Gen Hakone Gora

We stayed here with our 9-year-old son, and the room was immaculate. Our open-air bath looked out toward a mountain, and the service was friendly and efficient. Having traditional kaiseki and breakfast served in our room was such a treat. It’s expensive, but definitely worth the price. I’d highly recommend this onsen.

The highlight was the kaiseki dinner and breakfast in our room. Our attendant was polite and explained each delicious course. We also liked the coffee choices in the lobby: beans you can grind by hand for pour-over, or a Nespresso machine if convenience is more your thing. We only stayed one night at Gen Hakone, but had a great time. The rooms had a lovely sunrise view and a spacious deck with a private onsen. Blinds made the deck feel private and adjustable, though the rooms don’t face another building anyway. The cable car station is about a five-minute walk away, and we used it only to reach the ropeway station. With suitcases, we took a Go App taxi from Gora station to the hotel. There’s a free hotel shuttle too, but my phone couldn’t make Japanese calls, and the taxi was cheap and convenient.

We had an incredible stay at Gen Hakone Gora. The staff were all so lovely, and there were plenty of included drinks and snacks. The Japanese breakfast was spectacular. The Kaseiki dinner was memorable too, though a few dishes were a little adventurous. Thanks for having us!

Our room, the Ryo, had us staring in awe as soon as we saw it. The view ran from the room out to the mountains beyond the balcony, and the sunrise-facing outlook was beautiful. Even before we went inside, we were greeted warmly and professionally. Gen Hakone has clearly thought through the guest experience. There were privacy blinds on the balcony, a motion-sensor night light by the bed, and the usual post-onsen snacks and drinks in the room. The whole place was spotless, and the amenities gave us everything we wanted. The kaiseki ryori was a guided introduction to a delicious cuisine, and it was the highlight of our time in Japan. The hospitality and service were genuine throughout our stay. I only wish we’d left ourselves more time to enjoy it all. We’ve already decided to book a longer visit next time. If ratings went past five stars, Gen Hakone would deserve one.