4-Star Hotels in Hakone

I took a bus from Odawara Station, got off at the “Verde no Mori” bus stop, and reached the property in about an 8-minute walk. As it was my first time visiting Hakone, walking uphill from the bus stop while carrying a suitcase made me feel a bit uneasy at first. However, once I arrived, I was warmly welcomed with a welcome drink, and they kindly accommodated an early check-in, which was a big relief. The room was spacious with a beautiful view, and I was thrilled to finally experience a semi-open-air bath, something I had always dreamed of. The location is extremely quiet, making it a perfect place to truly relax and enjoy a peaceful escape from everyday life. There isn’t much around the property. If you have a car, this won’t be an issue, but for those without one (like me this time), I recommend bringing some snacks just in case. Although I didn’t use it, the hotel also seems to offer shuttle service to nearby bus stops. Dinner, which I reserved in advance, was served in a private dining room and featured a kaiseki-style menu. During my stay in late January, the sashimi course originally included bluefin tuna, amberjack, and ark shell. However, because “a Japanese guest (me!) was visiting,” they thoughtfully prepared usubahagi, a fish I had never encountered before. I was truly impressed by this considerate gesture. The sakura shrimp rice cooked in a small clay pot was another highlight. When I couldn’t finish it all, they kindly made rice balls for me to take, which was such a warm and thoughtful touch. Breakfast was also confirmed the day before, and I was able to receive some additional service. Both meals were excellent in quantity and flavor—I enjoyed everything immensely. The flowing hot spring bath in the room requires mixing in cold water and adjusting the temperature yourself, but by running the cold water about 5–7 minutes before bathing, it was not inconvenient at all. Honestly, this is a place that may divide opinions depending on personal preference. For me, however, it was a wonderful stay, and I definitely plan to return. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch his name, but the Japanese male staff member who took care of our meals was gentle, polite, and answered all my questions clearly, which made me feel very comfortable. There was also a young Southeast Asian female staff member; while there were minor communication misunderstandings, she worked very hard. As someone who also works abroad, I sincerely hope she continues sharing the beauty of Hakone and Japan with international guests visiting this inn. Next time, I will definitely stay for multiple nights!

[Fufu Hakone: A Luxurious Mountain Escape] Fufu Hakone is located in the quiet Gora region and seamlessly blends modern comforts with traditional Japanese ryokan hospitality. The property stands out for its unique dual hot spring experiences, providing private balcony baths with clear mineral water in every suite alongside communal pools filled with therapeutic, milky-white sulfur volcanic water. We had a wonderful one-night stay at Fufu Hakone on 28 May 2026, which included a Kaiseki dinner and breakfast. [Getting There] Our journey began with a midnight flight from Singapore, reaching Tokyo at 9:00 AM. From there, we caught the Narita Express and changed to the Tokaido Shinkansen to travel to Odawara, before making our way up to Gora. We arrived at Gora Station close to 3:00 PM to find it drizzling. Unfortunately, local taxis were completely unavailable and we could not find any vehicles on the GO app. Fortunately, we managed to get into the shelter of the tourist information centre. The lady on duty was incredibly helpful, assisting us to call Fufu Hakone for a pickup and directing us to the exact area where hotel shuttle services operate. We highly recommend that you do not attempt to walk to the resort from the station, especially in poor weather. [Arrival Experience] The moment we arrived at the resort, we were met with warm smiles and greetings. We were guided to the reception area located on the second level of the front building and seated comfortably in the lounge, where we were served hot tea. A designated staff member came over to complete our check-in process and then escorted us to our room in the guest building. The level of attentiveness was outstanding. The staff member explained every single detail in the room, including the layout of the suite, the private balcony onsen, the water temperature controls, the television, and the mini-bar, which is entirely complimentary. They also carefully went through our dinner order, taking down all of our personal preferences, likes, and dislikes. [The Suite] Our suite, named 楢の芽 (Naranome), was located on the third level. Rather than trying to describe the beautiful layout in words, I will let the accompanying photos speak for themselves. The room features two super-single beds that are incredibly fluffy and soft, with each bed featuring two plush pillows to guarantee a perfect night of sleep. The resort provided both pyjamas and a two-piece samue yukata for our stay. The pyjamas are strictly for use inside the room, while the samue yukata is intended to be worn when exploring the public areas of the property. [Dinner and Breakfast] Both the Kaiseki dinner and the breakfast were exceptional. Because many of the exquisite dishes feature seasonal ingredients that change throughout the year, please refer to my photos for a visual look at what was served during our stay. [The Ultimate Onsen Routine] To make the most of the dual hot springs, I highly recommend this routine: - Welcome Soak: Start with the light and refreshing clear mineral water on your private balcony to gently wash away travel fatigue before dinner. - Dinner and Rest: Enjoy your Kaiseki meal, then return to your suite to digest comfortably for a few hours. - Nightcap Soak: End the evening in the communal baths. The thick, milky-white sulphur volcanic water melts away muscle tension and deeply relaxes the body before sleep. [Areas for Improvement] While the stay was mostly flawless, there are two minor points to note: - Toothbrush Set: The provided toothbrush set was rather small for my liking. It felt like it took ages to finish brushing my teeth. You should definitely bring your own if this is a concern for you. - Room Attire: The two-piece samue yukata was not comfortable at all. It is not mandatory to wear it around the property, but we chose to do so anyway to fully immerse ourselves in the traditional ryokan culture.

