Japan is quickly becoming one of the most desirable destinations for a cultural adventure, and it’s not hard to see why.
When I finally got out of Tokyo and Osaka, I was greeted in this town with gorgeous landscapes, views of Mount Fuji (and the lesser-known Mount Hakone), and traditional hot spring culture.
In a rich fusion of culture and nature, these tranquil hot springs, locally known as onsen’s, perfectly embrace Japan’s incredible hospitality. While the town boasts a variety of accommodations, from modern hotels to cozy B&Bs, it’s Ryokans that stand out among the lot.
The Land of the Rising Sun is an alluring country where tradition and culture meet innovation and modernity. Safe to say, all your senses are fired-up on arrival.
Ryokans offers an unparalleled immersion into Japan’s onsen and hospitality culture. And you WANT that picture-perfect stay: tatami mat floors, sliding shoji paper doors, soaking in a hot spring heated tub, and tucking into delicious traditional meals.
So, I’ve found 15 of the best Ryokans in Hakone, for small families to the most romantic ryokans for couples and everything in between.
Photo: @audyscala
Matsuzakaya Honten
- > $$$
- > 2 Guests
- > Private terrace with onsen
- > 24-hour reception
Mitake
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Traditional Japanese house and garden
- > Yukata Robes provided
Executive Japanese Room with Open Air Bath at Centurion Hakone Bettei
- > $$$$
- > 2 Guests
- > Sustainable accommodation
- > Traditional Japanese restaurant
Staying in a Ryokan in Hakone
Ryokans are more than just a place to sleep. They bring your journey through Japan into the heart of Japanese culture.
Warm hospitality is at the core of every ryokan, where you can expect friendly and helpful staff who will pretty much anticipate your needs before you even do. Seriously, the service is on another level.
Add to that two delicious traditional Japanese meals, including a multi-course Kaiseki dinner served each day, a minimalistic interior that will make you feel at ease from the moment you walk in, and additional extras like gowns, slippers, and toiletries, and you have yourself a classic ryokan experience.
Not to mention, ryokans are typically located in areas where there are plenty of hot springs – in this case, Hakone.
Here, most ryokans have direct access to the natural heated water and include indoor baths and open-air baths that are either shared or private.
When it comes to interiors, you can expect a simplistic style with traditional Japanese elements. Futon beds are laid out each night on the tatami mat floors, and rooms are separated with shoji screen doors. Bathrooms and onsens can be shared or private – take your pick.
What to Look For in a Ryokan in Hakone
While most Ryokans in Japan offer similar services – onsens, kaiseki meals, authentic interiors, and helpful staff, there are a few things that can set one ryokan apart from another.
If you’re visiting Hakone with a loved one, keep things classy and find a ryokan with private onsens and hot baths. If this isn’t in your budget, choose one where you can book a private onsen for an additional cost.
Let’s get real: half the reason you’re in Japan is for the food. Kaiseki meals are offered in most (but not all) ryokans. I highly advise finding one that offers breakfast and a local multi-course dinner as part of the experience.
I found the best ryokans in Hakone for me on Booking.com. The platform has the best filters and allows you to limit your search to Ryokans in exactly the place you want to stay in Japan. Airbnb has a few accommodation equivalents, too but their commission costs are getting a bit silly.
If you’re a private person and having your own bathroom is important (I don’t blame you), make sure to book a ryokan with a private ensuite bathroom. Even some of the most fancy properties have shared bathrooms, so you’ll need to double-check.
The Top 15 Ryokans in Hakone
Now that we know what to expect and what to look out for when choosing a ryokan in Hakone, here is my pick of the 15 most wonderful ryokans in the town.
Tsukinoya – Overall Best Value Ryokan in Hakone
Just a short walk from the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Tsukinoya offers a comfortable place to stay in Hakone. The ryokan boasts traditional Japanese interiors and has a hot spring bath.
Places to Visit Nearby:
- The Hakone Open-Air Museum
- Picasso Pavilion
- Hakone Gora Park
When it comes to value for money, you can’t do much better than Tsukinoya. Located in the middle of Hakone, within walking distance from the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the over 100-year-old ryokan features traditional Japanese lodging with three hot spring-heated baths.
Each room has tatami mat floors and shoji screen dividers and is fitted with futon beds, which are made up by the staff each night.
One of the more homey-feeling accommodations in the town, you can enjoy tea and make use of fast Wi-Fi throughout your stay.
Mitake – Best Budget Ryokan in Hakone
Japan can get expensive – and fast. If saving cash is your number one priority, this family room at Mitake has got you covered.
