath, not filled with hot spring water but still offering a delightful bathing experience while enjoying the area's natural beauty from the comfort of your room.

The onsen at Setsugetsuka includes two large communal baths and three private rental baths. The large communal baths are the 'Tamakatsura no Yu' and the expansive open-air bath, 'Kagaribi no Yu.' The 'Kagaribi no Yu' provides a different lighting experience during the day and at night, creating a fantastical ambiance various times.

Guests can also enjoy the use of three private rental baths - 'Mikazuki,' 'Manten,' and 'Hanaga.' With so many bathing options available, it truly lives up to the title of a 'Hakone hot spring journey.'

For dinner, guests have two meal options, and depending on their choice, will dine in different restaurants. Opting for the Japanese banquet-style meal and seasonal hot pot will lead you to the 'Kachou' restaurant. If you choose the Wagyu shabu-shabu, tempura, and sushi, you'll dine at the 'Kagetsu' restaurant. And if you find yourself craving a late-night snack after dinner, don't worry! Setsugetsuka offers complimentary 'Yomogisoba' (buckwheat noodles) service between 10 and 11 PM – perfect for visitors who enjoy late-night treats!

Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan, established in the 16th year of the Meiji era, 1883, stands gracefully on the slopes of Mount Hakone. The beautiful garden known as "Houraien," created by the founder of Mikawaya Ryokan, Kyozo Enomoto, has become a famous location for autumn leaves in Hakone. In fall, it transforms into a breathtaking display of vibrant colors that is simply mesmerizing.

Each room at Mikawaya Ryokan offers a unique view, with diverse scenery, room layouts, and styles. Among them, there is even a room where Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of Taiwan, once stayed.

Mikawaya Ryokan is located in the Kowakudani Onsen, one of Hakone's Seventeen Hot Springs. This hot spring is known for its mildly alkaline and pure waters, which are particularly effective for warming up cold hands and feet. Besides enjoying the communal baths, guests can also indulge in the pleasure of soaking in open-air baths right in their own rooms. Especially in fall, you can appreciate the the warm waters while admiring the vibrant colors outdoors, making it a refreshing and invigorating experience.

Dinner at Mikawaya Ryokan features a delightful combination of hot pot and seasonal ingredients. They also offer children's meals, so there's no need to worry about the little ones adapting to adult flavors. For breakfast, guests can savor a hearty set meal crafted from the bounties of Sagami Bay and the surrounding Hakone region, ensuring a bright start to the day.

Mount View Hakone is conveniently located near the Sengokuhara Culture Center bus stop, offering easy access for travelers. The hot spring here is a rare milky-white sulfur spring, rich in sulfur, iron, and various minerals. It's known for its ability to alleviate bodily stiffness and fatigue, providing a profound sense of relaxation. It's a must-visit for busy individuals seeking relief from their hectic lives and high stress levels.

The hot spring facilities at Mount View Hakone include separate outdoor baths for men and women, known as 'Kawaboku no Yu,' as well as three private reserved baths. While there is an additional fee for the private baths, they offer an undisturbed and truly worthwhile experience of enjoying a private soak. You can simply inform the front desk during check-in if you wish to reserve one.

The hotel's accommodations include Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms, including the unique offering of single-person Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, which are not commonly found in traditional Japanese inns. If you often travel alone, this is definitely worth noting for your future trips!

For dinner, the hotel presents a delightful banquet style Kaiseki meal. The menu is changed monthly, guaranteeing that guests savor the finest and most seasonal ingredients at their peak freshness. For breakfast, you can anticipate a nourishing Japanese meal that will invigorate you for the day ahead, and ensuring a great start to your day's journey.

For travelers who are more accustomed to sleeping on spring mattresses and prefer Western-style cuisine, Hakone's hot spring hotels offer a wider range of accommodation options. While these hotels may have a less traditional Japanese ambiance, you can still savor the most considerate hospitality and exquisite cuisine.

