Top 11 Best Ryokan in Hakone with Private Onsen
Hakone is a popular travel destination in Japan known for its hot springs (onsen), natural beauty, and stunning views of Mount Fuji. A visit to Hakone is not complete without staying at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), and many of them offer rooms with private onsen. Here are some of the best ryokan in Hakone with private onsen, and things you should consider when choosing a ryokan in Hakone.
Onsen are natural hot springs found throughout Japan, and they play a significant role in Japanese culture as a place for relaxation and healing. The thermal waters of the onsen are believed to have therapeutic properties that can help alleviate various ailments.
Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns that often feature onsen facilities, tatami-matted rooms, futon beds, and traditional Japanese cuisine. Staying at a ryokan and soaking in an onsen is a quintessential Japanese experience you need to try when visiting the country.
In Hakone, there are numerous ryokans, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxurious establishments with private onsen baths and exquisite kaiseki meals. We did a lot of research for our two-day trip to Hakone, and here’s our shortlist of the best ryokan with private onsen in Hakone. Additionally, we’ve put together some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a ryokan for your stay.
Where to Stay in Hakone
Hakone is actually quite large, and it is divided into several areas, each with its own characteristics. Here are some areas visitors often stay:
- Hakone-Yumoto: This is the gateway to the Hakone region and is the most developed area. It is the first stop when coming from Tokyo and is home to many shops, restaurants, and ryokan. It can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Gora: This area is located further up the mountain and is a central point for many of Hakone’s attractions, including the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone Ropeway and Hakone Gora Park. There are also many ryokan and hotels in this area, many of which offer rooms with private onsen baths. Gora is a very good base for exploring Hakone in my opinion.
- Sengokuhara: This area is located in the northern part of Hakone and is known for its beautiful natural scenery. There are also many art museums and galleries in this area, as well as golf courses and other outdoor activities. Sengokuhara is a bit more laid back and less crowded than Hakone-Yumoto and Gora, but it is also a bit more remote and less accessible by public transportation.
In terms of where to stay, it really depends on what you are looking for. You should also consider the proximity of the ryokan to the attractions you wish to visit, as well as its accessibility via public transportation or car, as Hakone is a large area with mountainous terrain, and getting around can be more time-consuming than you think.
As for us, Hakone-Yumoto had a bit too much traffic for our liking, so we chose Gora for our stay. We were very happy with our choice since Gora felt more serene and closer to nature due to its higher elevation.
Other Things to Consider
Besides location and budgets, choosing a ryokan in Hakone also involves other considerations to ensure that you have a memorable and enjoyable experience. Here are some important factors to consider.
Onsen
One of the main reasons people visit Hakone is to enjoy its hot springs. Check whether the ryokan has its own onsen, whether it offers private onsen facilities in your room or only communal baths, and whether the private onsen is open-air or not. Some people prefer the privacy of an in-room onsen, while others don’t mind using communal baths.
Meals
Most ryokan offer traditional Japanese course meals (kaiseki) as part of the package. Check what meals are included in your stay, and any options for dietary restrictions. The quality and presentation of the meals are an important part of the ryokan experience.
Not all ryokan offer in-room meals, so if that’s important to you, check the ryokan website carefully. We think it’s not super important to dine in-room, as long as the ryokan has a private dining room for us.
There are not many restaurants in Gora, so if you decide to stay in Gora, it is best to choose a place with dinner options.
Room Type
Traditional ryokan rooms have tatami mat flooring and futon bedding. From our search, some places have very traditional looking rooms while some have traditional rooms that are more modernized. There are also ryokan with Western-style beds and furnishings. Consider your comfort and preferences when choosing a room type.
If you have never stayed in a tatami room before, we recommend giving it a try. The tatami mats provide a firm but cushioned surface that is comfortable for sitting and walking. They also have a distinct, earthy smell from the woven rush straw, which we find quite pleasant.
Amenities
Check what amenities are included in your stay. Some ryokan have yukata (cotton kimono) for guests to wear during their stay. Others may offer tea and snacks in the room. Also check if the ryokan has a shuttle service to local stations as it may be handy.
Policies
Check the ryokan’s policies on check-in and check-out time, children, cancellations, and tattoos. Some ryokan may not allow tattoos in their communal onsen baths.
Best Ryokan with Private Onsen in Hakone
Staying at a ryokan can be quite expensive, especially if you choose one with a private onsen. Prices typically start at around 30,000 yen per person per night and can go up to 100,000 yen or more.