Mitake is a three-star ryokan set on a hill overlooking Hakone and is perfect for everyone from solo travelers to families on a budget. The rooms at this ryokan in Hakone on a budget are spacious and have direct access to the property’s gardens.
When you aren’t galavanting around town, enjoy indoor and outdoor onsens and relax in the traditional garden.
The Japanese breakfast is one of the best I ever had. And they treat their guests with table tennis and family-friendly board games in the shared lounge.
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View on Osprey View on REIJapanese Room with Open Air Bath at Centurion Hakone Bettei – Over-the-Top Luxury Ryokan in Hakone
Just because rooms are simple and baths are shared doesn’t mean a ryokan can’t be extravagantly fancy. And Centurion Hakone Bettei is here to prove it.
With four stars and a travel sustainable badge to its name, this ryokan offers the ultimate spa experience, with a hot spring bath, public bath, and open-air bath.
Easily one of the best ryokans in Hakone for luxury-seekers, each suite offers tatami flooring, a coffee machine and mini-fridge, and a terrace and private bathroom.
A traditional breakfast and Kaiseki dinner are served each day, offering authentic Japanese food and an onsen experience.
Matsuzakaya Honten – Best Ryokan for Couples in Hakone
Can you think of a more romantic place to stay than this suite with a private terrace and hot spring bath?
Perfect for traveling couples and honeymooners, Matsuzakaya Honten offers four-star accommodation that blends modern simplicity with great views and unbelievable service.
You get a big bathroom suite and a private covered terrace with a lounge area and onsen. After your traditional breakfast in your room, slip into your bathrobe and slippers and enjoy the spacious Japanese-style suite and onsen with NO distractions. At the end of the day, the kaiseki dinner will prepare you for a good night’s sleep.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Ryokans in Hakone
Hold tight, there are even more options to pique your interest! Check out a few more of my favorite Ryokans in Hakone!
Kijitei Hoeiso
Conveniently, there are plenty of ryokans with multiple futon beds in each suite. With four beds and plenty of space for a small group of friends, this is one of the best. Kijitei Hoeiso is set in the mountains of Hakone, surrounded by lush greenery and rushing rivers.
After a day moving between the outdoor and indoor onsens, the friendly staff will set up your traditional Japanese room with five futon beds on a soft tatami mat floor.
As one of the most unique accommodations in Hakone, the spacious room has a private bath with mountain views and includes the full breakfast and kaiseki dinner experience.
Onsen Guesthouse Hakone Tent
Another option for a group of friends traveling together, this ryokan is just a few steps from the Gora Train Station and the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
The interiors blend traditional Japanese with Spanish-inspired elements, with a classy bar area creating the perfect atmosphere for socializing with friends.
When you aren’t grabbing a drink at the bar, make sure to soak in the hot spring bath or rinse off in one of two shared shower booths.
This ryokan even has a shared kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals. If you would rather not cook, the restaurant serves a range of local and Western-inspired dishes.
Fukuzumiro
If you’re itching to share an authentic Japanese hospitality experience, this spacious room at Fukuzumiro is the perfect spot for the job.
In the Japanese-style quadruple room, there is plenty of space for two adults and three children to make themselves comfortable. These rooms feature tatami flooring and traditional futon bedding, with river views and a shared bathroom.
This spot even doubles as a great option for digital nomads. Stay connected using the complimentary Wi-Fi, and even make free international calls (to selected countries) with a phone in each room. Of course, guests can also soak in the onsen and enjoy a multi-course meal of local and seasonal dishes.
Emblem Flow Hakone
Cheap enough even for budget travelers to afford, this dorm room is a great alternative to a ryokan for backpackers. It might not be a traditional ryokan, but it shares a few similarities.
Emblem Flow Hostel offers classic dorm-style accommodation with added extras, including an onsen hot spring and an on-site bar. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with high-quality linens and warm lighting.
It’s designed to allow backpackers to experience traditional Japanese culture and hospitality without the usual high price tag. I also met some cool travel buddies here who I continued on my journey through Hakone (and also split some costs!) with.
Hakone Fura
Views aren’t expected in most ryokans, many of which overlook traditional zen gardens and courtyards. But this room at Hakone Fura takes appreciating views to the next level.
Set in the hills overlooking the brightly colored mountains of Hakone, the views change with the seasons at Hakone Fura.
Rooms are modern and simple, with plenty of natural light and warm wooden interiors, creating a welcoming atmosphere. For the ultimate Japanese spa experience, the accommodation has a hot spring bath and a public bathing area.
