Onsen Guesthouse HAKONE TENT - Hostel

Kira was awesome, and they had non-alcoholic options since I couldn’t drink. The private onsen was especially nice because we have tattoos and felt shy. We also met some friends visiting from Australia, and the wall covered in visitors’ memories was a cool thing to find. We spent one night here during our 12 days in Japan, with two full days in Hakone, and it ended up being a huge highlight of the whole trip. The hotel food was an unexpected treat, and nearby restaurants even had late-night mountain pizza. It was a great traditional experience. Just be aware the beds are traditional floor beds if you’re not used to them. We were comfortable.

This place is so welcoming and relaxing that it made me think it must be nice to live and work in Hakone. The public area is cozy, and the rooms are clean. They warned that rooms could be loud, but I found the door sounds and occasional footsteps manageable. It’s very near the main line for Hakone attractions. I feel lucky I booked it on my last trip, since the stay was memorable and made me want to come back for longer. Good for solo travel or with friends.

The staff were super friendly and helpful, and the property was clean. It worked for our one-night stay and was reasonably priced, but the place is showing its age and feels dated. It’s very much a hostel-style setup with shared bathrooms. I’d probably choose a hotel with private bathrooms next time. It’s convenient for the Hakone round because it’s on the route in Gora. Drinks are available at the bar, though a small beer was just under £4/792 Yen, a bit pricey compared with the rest of our trip. The onsens are small and in the basement: one needs to be booked, and the other is first come, first served. If an onsen is your main reason for staying, I’d look elsewhere or find one for day use. There’s also an onsen tax to pay in cash.

The staff were extremely friendly, the accommodation was clean, and we slept well on a very comfortable futon. We rented a car and had a parking space, but it’s narrow, so an inexperienced driver may need help maneuvering.