We have narrowed down our top picks for the best ryokan with private onsen in Hakone at different price ranges to help you with your search. They were the ones we researched and considered for our trip. Don’t forget to reserve far in advance as soon as you can since the good ryokan in Hakone often sell out quickly.
Madoka no Mori
- 🌐: Website
Madoka no Mori in Gora was the ryokan we chose for our stay and we were very happy with the experience. Surrounded by lush greenery, the ryokan has a very quiet and calming atmosphere. You can read our detailed review for Madoka no Mori ryokan here.
We think the rooms in this ryokan have a perfect balance of modern and traditional elements with tatami mats, comfortable bed and amenities. The private open-air onsen in our room is framed in a wooden tub and the water temperature was consistently good.
The food was also the highlight of our stay. Both the kaiseki dinner and breakfast were excellent with high-quality seasonal and local ingredients perfectly cooked and elegantly plated.
Gora Kadan
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Gora Kadan is one of the most luxurious and prestigious ryokan in Hakone. It is located on the grounds of a former imperial summer residence, giving it a rich historical and cultural significance. The rooms at Gora Kadan are designed in a traditional Japanese style, and many have beautiful views of the surrounding nature.
The restaurant at this ryokan is also open for outside guests. So if you are unable to stay here due to limited availability or budget constraints, you can still visit for a kaiseki meal.
Hakone-Gora Byakudan
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Hakone-Gora Byakudan offers modern amenities while maintaining the traditional Japanese aesthetic and hospitality. Guest rooms are spacious and elegantly designed with light-colored wood. All rooms have a private open-air bath.
Check Availability & Prices
Booking.com Agoda.com
Gora Hanaougi
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Gora Hanaougi is another top ryokan in the area and it is a sister property of Madoka no Mori with a lower price range. This ryokan is within walking distance to Sounzan station.
The rooms at Gora Hanaougi are spacious, featuring traditional Japanese decor. All guest rooms have open-air baths with views of the Hakone mountains or forest.
Hakone Suishoen
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Hakone Suishoen is a highly rated ryokan in Hakone with slightly more affordable pricing than most of the other ryokan in this list. The rooms at Hakone Suishoen are very spacious with a mix of Japanese and Western elements. The interior decor may not be as elegant and sophisticated as that in some luxurious properties on the list.
Check Availability & Prices
Booking.com Agoda.com
Fufu Hakone
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Fufu Hakone is a small luxury resort located in Gora. The Fufu brand in Japan is known for combining traditional Japanese aesthetics and hospitality with modern comforts and amenities.
All guest rooms at Fufu Hakone have a private onsen bath with windows that can be opened. Meals are served at their restaurant, not in-room.
Check Availability & Prices
Booking.com
Hakone Ginyu
- 🌐: Website
Hakone Ginyu is a luxurious ryokan located in the Miyanoshita area of Hakone. It is one of the most popular ryokans in Hakone and is known for its stunning architecture and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valley since it is on a mountainside.
This ryokan has both Japanese-style and Western-style guest rooms. All rooms have a private open-air bath.
Mikawaya Ryokan
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Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan is another traditional and budget-friendly option in Hakone. As a result, the interior decor may feel a little more basic. Guest rooms are very spacious, however not all of them have a private onsen bath. So please read the room description carefully when you make reservation on their website.
Check Availability & Prices
Booking.com Agoda.com
Yama no Chaya
- 🌐: Website
Yama no Chaya is another highly rated ryokan with private onsen in Hakone. All rooms are furnished in traditional Japanese style. This ryokan is located near Hakone-Yumoto station, and this area has quite a bit of car traffic so your stay may not be as quiet as you want. Recent reviews are also mixed, so you should read through before making the decision.
The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara
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The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, although not classified as a ryokan, provides an experience quite similar to a luxury ryokan stay. With just 20 rooms, this boutique hotel ensures an intimate and personalized experience for its guests. It is one of the nicest hotels with private onsen in Hakone. The hotel is located in Sengokuhara, and the scenery is beautiful.
Each room boasts its own private onsen bath. However, please note the hot spring baths of some rooms are in the bathroom, not open-air. The hotel also has a strong focus on gastronomy, however the course meals are Western cuisine instead of Japanese cuisine as at other ryokan in the list.
Check Availability & Prices
Booking.com Agoda.com
Odakyu Hotel Hatsuhana
- 🌐: Website
This is another hotel that features guest rooms with private onsen. Odakyu Hotel Hatsuhana has just been renovated recently, so the rooms and facilities are generally new. Guest rooms have a mix of Japanese and Western elements. The pricing is not too expensive compared to a lot of luxury ryokan in Hakone.