Our Japan trip in July was made extra special by this hotel. We booked a family room, which was very spacious, and the view of the lake from the window was absolutely stunning. The hotel also has an onsen (hot spring) that was incredibly clean and comfortable. You can take lovely walks along the lake both in the morning and evening, and the water is very clean. There are many great restaurants nearby, so we opted not to eat at the hotel. Just remember that the restaurants are a bit of a walk away, so if you're taking a private car, make sure your driver doesn't leave early! We made that mistake and missed dinner 😭. The hotel's ambiance is fantastic, and the hot spring is excellent. 👍 I'd love to visit again in winter.

The Hakone Fujiya Hotel is really conveniently located. You get off at Hakone Tozan Line's OH51 terminal, walk straight, turn left, take the direct elevator down, walk forward past the red railing bridge, turn right, and a little further on your left, there's an elevator leading up to the main entrance, which is also the parking lot. The cold water from the tap in the room is drinkable. The hot springs are on the second floor, and the recliners in the lounge are very comfortable. They offer hot and cold tea, and you can buy milk and yogurt from vending machines if you have some small change. Breakfast on the first floor at 7 AM is super crowded. Dinner at the hotel took over an hour. Dining at 8 PM on the second day was too late. The original flavor dango from a street vendor near the entrance was very soft and reminded me of rice cakes grilled on a gas stove when I was a child. The rusks here are quite tasty, and there's also a visually appealing ice cream shop, but you have to eat your purchase inside the store. It was very crowded, so I didn't buy anything. It rained for both nights we stayed, luckily we had a private car tour. Our first stop was the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which opens at 9 AM; it's more enjoyable to wander around when there are fewer people. We bought tickets for the pirate ship for 2500 yen, and with fewer people, we were prioritized for boarding – a smart move on a rainy day.