Located at an elevation of 860 meters and surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Hakone, Hotel Green Plaza Hakone is a resort-style hotel that offers breathtaking views of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Fuji. The hotel provides a convenient shuttle bus service (reservation required) to attractions like the Hakone Glass Forest Museum, POLA Museum, Hakone Lalique Museum, and the Hakone Wetlands Botanical Garden, making it easy for guests to explore the nearby art museums hassle-free. This adds to the overall charm of the hotel.

The hotel is situated in the Sengoku Onsen area, where the hot springs are rich in skin-nourishing minerals. After bathing in these waters, guests often come away with soft, silky-smooth skin, a quality that has garnered high praise from visitors.

The dinner's premium buffet offers a wide selection of over 50 dishes. In addition to grilled beef, Parmesan cheese spaghetti, and crispy pizza, you'll find a rich variety of Japanese cuisine such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, and hot pot dishes – all essential must-tries when traveling in Japan. It's a feast that caters to a diverse range of tastes and preferences.

Furthermore, all guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a tablet device called "ee-Tab." With this tablet, guests can access information about the hotel, weather updates, transportation details, local tourist information, and even enjoy the view of Mount Fuji from the hotel.

The tablet supports multiple languages, including English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, enhancing the convenience and accessibility for guests from different backgrounds. It's a handy tool for staying informed and entertained during your stay.

Surrounded by lush green forests, Wisterian Life Club Verde no Mori is a resort-style hotel that offers both the tranquility of forest bathing and the relaxation of hot springs. The hotel provides convenient access to popular tourist destinations like Gotemba, as all attractions and facilities are concentrated in the same area, allowing you to enjoy your Hakone vacation with ease.

Please note that complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the hotel lobby for your convenience.

In the SPA, there are nine different types of hot spring facilities available for everyone to enjoy, including jet showers, massage water columns, and high-pressure baths. There are sports facilities such as table tennis and a swimming pool. The restaurant offers a view of Mount Ashinoko, adding to the overall experience.

Another appealing aspect is the nearby themed hot spring amusement park, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, where you can enjoy hot springs while wearing swimsuits. Inside the park, you'll find numerous fun attractions like water slides and pools, all created using hot spring water. It's a highly popular destination that's perfect for a family outing.

The Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora is the first Japanese branch of the stylish and trendy Indigo Hotel brand. Its modern, fashionable design gives you the feeling of residing in an art gallery. The location is impeccable, situated near the Miyagino Cherry Blossom Promenade, a popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Hakone. Not only can you enjoy the hot springs, but in spring, you can also witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom, making it the best time to stay here.

The accommodations are divided into north and south wings, offering a total of 4 guest rooms and 4 suites. Each guest room features a private hot spring bath with scenic views. You can choose between mountain-view rooms or river-view rooms. Between the two wings, there's a courtyard with a hot spring foot bath. The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center and a large communal bath. Please note that swimwear is required for the communal bath, so even those who may uncomfortable with nude bathing can still fully enjoy it.

Breakfast is served in the riverside restaurant located on the first floor of the south wing. It's a buffet-style breakfast with a choice of Japanese or Western main dishes, accompanied by salads, beverages, and more. Enjoying breakfast while gazing at the scenic view of the Haya River is a truly relaxing experience.

The highly popular luxury hot spring accommodation, FUFU Hakone Retreat, has made its mark in Hakone. Fufu Hakone, which opened its doors on January 26, 2022, is themed around the healing power of forest aromas, rocks, flowers, and the scenic Hakone mountains. It's the perfect choice for those seeking a nature-centric retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The rooms at Fufu Hakone are spacious. Not only do they offer panoramic windows that provide exclusive views of the beautiful Hakone landscape, but they also feature an in-room experience with one of Hakone's Seventeen Hot Springs – the Gora Onsen so you can enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot spring whenever you please. The combination of comfortable rooms, breathtaking scenery, and soothing hot springs is the perfect recipe for a lazy, rejuvenating getaway.

For both dinner and breakfast, you can dine at the in-house restaurant, 'Yamanosho.' They offer a customized dining experience with delicious options like seasonal vegetable tempura, Wagyu sukiyaki, and fresh sushi, allowing guests to create their own exquisite combinations. There's also a teppanyaki restaurant where you can savor live-cooked meals and a bar for those seeking a wide range of culinary delights, ensuring that even your taste buds can indulge in luxury.

