Fufu Hakone

I’d happily have stayed another night to make the reset feel even more complete, though two nights worked well for this trip. After walking 120k steps in Kyoto, the baths helped me recover and even cleared up my blisters before Tokyo. I tried the public onsen twice and had it to myself both times, then also enjoyed the spa’s hinoki powder bath, massage, and facial. The food was a real highlight. I had the prix fixe dinner the first night and teppanyaki the second, and both were among the best meals of my trip. I slightly preferred the teppanyaki, but would recommend either. The hotel also arranged luggage forwarding to my next hotel in Tokyo without any trouble. Getting around from Gora was easy, with the Ropeway and sights such as the Open Air Museum nearby, and Gora station made a handy base for seeing Hakone. The shuttle picked me up there, and I was welcomed with tea and a lovely view. They stored my bags, delivered them to the room while I was out exploring, and took me back to the station afterward. My room was huge and felt so luxurious, especially the private onsen. I had to make myself leave the next day because I just wanted to stay in the bath. The complimentary lounge wear and pajamas were super cozy. The one small letdown was the shop had sold out of the lounge set in every size except XXS. You’ll probably want one after wearing it, so I’d ask about arranging that ahead. Everything was smooth from my first email with the team at Fufu Hakone. I knew the solo rate was higher than the per-person price for two, but it was 10000% worth it.

Dinner was teppanyaki, with everything cooked right in front of us. The ingredients were so fresh, and the cook spoke fluent English and explained each dish. We also had a delicious Japanese-style breakfast. The staff were really friendly and kind, and we loved our stay. We’d be glad to come back.

The suite itself was spacious and lovely, and the property is beautiful, but the service was a major disappointment for what we paid. Our biggest difficulty was the restaurant. Someone in our group has an allergy, yet staff didn’t seem willing to find an accommodation. When we suggested simple options like salad, vegetables, or fruit, the answer was just no. A vegetarian breakfast came as scrambled eggs covered in meat curry. We pointed out the meat and asked for plain eggs instead, but they refused to remake it. Breakfast choices were also poorly explained. Some of us would have chosen a Western breakfast, but nobody told us it was an option. When we asked later, we were told it wasn’t available, even though we had asked the day before. That should have been made clear in advance. We asked about spa treatments too and were told there was no availability, without any explanation or help finding another option. I can’t tell whether language was part of the problem, but most staff seemed unable to communicate in English and used translator apps. Even basic requests became difficult and draining. We spent two weeks in Japan, and this was the only hotel where language and customer service caused such a big problem. We encountered rigid rules, poor communication, and little willingness to help. For the price, the hospitality needs a lot of improvement.

The dining was a standout, with generous, beautifully presented Japanese food such as kaiseki, seasonal vegetables, sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki. Service was highly praised, including flexibility around dietary needs and meal timing. The public onsen and spa treatments also add a soothing, rejuvenating touch. Fufu Hakone sits in the peaceful, scenic mountains and pairs traditional ryokan hospitality with modern comforts. Rooms are spacious, elegantly designed with natural materials, and have private onsen baths overlooking greenery and mountains. The refined interiors, premium bedding, and thoughtful lounge wear all add to the comfort. It’s a tranquil escape for relaxing and experiencing Japanese culture, and stands out as one of Hakone’s best ryokans.