Hakone Hakone Travel Guide: Best Hotels, Restaurants & Experiences

Once the private retreat of the Imperial Family Kanin-no-miya, this ryokan occupies a privileged position within Hakone National Park, barely ninety minutes from Tokyo by rail. Rooms in tatami or semi-Western style open onto framed views of forested hills beneath Mount Fuji; several feature private open-air stone or wooden baths fed by volcanic springs. A mineral pool surrounded by massive boulders anchors the gardens, while kaiseki dinners showcase seasonal local ingredients with quiet precision.

Gora Karaku distills the Hakone onsen tradition into seventy rooms where private hot-spring baths come standard — a rare luxury even by ryokan measures. Guests choose between tatami and Western layouts, both rendered in muted tones and plush materials that feel contemporary yet rooted. The kitchen draws on hyper-local, seasonal ingredients, while meditative mountain views and a public bath complex complete the restorative picture. Families welcome.

Hoshino Resorts' Sengokuhara property channels the contemplative spirit of a traditional ryokan through an art-forward lens, with creative workshops and curated spaces designed to deepen guests' connection to nature. Every room features a private onsen commanding sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Families find genuine welcome here—children's menus, baby equipment, and art activities for all ages—while a single pet-friendly room accommodates four-legged companions.

Along the Haya River, this 94-room property reimagines the ryokan concept through a contemporary lens—Western-style furnishings replace tatami mats, graphic art adorns walls instead of calligraphy, yet each room retains its own private spring-fed onsen bath. The public baths feature a vast digital art screen, while the restaurant champions hyper-local sourcing, with ingredients drawn exclusively from within ten kilometers.

Gora Hanaougi occupies a quiet stretch of Hakone's Gora district, its traditional architecture housing private onsen baths fed by natural hot springs. The ryokan-style property welcomes families—a relative rarity among Japan's more exclusive thermal retreats—while maintaining dedicated spa facilities for those seeking therapeutic treatments. Rooms follow classic Japanese design principles, with tatami flooring and shoji screens framing views of the surrounding forested slopes.

Three natural hot springs cascade from volcanic rocks into outdoor pools at this spa set within the gardens of a former imperial villa. The mineral-rich waters, prized for their skin-nourishing properties, flow alongside sleek Japanese treatment rooms where restorative massages unfold amid the scent of exotic herbs. An indoor pool and Jacuzzi provide quieter moments between soaks in the open air.