A trip to Hakone is only complete with soaking in the relaxing hot spring baths, indulging in the beautiful surroundings, and taking pictures of the breathtaking Mount Fuji. If you’re thinking of traveling to Japan but don’t want huge crowds, Hakone should be your best option. And for a complete experience, we recommend booking must-try ryokans in this city that feature private onsens.
From luxurious Japanese guesthouses to more budget-friendly and affordable options, you’ll never run out of ryokans to stay in, including those with private onsens! In this guide, we’ll uncover some of the best ones, together with their other features that can make your stay worthwhile.
1. Gora Kadan
Our list starts with an entry from Gora, a famous region in Hakone for its art and nature attractions. If you’re willing to spend on a prestigious ryokan, Gora Kadan is your best bet. It sits on the grounds of an imperial summer residence in the past, so you can very much feel Japan’s rich culture and history.
All rooms at Gora Kadan have traditional Japanese design, with beautiful views of Hakone. There are tatami mats that cover the floors, but the beds exude Western style and comfort. Private onsens can also be found in all the rooms. We also love the on-site restaurant that can also cater to guests without room reservations. The kaiseki meal is a must-try!
Gora Kadan is also famous for its spa and fitness center and swimming pool. Tourists longing for a spa holiday should find the peace and calmness they’re looking for in this ryokan.
Book It Here: Gora Kadan
For more information about this place, you can also read our full review of Gora Kadan here!
2. Tensui Saryo
Another ryokan located in Gora is Tensui Saryo, a crowd favorite because of its ability to customize your stay. This ryokan allows guests to choose a type of room, an additional meal option, and the type of onsen. Plus, it’s perfect for families because every corner is just so spacious!
You can choose between a Japanese and a Western-style room. For the meal option, it’s your choice whether to proceed with no meals or choose both breakfast and dinner. We highly suggest trying the ryokan’s breakfast and kaiseki dinner for a complete ryokan experience.
Finally, for the onsen type, you can choose between cypress wood and granite full-body type. Not all rooms have private onsen, so we recommend booking in advance. Moreover, there’s also a particular room that comes with an onsen footbath! If you’re lucky, you can also get a room that features beautiful Hakone mountain views.
In addition to the private onsen, Tensui Saryo has one indoor public onsen and another open-air hot spring bath. Two more private onsen rooms are available in this ryokan, which can also be reserved for an extra charge.
Book It Here: Tensui Saryo
3. Hakone Nanase
We now head to a midrange type of ryokan, Hakone Nanase. Formerly known as Manatei Hakone, this accommodation lets you experience relaxing private onsens at a reasonable price. A Japanese art gallery inside this ryokan should be part of your itinerary because it presents charming artworks that talk about Hakone’s rich culture.
Hakone Nanase also holds live piano performances. Additionally, the staff also plays serene music on each floor, so you can really feel the ryokan’s peaceful vibe. The on-site restaurant serves authentic kaiseki multi-course meals made from Hakone’s freshest ingredients.
Three private onsen rooms are rentable for free as long as you book a room. But you can also choose to enjoy the onsen bath in your own room.
Book It Here: Hakone Nanase
4. Hakone Gora Byakudan
Hakone Gora Byakudan combines modern aesthetics with traditional Japanese interiors and warm hospitality. You will love the light-colored wooden decorations that fill all guest rooms, exuding comfort, peace, and elegance. This ryokan is also perfect for families because it’s spacious!
All rooms have private open-air onsens with beautiful views of the Japanese garden inside this ryokan. The floors have tatami mats to preserve Japanese culture, but the beds have already been upgraded to Western cushions for ultimate comfort.
Hakone Gora Byakudan also did not disappoint with its on-site restaurant! Sourcing ingredients from Manazuru, Sagami Bay, and Hakone Izu, the chefs promise fresh and authentic dishes. Don’t forget to add the meal option to your reservation to experience the mouthwatering kaiseki meals.
Book It Here: Hakone Gora Byakudan
5. Hakone Kyuan
Hakone Kyuan has a variety of Western and Japanese-style rooms, which you can book according to your preference. We love the charming decor of this ryokan, especially the items that speak highly of tradition—tatami mats and futon bedding.
Only selected rooms have private onsen baths made of granite or cypress wood. The water is free-flowing, and the onsen has a semi-open-air design, creating a smooth transition and blending between the indoor room and the outdoor onsen.
Besides the private onsens inside selected rooms, Hakone Kyuan has a separate private onsen room you can book separately. Each reservation lasts for 40 minutes. We suggest trying this one out to catch views of Mt. Myojogatake.
Book It Here: Hakone Kyuan
6. Hakone Suimeisou
Hakone Suimeisou is well-known because it’s pretty accessible; it’s only three minutes from the train station. You can also choose between a Western and a Japanese room, but all rooms feature a spacious tatami area. If you want to experience being a local, try sleeping at night on the mat without any mattress but on a futon.
