Shiki Resort Forest Hakone

A budget stay from Shiki Resorts Group, this place has 17 rooms and can host up to 74 people. I'd put it around a three-star level, with lodging surrounded by nature. It sits in Sengokuhara near Hakone Glass Forest Museum, along National Route 138. From Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus to the Tawaraishi/Hakone Glass Forest stop, then walk about five minutes. There are plenty of natural surroundings and nearby sights, including the museum. The hot spring water is acidic calcium sulfate/chloride, with a pH of about 2.0, so it's strongly acidic. Reviews describe it as cloudy white and noticeably sulfurous. The quiet setting is good for relaxing, though people looking for city convenience or luxury may be disappointed. Some reviewers mention weak Wi-Fi and aging facilities. Amenities are limited, and meals or other options may cost extra, especially with room-only plans.

It's a cheap place to stay without meals, and the nearest convenience store is just a three-minute drive. With only 17 rooms, you might get the place mostly to yourself if you check availability. We visited on a weekday, when only two other guests were there, so the open-air spring bath stayed private the whole time. We didn't try the observation bath because it isn't a hot spring. The spring water is strong, cloudy, and slightly sulfurous, with a pH of 2.1. The main downside was a moldy smell throughout the building, perhaps related to the low occupancy. A good fit if you want to relax.

The open-air bath had the same lovely forest view as the room. The facilities are old in places, but the foreign staff were all very pleasant. When I opened the blinds, I found a beautiful view of lush green trees, whether forest or grove, stretching into the distance. I sat on the bed looking out for a while and felt the stress and tiredness from work starting to ease. Raising the blinds made the room feel much more charming and luxurious.

This hotel makes use of a resort facility. It doesn't have the service or amenities of a high-end hotel, but seemed perfectly fine if you just want somewhere to stay, enjoy the hot springs, and don't mind serving yourself. Breakfast was simple, though the grilled mackerel was fresh and juicy, and the miso soup was just right. The open-air bath uses water directly from the hot spring source, and I thought the water was excellent. I didn't use the large public bath, just the open-air bath in the evening and again in the morning. My stomach problems this month improved. The bath itself is small, as is the changing room, and there are only two washing areas. Still, the hotel doesn't have many guests, so it wasn't crowded. I was impressed that guests were considerate and let people already using the bath have their turn. The open-air bath was great, and this has become one of my favorite hot springs. I've stayed at several places in Hakone, and this one seemed like a good choice too. The foreign staff were working hard, and I'll probably stay again. Amenities are minimal, so if you have particular preferences, like traveling light, or expect things like luggage help, table service, or special meals, another hotel may suit you better. The only thing that bothered me was the musty smell at the entrance, lol.