Kappa Tengoku

I found this little place behind the station when my Hakone day trip felt incomplete without an onsen. It was just what I needed to relax after exploring the area or doing the Loop. Entry is 900¥, and a towel rental is 300¥ if needed. They only take cash. Lockers for clothes or a backpack cost 100¥, refunded when you reopen them in the changing area. Return a rented towel to the front desk when you’re done. The baths are separated for men and women, and you should wash before entering the water. Shampoo and body wash are provided. The water runs a bit hot, so get in and out as needed. There’s a small lounge after you get dressed, with a few drinks including beer. Stay hydrated if you plan to spend more than half an hour there.

For a day trip, this was perfect. It’s a no-frills onsen right by the train station, and it was mostly empty on a saturday. The bath was hott, with very fresh water. The price was great and included towel rental and two 100jpy lockers. They also have great shirts with their funny character.

The outdoor bath was a little too hot for me, and there’s only one temperature to choose from. A couple of options would’ve been nice. Still, it’s good value, the staff are kind, and the station is close. There’s a bit of a climb, but most people should be fine with it.

The one public tub is really hot, so try kakeyu first to get used to it. I could only stay in for a few minutes at a time, then cooled off with buckets of water before going back. It was kind of fun and relaxing in the end. For a day-use visit, this is an affordable, no-frills onsen with an old-timey feel right by the train station. It worked perfectly after hotel checkout while I waited for my next leg of the trip, with my luggage stored in a station locker. Worth the winding walk up the hill.