Yama No Chaya has its own beauty and serenity. I personally don’t find it hard to locate - 2 bus stops away from Hakone Yumoto station + a 5 minutes walk are worth the stay. (Bus service stopped for one of the days due to bad weather and we walked for 20 minutes to Hakone Yumoto Station - all good) The team is very hospitable - they also have some English and Chinese speaking staff otherwise simple English is not an issue to communicate. Our butler - Sandip always carry a smile with him, and he ensured we are very well taken care of. Every morning, the team will prepare heat pack and umbrellas for us (it was raining and snowing). In the evening, they made tea and prepared snacks (vary from mochi to sushi) for us upon our returned. The room we booked is Yamano Ichigo (main wing) - just nice for 2. The viewing platform was where we relaxed every evening and we soaked our tiredness away in our very own private onsen at the basement. Despite of having our own private onsen, I still went to visit 3 other public onsen within the Ryokan - you will not be disappointed. Our room came with daily breakfast and we added on dinner for 1 night. I must say the chef and culinary team put in their passion and effort to prepare all the dishes. It’s not common for a visitor like me to taste Kaisekai cuisine which I enjoyed very much. You need to take time and an empty stomach to full experience it :) However, my partner and I weren’t used to heavy breakfast and our butler noticed it - we get to change to western style for the rest of the stay which was equally delicious. We are thankful that we minimised food wastage. Overall, we felt pampered during our stay at Yama no Chaya :) I will return again in the future when I visit Hakone.

I spent a wonderful night here during New Year's Eve. The waiter barely understands people and foreign languages, but he is friendly and good at communication. I booked a public bathroom first, but then I changed it to a private bath when there was room. My satisfaction improved a lot! The hotel is very close to Hakoyō-Yumoto Station, and the taxi cost was less than 1,000 yen. Later, we couldn't get a taxi and it was very comfortable for us to walk to the station for 15 minutes with our children🏳️🌈

First off, let me explain why I chose this hotel. A colleague highly recommended it. Her Japanese relatives had taken her there when she visited Hakone before, and she said it was mostly frequented by locals. After checking in, I found this to be true, so I booked it. Now, about the location. It's right next to Kowakien. The bus stops in that area are all very close, with three stops within two to three hundred meters. You can take a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Horaien, and the hotel is directly across the street. Buses run every 15 minutes, are very punctual, clean, and convenient. It's also very close to Ten-yu and Mori-no-yu, just a short walk away. As for the service, it was absolutely impeccable. There was a handsome, glasses-wearing gentleman who spoke Chinese and had an incredibly good attitude. There was also a slightly plump Chinese lady who was very kind. After check-in, she even escorted us to our room and explained everything. Throughout our stay, everyone we encountered had an excellent attitude. They even meticulously explained our itinerary for the next day and proactively helped with our luggage. As my son said, ”They're genuinely good.” Regarding the meals, I booked a half-board plan. Dinner started at 5:30 PM and was a Japanese kaiseki meal. I didn't realize at the time that some dishes could be swapped. My son was very hungry before eating, and we both pretty much finished everything. The wagyu beef was especially delicious. For breakfast, the staff asked us the day before what we preferred. My son chose the Western style, and I opted for the Japanese. The rice was delicious, and the salmon portions were generous. About the onsen (hot spring baths): We arrived in the afternoon on our first day and immediately went to Mori-no-yu for a soak. The hotel provided free tickets, along with four arcade coupons. In the evening after dinner, we booked a private bath. Here's a note: I had read online that you could reserve private baths, but that's not actually the case. You need to check with the front desk, and if one is available, you can use it. You can't make reservations; you just have to wait. My son asked earlier and was told one would be free at 5:30 PM. We went at 6:20 PM after the previous occupants left. There are three private baths, and each session is an hour long – very comfortable! As for the main public bath, there's one indoor pool and one outdoor pool. I went early the next morning when no one else was there, so it was like having a private bath with an even better ambiance. Cleanliness and the room: The room was very spacious with a balcony, offering views of lush green mountains and clear water. My son said the bed was very soft and comfortable. There was water provided, but no shower in the room itself. Although the hotel is older, it was very clean. Overall, I was extremely satisfied. My son said he wants to go back again, but unfortunately, my wallet isn't quite ready for it!