Yumoto Fujiya Hotel
By definition, ryokans are a type of all-inclusive accommodation that includes two meals per day and daily housekeeping.
A unique accommodation in Hakone for its all-inclusive offerings, Yumoto Fujiya Hotel will blow you away with its facilities and amenities.
And by this, I’m talking about six dining options, hot tubs, a large seasonal outdoor swimming pool, 24-hour reception, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Add to that a delicious breakfast included in the rate, river views, and suites with private bathrooms and hot spring baths, and we have ourselves a clear winner.
Yoshimatsu
If shared baths and hot springs aren’t for you, fair enough. This ryokan is so luxurious it offers private onsens for each suite. Yoshimatsu is a four-star ryokan with beautiful Japanese interiors and relaxing outdoor baths.
It’s a great option to stay close to Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. This amazing ryokan easily provides the best views, too.
Each classic Japanese suite features traditional tatami mats, yukata bathrobes, and ensuite bathrooms with a soaking tub. Enjoy breakfast and a seasonal and local set dinner menu in the comfort of your room or in a private dining room. Talk about luxury!
Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan
Like most destinations, location is paramount in Hakone.
Surrounded by greenery and mountains on the edge of town, Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan is within walking distance from the Hakone Open-Air Museum and the Chisuii Falls.
This spot has unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains, but it also features traditional Japanese interiors and a number of hot springs, public baths, and an open-air bath.
You could spend days on end at the ryokan, dining at the on-site restaurant, and enjoying the incredible Japanese hospitality.
Kinnotake Tonosawa
If simple interiors and traditional Japanese designs tickle your fancy, you’ll be in aesthetic heaven at this gorgeous ryokan in Japan. Kinnotake Tonosawa is an adult-only ryokan with spacious and modern Japanese rooms.
Each room features a private hot spring bath, a coffee machine, bathrobes, and a seating area with mountain views.
Instead of tatami floors and shoji screens, this modern take on the traditional ryokan features warm wooden interiors with Japanese elements.
If the relaxing rooms haven’t got you sold, the shared lounge, Japanese restaurant on-site, and classy cocktail bar will seal the deal.
Masutomi Ryokan
From its unassuming exterior, you would never believe this property is as beautiful as it is inside. Masutomi Ryokan is just a five-minute walk from the Hakone Yumoto Train Station and a short drive into the main town.
For the best Japanese honeymoon experience, book the Japanese-style suites with tatami flooring, a ground-level dining space, futon beds, and shoji screens.
While the ryokan offers shared onsen baths, guests can book out the private rooftop bath for an additional fee. Settle in and take advantage of the traditional meals, each prepared with local produce and served at the Kukuryu-an Restaurant.
Hakone Suimeisou
By definition, ryokans are one of the most authentic types of accommodation in Japan. Hakone Suieiso is no exception. A short walk from the Hakone Yumoto Train Station just east of the town, this ryokan is in a geothermal area dotted with hot springs.
Soak in the public baths before heading back to your air-conditioned suite for a cup of Japanese tea. Each suite has an ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and a bathtub.
Japanese cuisine is served for breakfast and dinner, usually in the comfort of your own room. This unique ryokan in Hakone offered me the most traditional Japanese experience of all!
Don’t Forget Your Hakone Travel Insurance
With every kind of travel, unfortunate shenanigans always have the potential to ruin your trip. This is why you should definitely consider some solid Japan travel insurance, even if you’re just embarking on a weekend getaway.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Final Thoughts on Ryokans in Hakone
There are few places that blend modernity with natural beauty so well, and Hakone is one of them. Here, nature takes center stage, surrounded by scenic wonders like Mount Fuji and Sagami Bay.
Shrines, towering cedar trees, and hot springs reign supreme in the town, where a stay in a ryokan will take your experience from exciting to unforgettable. Ryokans capture the spirit of the town, seamlessly blending into the natural surroundings of the region.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese tea ceremonies, indulgent kaiseki dining, and onsen experiences, these are some of the best ryokans in Hakone to choose from.
Remember to organize travel insurance for your trip to Japan. The country is considered safe to travel, but it’s always best to be safe rather than sorry when in a foreign country.
- Our in-depth backpacking Japan guide has all the essential info for your trip.
- Be sure to devise an epic itinerary for Hakone before you go.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international SIM card for Japan.
- The Land of the Rising Sun is worth exploring. Make sure to visit the most beautiful places in Japan.
- For adventurers, check out the best national parks of Japan.
- Get yourself covered with travel insurance for Japan.
Photo: @audyscala
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