Hakone Kowakien

We left feeling refreshed and grateful, already hoping to return to this quiet mountain retreat. In April, the cool, cloudy weather added a peaceful feel to our wonderful stay at Hakone Kowakien Hotel. The grounds were beautifully maintained, the rooms comfortable, and the onsen soothing. Staff were especially warm and attentive, always making us feel welcome. Surrounded by nature and close to many of Hakone’s best attractions, the location felt secluded while keeping everything we wanted to explore nearby. Every detail seemed thoughtfully cared for.

The breakfast on the first floor was incredible, one of the best I’ve ever had. There were lots of stations, a wide variety of food, unlimited drinks and alcohol, and everything tasted delicious. I especially recommend the fried fish, black sesame slider with roast beef, 🍯 bread, and warabi mochi. They also had stations for onigiri, curry, ramen, and poke bowls. For food outside the buffets, there are family marts open until 11 pm, though not 24/7, and a microwave on the main floor, which is the fourth. The only thing missing for me was a gym. I visited Hakone for the first time to see Mt. Fuji and explore other sights. As a foreigner, I had a wonderful experience, despite the bad reviews I’d seen. Two staff members greeted us warmly at the entrance. Check-in was automated, with staff nearby to help. Their English was limited, but they kindly used Google translate. The hotel sits on a mountain with breathtaking nature views. The room was quite small, though we were really only using it to sleep. The public onsens on the fifth floor were wonderful, with indoor and outdoor sections as well as individual baths. Private ones are available for a fee. Our stay also included access to the yunessun onsen and public water park across from the hotel, higher up the mountain. You need a QR code from the lobby to enter and leave. Bring swimming clothes in a bag; towels are provided. I recommend going near closing time, when it’s quiet and you can enjoy the outdoor lights and stars. The cleaning options are handled with intuitive magnets, including a choice to get fresh towels without having the room cleaned. I’d definitely recommend this spot for a great stay.

I stayed two nights and really enjoyed it. The dinner staff were wonderful, especially Guanyi Q., who was thoughtful and very attentive. On the sixth floor, the hot spring has both indoor and open-air baths. I also got to try showering while sitting on a stool for the first time. It felt like a scene from a Japanese cartoon.

Breakfast was a real highlight, with plenty of protein options to keep us going all day. We also paid extra for the evening buffet, which was pretty good and included alcohol, though it got busy and noisy with lots of families and young kids. The rooms felt modern but were very small, including the sink and stand-up shower area. There are indoor and outdoor baths on the top floor. We didn't explore the grounds because we had plans out each day, but the setting seemed nice.