It’s the first time for me to stay overnight in Hakone and I had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Aura Tachibana. Everything was perfect! The staff are very helpful and we would like to express our appreciation to them for the hospitality and made you feel like home. I had booked the double room with privae onsen which was very spacious and comfortable. It’s perfect for a long-awaited retreat. The highlight was the food was amazing. There are plenty variety of dishes and the hotel was attentive and the meal did not repeat. Overall, it’s very value for money .

Hi everyone, It was very beautiful place to stay, very peaceful, clean and comfortable. Large room, beautiful view and onsen was very good. To those not travelling by car, you need to get a bus Hakone freepass to get around. You can purchase it online, this is a big help. One of the biggest problem was when we arrived the bus station at bus stop no. 252 ( Sengoku-kogen), we called the hotel to arrange to be pick up from the bus station no. 252, we have terrible language problems. They don't understand where was bus stop 252. They don't recognise there is a coffee shop, Lawson and little police station. Finally we have to pull our luggageas all the way to the hotel. Majority of the road was uphill and very little lighting ... Near bus stop number 252, you can see Lawson, a coffee shop and little police station. On the second day, the shuttle bus service took us out to the musuem. We walked back from the museums, it took about 90mins to walk back to the hotel. We were told the bus ticket have to purchase at the counter Tokendai. We were stucked in the hotel for two days, because we really don't know where to apply which bus tickets. On the third day, the hotel shuttle took us to another musuem, we were very thankful a lady from a musuem inform us we can get the ticket Hakone free pass online. On the fourth day, we just realised Tokendai ( cruise) very close to the hotel. Luckily we managed to get around for the last day of our stay. Overall we enjoyed the stay. The receptionists were very polite and tried to help. We have communication breakdown, they were continually apologises. Big thank you for the trip.com to solve the problem.

We stayed here for one night as a group of three and had a wonderful experience. The hotel is a bit old-fashioned, but it was clean, well maintained, and had a charming, traditional atmosphere. We booked a Japanese-style room with futons. The room was spacious and divided into two separate areas, giving us plenty of room to relax. We had a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji from our room, and the hotel’s Japanese garden also offered great views of the mountain. Setting up the futons ourselves was easy, and the room was equipped with yukatas, towels, and slippers for visiting the onsen. The staff were friendly, spoke good English, and made us feel very welcome throughout our stay. Both the onsen and the dinner buffet were included in the room rate, which made the stay feel like excellent value. We enjoyed the buffet before heading to the onsen. There was an impressive selection of dishes—almost too many to choose from! Most of the food was Japanese, and while not every dish stood out, everything we tried was good. Alcoholic drinks were available for an additional charge and were not included with dinner. The onsen was definitely the highlight of our stay. There are separate bathing areas for men and women, and the rules were clearly explained, making it easy to use even as first-time visitors. The facilities were clean and included both indoor and outdoor baths. From the outdoor bath on the men’s side, we had a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji. We had read reviews saying the mountain was only visible from the women’s side, but that wasn’t our experience. Relaxing in the hot spring while looking at Mt. Fuji was unforgettable. The changing and washing areas were clean, and the opening hours were generous. Tattoos are not permitted in the onsen, so it’s best to bring your own tattoo cover stickers if you need them. They are also available for purchase at the front desk, although we found them to be a little expensive. The hotel is located quite far from central Hakone, so it’s worth allowing plenty of travel time. However, it’s easy to reach by bus, and it’s also located right next to the Hakone Ropeway station, making it very convenient for visiting the area’s main attractions. We didn’t use the hotel’s shuttle service because the walk from the nearby bus stop was only a couple of minutes. One thing to keep in mind is that there aren’t any convenience stores or other shops within walking distance, so it’s a good idea to buy anything you might need before arriving. Overall, we were extremely happy with our stay. Compared to many other hotels in the Hakone area, this one was noticeably more affordable, and we felt it offered excellent value for money considering everything that was included. If you’re looking for a traditional onsen experience with incredible views of Mt. Fuji, this hotel is an excellent choice.