The predecessor of the Odakyu Hotel de Yama, with a history of over 70 years, was once the villa of Baron Miyata Iwasaki. Its European-style castle architecture, along with the vibrant azalea bushes in front of the hotel, creates a rich aristocratic ambiance. When fall arrives, the 'Autumn Foliage Path' within the hotel's grounds turns into a mesmerizing display of yellow and red leaves, making it a sought-after destination for leaf-viewing enthusiasts!

Odakyu Hotel de Yama features the Ashinoko Onsen, which is an alkaline hot spring known for its ability to leave your skin smooth and supple. It's often referred to as the 'Beauty Bath.' Additionally, the hotel offers a sauna, a steam room, and spa facilities. After a soothing soak in the hot spring, indulging in a sauna or spa treatment helps your skin detoxify, leaving you with skin as soft as a baby's!

All guest rooms offer breathtaking views of Lake Ashinoko throughout the year, and some even feature open-air baths for a truly relaxing getaway. It's the perfect recipe for a fantastic vacation. Within the hotel, you'll find a French restaurant, Japanese cuisine, a bar, and the 'Premium Shop & Salon de thé Rosage' located in a separate building.

The French restaurant 'Vert Bois' has an excellent ambiance, with outdoor seating that allows you to enjoy the ever-changing beauty of Lake Ashinoko while savoring fragrant teas. It feels like a royal experience.

Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori is just a 2-minute walk from Momoyama-dai Station. Despite being called a hotel, its room design, overall ambiance, and services are more akin to a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan). You can even stroll around inside the hotel wearing a yukata (casual kimono) and wooden clogs, just like in a ryokan.

On the 3rd floor, where the lobby is located, you'll find an outdoor terrace, a foot bath, and Instagram-worthy spots that change with the seasons. Many tourists love to capture beautiful photos here.

Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori offers a variety of bathing options, including lake-view open-air baths, garden-view open-air baths, and two private reserved baths, all sourced from the natural hot springs of Moto-Hakone. The springs are known for their therapeutic properties, providing relief for ailments like nerve pain, cold extremities, and stiff shoulders. Bathing in these soothing waters while taking in the scenic views and the changing landscapes allows you to savor the beauty of the present moment.

Both breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style in a bright, open restaurant that offers panoramic views of the endless horizon of Lake Ashinoko. Coupled with a wide variety of dishes expertly crafted by the chefs, the dining experience is a feast for the senses, satisfying taste buds, vision, and the soul.

Hotels and inns often have limited room capacity, and you may worry about disturbing other guests with louder conversations. In such cases, choosing to stay at a private villa or similar accommodation can be a great option. Not only can they accommodate more people, allowing for lively conversations, but are also often equipped with kitchens, so you can even showcase your culinary skills if you wish!

Rakuten, the popular online shopping site, has also diversified its business into the hotel and travel industry. One of their accommodations in Hakone is the Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Sengokuhara. Each villa can accommodate up to 10 people and includes a living room, dining area, kitchen, bedrooms, indoor hot spring, outdoor foot bath, and a garden. Some villas even include a BBQ option. Plus, there are four pet-friendly villas, making it a perfect destination for trips with friends, family, and even furry friends. You can have fun without worrying about disturbing other guests, making these villas ideal for travelers who love a lively atmosphere!

While the villas do come equipped with kitchens, if you prefer not to prepare your own meals, there's no need to worry. The Rakuten STAY VILLA Hakone Sengokuhara offers meal-inclusive plans such as the 'Sukiyaki Package' and the 'BBQ Package.' Even if you come empty-handed, you can enjoy a luxurious dinner. They even have a home beer dispenser option, allowing you to enjoy beer with your BBQ and the snacks you've prepared. It's truly a delightful experience!

