Best Ryokan in Hakone: A Nature Lover's Guide

A former imperial summer villa turned luxury ryokan that consistently ranks among Japan's finest. The property draws from multiple hot spring sources, each with different mineral properties. The kaiseki dinner is a meticulously crafted seasonal progression. The gardens contain specimen trees planted during the imperial era. If you can only visit one Hakone ryokan, this is the standard by which others are measured.

Temple-like mountain ryokan where every suite has a private open-air bath. The suites are built with native wood beams, and the baths look into Hakone's mountain forest. This is the top choice for guests who want private onsen without sacrificing atmosphere or quality. The architecture alone, massive timber framing inspired by temple construction, justifies the visit.

Four hundred years of continuous operation on the banks of the river. Kansuiro is a registered cultural property where the wooden building itself tells the story of Japanese inn-keeping. The baths are modest but genuine, the service carries generations of confidence, and the riverside setting provides the sound of flowing water throughout your stay. This is Hakone's heritage embodied in a single property.

Heritage ryokan in Hakone's historic international quarter of Miyanoshita. Mountain hot spring baths and art collection in a property that bridges Japanese and Western hospitality traditions, a reflection of Miyanoshita's history as the first Hakone area to welcome foreign visitors.

Thatched-roof mountain inn on the ancient Tokaido highway, surrounded by cedar forest. Staying here places you on the same path that samurai, merchants, and pilgrims walked for centuries between Edo and Kyoto. The mountain cuisine and cedar-forest setting make this one of Hakone's most unique accommodation experiences.

Intimate riverside ryokan with detached rooms and private open-air baths above the Hayakawa River. The sound of flowing water accompanies every moment. Smaller and more personal than many Hakone properties, Yoshimatsu offers private onsen bathing with genuine seclusion in a convenient location just above Yumoto.

Deep valley retreat along the Hayakawa River designed for contemplative tranquility. The architecture channels the valley setting into every room, and the kaiseki cuisine reflects the mountain-and-river landscape. For those seeking stillness above all else.

A welcoming riverside ryokan known for exceptional kaiseki cuisine and warm service. Particularly well-suited for international visitors experiencing their first ryokan: the staff are experienced with foreign guests, and the atmosphere is gracious without being intimidating. The river rooms provide natural white noise day and night.

Sleek minimalist rooms with private terraced onsens overlooking Mt. Fuji on clear days. A more modern interpretation of the Hakone onsen experience, with clean-lined design and private bathing spaces that appeal to travelers who prefer contemporary aesthetics to traditional ryokan decor.

Secluded mountain inn with panoramic windows and full-service spa in Hakone's Gora area. Part of the Fufu brand known for combining traditional onsen culture with modern luxury sensibility. The mountain views through the oversized windows and the professional spa set this apart from traditional ryokan.

Forest retreat on the Sengokuhara plateau with nature-walk onsen and mountain art. The Sengokuhara setting is quieter and more nature-immersed than central Hakone, with pampas grass fields in autumn and a more resort-like atmosphere than the traditional ryokan in the valley below.

Both day-trip and overnight facility with 19 private rental baths in Hakone forest. If you want to sample Hakone onsen without committing to an overnight ryokan stay, Hakone Yuryo offers private forest baths bookable by the hour, perfect for a stopover between Hakone activities.