When it comes to scenic Japanese vacations, Hakone makes the top of the list. This gorgeous mountain town is known for having tons of hot spring resorts (onsens), Shinto shrines, and beautiful natural scenery. Most of all, Hakone is the place to go if you want to catch sight of one of the most iconic places in Japan: Mt. Fuji!

Since time immemorial, Mt. Fuji has been an indispensable part of Japanese culture. It’s revered as one of the country’s “Three Holy Mountains,” and is the regular site of many visits and pilgrimages.

Staying at Hakone would truly be a relaxing vacation. To maximize your stay, why not book a night (or two!) at one of Hakone’s premier luxury ryokans? Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns. Not only will you experience traditional Japanese living, but you will also be catered to like no other. Aside from their amazing decor and onsens, ryokans are known for their exceptional hospitality.

For this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about one of Hakone’s bests: the Gora Kadan Ryokan!

History & Concept

Gora Kadan is located on sacred ground. After all, before this became a ryokan that was open to the public, it used to be exclusive to royalty. Gora Kadan stands on the former ground of Kan’in-no-miya Villa, the former summer villa of the Japanese Imperial Family.

As soon as you arrive on the property, you’ll be able to tell why the royals chose this exact spot for their summer vacations. The luxurious atmosphere paired with the natural beauty of the area truly makes for a stunning stay.

Gora Kadan combines traditional and modern aesthetics in its design. They make great use of glass fixtures and open spaces to make the entire property feel even more spacious. The wooden interiors also add another layer of serenity to the place. Gora Kadan works with its natural surroundings to fashion a harmonious stay for all of its guests.

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Location

One of the best things about Gora Kadan is where it’s located. It’s very close to Gora Station which makes it a convenient hotel for exploring all around town. It’s even close to many of the local activities like the cable train and ropeway! But aside from its convenience, Gora Kadan’s location is also great because it provides guests with amazing natural views.

Its proximity to Mt. Fuji means you get treated to spectacular views of the volcano everywhere. The majestic sight of Mt. Fuji simply adds to each guest’s experience when they stay here. The natural beauty of the surrounding area is also showcased in Gora Kadan’s gardens within the property.

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Ryokan Facilities

Gora Kadan has all of the facilities you could want in a ryokan. From traditional Japanese-style rooms to beautiful onsens, this ryokan screams authenticity from every angle. But aside from those, Gora Kadan also has tons of other facilities for guests to enjoy. They are one of the few ryokans in the country to have a swimming pool! Guests love to swim a few laps after meals to burn some calories and relax.

In Gora Kadan, guests won’t run out of things to do. One of the most recommended activities would be availing of a full-body massage right here in this ryokan! Gora Kadan has a salon that has massage chairs for everyone to use. If you want something a little more special, you can also book an amazing shiatsu massage with the staff. It’s a great way to unwind and relax your muscles after a long day of sightseeing.

Aside from those, Gora Kadan also has a large public spa, a family spa, a bedrock bath that’s great for detoxifying, a fitness gym, a lounge, several gardens, and even a gift shop! Everything you could ever need to have a perfect vacation is right here in this ryokan, so we definitely recommend making great use of these when you stay here.

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Onsen

Of course, what’s a ryokan without an onsen? Lucky for you, Gora Kadan has a lot of amazing hot spring baths for you to choose from! Whether you opt for the large public baths or you want a little more privacy, Gora Kadan does not disappoint. All of their hot spring baths are rich in minerals and nutrients that help ease muscle pain, relieve aches, and promote smoother and bouncier skin.

We recommend exploring the ryokan and trying out all of the public baths. Each one has a slightly different character, providing a different atmosphere for the guests. Regardless, all of Gora Kadan’s onsens are beautifully decorated and provide stunning views of the surroundings.

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Rooms

Gora Kadan has beautiful spacious rooms that are decorated with classy wooden and bamboo interiors. If you’re booking a ryokan for the traditional Japanese experience, then Gora Kadan will definitely meet (and even surpass) your expectations. From tatami mats to sliding doors, you will really experience the authentic way of traditional Japanese living. Some rooms at Gora Kadan also have gorgeous views of Mt. Fuji.

Some rooms also have private onsens, like the amazing stone bath pictured above. We recommend booking this kind of room if you want the hot spring bath all to yourself! Gora Kadan also provides its guests with kimonos, traditional slippers, and even socks — perfect for lounging around the property and taking a few Instagram photos!

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Cuisine

And finally, we have to talk about Gora Kadan’s mouthwatering menu. Ryokans typically provide meals for their guests, and we urge everyone to avail of this feature. If you think you’re just going to get a regular hotel breakfast or dinner, then you would be mistaken. At Gora Kadan, each mealtime is a performance in itself!

Over the course of 2 hours, you will be served multiple dishes that explore the full range of Japanese cuisine. No matter how adventurous you are in eating, we’re sure these kaiseki-style meals will still introduce you to ingredients or styles of cooking you’ve never encountered before. Both breakfasts and dinners are served in this style, so every day is a new chance to try something you’ve never tried before.

Guests even have the option of dining in Gora Kadan’s restaurant or in the comfort of their own rooms. Either way, get ready to feast!

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We hope you enjoyed our review of the beautiful Gora Kadan Ryokan! Which part of this traditional inn surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!

Hakone has plenty of amazing ryokans for you to choose from. This time, we chose to highlight one of the best ones and give you a comprehensive review of each aspect of the place. By the end of this post, we’re sure you’re already scrambling to book a night at this amazing luxury ryokan!

Want to get more recommendations of traditional inns in this area? Check out our selection of the best ryokan in Hakone with Mt Fuji view, the best tattoo friendly ryokans in Hakone and the review of Hakone Yuyado Zen Ryokan or the review of Ajisai Onsen Ryokan!