Nestled in the expansive forest, HAKONE RETREAT VILLA by Onko Chishin is just a 5-minute walk from the Hakone Glass no Mori Venetian Glass Museum bus stop. It offers not only 11 independent villas where you can truly relax but also shared facilities like a large communal bath and terrace. Additionally, each villa features a private hot spring bath, allowing you to unwind without interruption. Some villas even offer the extra luxury of open-air hot spring pools and semi-open-air baths, further elevating your relaxation experience!

Within the premises of HAKONE RETREAT VILLA lies 'Ryotei Tawaraishi,' a long-established inn that was visited three times by Japan's former emperor. Both the architectural style and materials used in this historical building are highly valuable. If you wish to savor authentic Japanese banquet cuisine within this precious structure, advance reservations are necessary.

In addition to hot spring baths and dining, HAKONE RETREAT VILLA offers a variety of paid experiential services such as tea ceremony, pottery making, hiking, and more, making your Hakone journey not only a soothing hot spring escape but also an opportunity to gain diverse cultural exposure, enriching your overall travel experience.

Travelers on a budget who enjoy making friends along the way can opt for affordable guest houses or youth hostels. Some facilities are shared and these accommodations often have common areas like lounges where you can meet travelers from various countries and interact with local Japanese residents. It's a great way to exchange travel information and can make for a wonderful social experience.

Fuji-Hakone Guest House places a strong emphasis on fostering interaction and communication with international tourists. It can be described as an 'international exchange-oriented guesthouse' that is immensely popular among travelers from around the world, resulting in a high rate of repeat visits.

Approximately 170,000 guests from 75 different countries have stayed here, and many consider it a place where you can really experience the authentic essence of Japan. The guesthouse's warm hospitality has received high praise, with some guests saying they've stayed here 9 out of 10 years, and other spanning across three generations, speaking to its exceptional charm.

The guesthouse offers both open-air baths (500 yen for 30 minutes, tax included) and indoor baths, all fed by waters from Ōwakudani. You can rent baths for your exclusive relaxation, providing much-needed relief for tired bodies and minds. The waters are rich with 20 different minerals, benefiting both beauty and health.

The spring's milky white appearance is one of its distinctive features. Another bonus is that even if you have tattoos, you are still allowed to use the baths, which is quite uncommon among Hakone's various hot spring facilities.

In Fuji-Hakone Guest House, one of the most popular aspects is the opportunity to participate in various activities to learn about traditional Japanese culture.

These include tea ceremonies, traditional musical instruments, kimono dressing, traditional crafts, and more. They not only allow guests to immerse themselves in Japanese traditions but also provide opportunities for social interaction among travelers. The guesthouse periodically hosts events that encourage "encounters, exchanges, and mutual learning" with others, so it's a good idea to check their website for upcoming events before your visit. In the past, the guesthouse has also organized events that facilitate interactions between travelers and local Japanese residents.

Onsen Guesthouse HAKONE TENT is a hostel transformed from an old inn. It's conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from Gora Station. The hostel offers a 24-hour hot spring bath, and there's a communal kitchen with basic amenities like condiments, instant coffee, tea bags, an oven, microwave, and various tableware.

While it's simple, it has everything you need. The on-site bar serves a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as simple dishes. It's the perfect place to relax after a bathing in the hot springs!

The hostel offers different types of rooms to suit various preferences. They have dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds for those who don't mind sharing with other travelers. If you prefer more privacy, there are 3-person rooms, double rooms, and single rooms available. Additionally, they have separate cottages that can be rented entirely, providing an even higher level of privacy for those seeking it.

Relaxing in hot springs is one of the most soothing and stress-relieving activities you can experience in Japan. When combined with comfortable accommodations, stunning scenery, and top-notch service, it becomes the epitome of luxury and indulgence. Beyond the physical rejuvenation, you'll get to witness the beauty of Japan's changing seasons, and the warmth and attentive hospitality of the people – all of which make Hakone an enchanting destination. The next time you visit Hakone, consider staying at the hot spring accommodation that best suits your budget and preferences.

Please note that this article was originally published in July 2019 and has been revised in September 2023. For the latest information, please refer to the official website.

Original Article by MEDIUM Co., Inc.