Hotel Kasansui

We’d never experienced anything like this before, and it felt both strange and amazing. Breakfast and dinner were beautifully presented, almost like looking at works of art, even though the food was unfamiliar and felt a little awkward to us. As Scandinavians, it’s not something we’re likely to experience unless we come to Japan. This was our first visit to Hakone and our first time at a ryokan. It was well outside my comfort zone, but I still felt comfortable there. The hotel seems fairly old, though the standard is still pretty high. The staff and owners were lovely, friendly, and very helpful. It’s also close to the gondola/cable car for exploring Hakone.

The staff were nice, which is why I’m giving this two stars. The onsen was a letdown, though. It only fits around three people, and it felt old and generally unclean. The incense was the first thing I noticed when I walked into the ryokan. I thought it smelled awful and reminded me of my grandma. The meals were mostly salted vegetables, maybe 80%, with unlimited rice to fill you up. I even suggested the ryokan to my vegetarian friends. For me, I kept waiting, strangely hoping more meat would turn up. On the first night there were a few slices of sashimi, about half a cube of chicken, and a few pieces of boiled bacon. At breakfast the next day I got a little piece of fish, the kind my mini poodle would finish in about 36 seconds, which made me laugh. Dinner that evening brought more meatballs. The last breakfast had sausage and egg, plus, of course, more salted vegetables. I started wondering if staying longer might unlock a meat bonus. That’s a dangerous way to think.

We wanted somewhere peaceful after Tokyo, and this was just right for our two-night stop on a trip through Japan. The staff were incredible and did everything they could to make the stay enjoyable. The food was amazing, and the service was impeccable. I’d highly recommend it.

I was there for a night recently and had a very pleasant stay. The hostess was gracious, and the staff were accommodating and kind to me as a foreigner, especially around the meals. The food looked like artwork. My room was clean and quite large, and the bed was very comfortable. I’d recommend the place if you’re after a more traditional experience.