Private onsens are on the balcony of each room. The baths are made of stone, and you can catch glimpses of the Haya River below. Besides these in-room baths, a kashikiri or a private onsen room is available for rent. Each reservation lasts for 50 minutes.
Other amenities worth trying at Hakone Suimeisou include the shared resting lounge, a conference room available for reservation for business trips, a play area for your kids, and a boutique shop for souvenirs.
Book It Here: Hakone Suimeisou
7. Kinnotake Tonosawa
Kinnotake Tonosawa is a modern and minimalist take on traditional Japanese culture. It features floor-to-ceiling windows to let natural light reflect the ryokan and the rooms are spacious. However, the most important detail to note about Kinnotake Tonosawa is that it’s an adult-only ryokan. Guests under 12 are not allowed to enter this guesthouse.
The rooms at Kinnotake Tonosawa feature a blend of Western and Japanese styles. The walls are covered with light-colored wood, adding to the room’s overall relaxing vibe. At the same time, each guestroom has private onsens.
What sets this ryokan apart is the golden onsen water in each private bath. It’s alkaline and low in salinity, which helps relieve muscle fatigue and promote relaxation.
Book It Here: Kinnotake Tonosawa
8. Yushintei
Next on the list is Yshintei, a contemporary yet traditional ryokan situated in a forest. It’s a perfect retreat for those who prefer a quiet getaway because it only has 10 rooms available for reservation. Additionally, this four-star ryokan is only a ten-minute walk from Izumi.
All rooms are spacious and have tatami mats, a hot tub, and a natural hot spring bath. You also get a complimentary breakfast with your room reservation, which is a must-try because it offers authentic Japanese dishes.
In addition to the hot baths inside the rooms, Yushintei has a public onsen that is free of charge.
Book It Here: Yushintei
9. Hakone Hoshi no Akari
Hakone Hoshi no Akari is another luxurious ryokan in the Sengokuhara area. All the rooms have beautiful mountain views. Unique amenities include table tennis, massage services, and a spacious terrace for relaxation.
Each deck has private wooden onsens and a shower area. You will be amazed to learn that the water from the hot bath flows from the Gora Onsen, which is famous in Hakone. If you’re willing to spend more, we recommend upgrading to a suite on the ryokan’s top floor. It has the best views of the Hakone mountains. We also love the spacious rooftop!
Check it out and admire the view of the entire town. Hakone Hoshi no Akari also has a sizeable public onsen with hot spring water and a spa for relaxing therapy sessions. Finally, dine in the two on-site restaurants.
Book It Here: Hakone Hoshi no Akari
10. Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan
Another budget-friendly option on the list offering affordable room rates is Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan. Despite its simple exterior and minimalist interior decor, it’s still a traditional Japanese guesthouse worth visiting.
The rooms at Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan are spacious, but not all have private onsens. Because the place gets fully booked pretty quickly, we suggest booking in advance. Additionally, we love the breathtaking Mount Fuji views from the room! The lush Japanese garden is also commendable, giving you a serene space to lounge and stroll.
Finally, complete your stay with the in-house restaurant that serves unique Japanese goodies.
Book It Here: Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan
11. Yoshimatsu
A couples’ favorite is Yoshimatsu, which features views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji. All guestrooms in traditional Japanese style have private outdoor onsens on the balcony. This hillside ryokan is surrounded by bamboo trees that add to its relaxing and comforting vibe.
Go all out when staying at Yoshimatsu and stay at the most expensive private onsen room with the best panoramic views of Hakone and Lake Ashinoko. This luxury suite gets booked quickly despite its expensive rate, but we find the price reasonable as it already comes with breakfast and dinner.
In addition to the private onsens, Yoshimatsu has a public outdoor onsen for everyone. You should also check out the koi pond and the Japanese tea room.
Book It Here: Yoshimatsu
12. Matsuzakaya Honten
Last but not least, Matsuzakaya Honten remains a top-rated ryokan in Hakone. It’s a family-run business, so expect the guesthouse to be simpler and quieter. This is perfect for travelers who want to escape the busy cities of Tokyo and Osaka.
Matsuzakaya Honten is most famous for its omotenashi, a unique Japanese hospitality. The rooms in his ryokan are formerly imperial villas and two private hot spring baths are available for early reservation. You can also head to the public bath, which was newly renovated to fit more guests.
Matsuzakaya Honten also has an expansive Japanese garden for lounging while drinking your Japanese tea.
Book It Here: Matsuzakaya Honten
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Ryokans in Hakone with private onsen are ideal when you want to relax and unwind on your vacation. In addition to the calming hot baths, these accommodations have additional and unique features that make your stay memorable.
Got other ryokan ideas? Let us know in the comments below!
Wanna see Mount Fuji from your ryokan in Hakone? Check out this list of the best ryokans in Hakone with Mount Fuji view!
And for more recommendations of ryokans in Japan with private Japanese traditional baths, make sure you read our selections of the best ryokans in Tokyo with private onsen, best ryokans in Kyoto with private onsen, best ryokans in Nara with private onsen and best ryokans near Mount Fuji with private onsen.