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Hakone is an otherwordly Mecca of relaxation, where the citizens of Tokyo - weary of the fast-paced demands of modern life - come to unwind and breathe in the clean mountain air. Scattered with ancient Shintu shrines, glorious tree-clad mountain ranges and dotted with meadows, it's most renowned for its geothermal hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. Perfect for a spa break, you can hike Mount Fuji, swim in Lake Ashi and walk through the Owakudani geothermal valley. The ryokan - the traditional Japanese hotel focused on wellness - comes in all shapes and sizes these days, from Swedish-styled, Alpine-esque affairs to traditional Japanese accomodation with paper slider doors and futon beds, and in our collection of the 12 best luxury ryokans in Hakone, we've covered all the bases. Check them out!
For families
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- Families love KAI Sengokuhara. Offering contemporary rooms full of light seamlessly mixing Western decor with a traditional Japanese style. Abstract art hangs on the walls above futon-style beds and washi paper screens. Each room comes with a private, outdoor onsen, and the restaurant serves kaiseki meals made from locally-sourced seafood. Kids will enjoy the evening art workshops and their own complimentary pyjamas.
For a spa break
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- The luscious, revitalising spa of Gora Kadan will relax even the most neurotic: with a pampering spa, swimming pool and gym, it ticks all the boxes. This should be expected, of course, because it was once the holiday home of the imperial family! Offering clean-cut, stripped-back contemporary rooms with Western beds and chic furnishings, the rooms are spacious and minimalist, and each boasts an outdoor onsen with views of the green mountains. One of the best luxury ryokans with a pool in Hakone.
- If Sweden and Japan had a lovechild, then Hakone Retreat Fore would look something like it. Designed for physical and mental restoration, the spoiling Swedish-style spa sits alongside the traditional hot-spring-fed onsen. The minimalist rooms have a contemporary feel: with creamwhite walls, they’re filled with light, adorned with with chic furnishings and modern takes on Japanese art. Plus, the two restaurants – French and Japanese respectively – have something for everyone.
For a traditional stay
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- Nestling in a green sea of trees and shrubbery, the KAI Hakone is a vision of Japanese bathing traditions. The rooms strike a modern feel with touches of Japanese aesthetic, and it’s a truly unique experience.
- Hakone Kowakien Ten Yu blends Western design with flourishes of traditional Japan. The plush, contemporary rooms have that low-lying, stripped-back, Japanese style, as well as private, terraced onsens with glorious, romantic views of Mount Fuji. The restaurant is a great highlight for most travellers: located on the fifth floor (with the accompanying views), it serves a range of cuisine – from Western favourites to Japanese specialties. A great stay for couples.
For romance
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- Yoshimatsu sits on a forested hill by a lake, offering striking, traditional Japanese rooms with a stripped-back, spacious design, complete with tatami mats and outdoor hot spring baths, and enchanting views of Mount Fuji. Couples will enjoy the intimacy that abounds here: luxury suites promise the ultimate relaxation – not forgetting their private outdoor onsens.
- An Alpine-rustic take on the traditional ryokan, Hakone Retreat Villa 1/F offers spacious, designer, wood-panelled rooms opening out onto a terrace with a private hot spring bath, and views of the leafy forest. Offering both Japanese and French cuisine in the restaurant, it’s a smart and spoiling stay. Not to be missed!
- Kinnotake Tonosawa has the architecture of serenity, outside and in. The minimalist, contemporary rooms have low-watt lighting promising tranquility after bathing in the private onsen, and the floor-to-ceiling windows boast beautiful views of the forest stretching out before you. The Kyo Kaiseki dining in the restaurant completes this mesmerising experience. Unforgettable.
For great value
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- Ginyu Ryokan is a traditional ryokan in the idyllic Hakone mountains and forests. Offering classic Japanese rooms with private terraces and outdoor hot spring baths, it promises relaxation and tranquility, and the tradition of a fine Kaiseki meal in the restaurant. Utterly romantic, it’s a stunning getaway for couples on a budget.
- Gora Hanaougi sprawls like a temple of peace deep in the mountains. With spacious and elegant suites adorned with native wood beams and open-air baths, it’s a luxurious ryokan that won't break te bank. The hotel’s onsen boasts some spectacular views of the cherry blossom, creating a sense of otherworldly tranquility that merely adds to the hot spring waters bubbling all around you.
Still not sure?