Shinanoki Ichinoyu

Once we got there, we had a wonderful stay. We spent one night on 12/30/2025, when Hakone was crowded with tourists. At 4:15 pm we joined the bus queue, but bus after bus was packed and sometimes didn’t pick anyone up at our stop. We finally reached the hotel at 6:50 pm, stressed about missing the dinner we’d booked. If you can, having a car in Hakone may be easier, and the hotel seemed to have plenty of parking. The check-in was quick, and our bags sent through the luggage delivery service in Odawara were already waiting by reception. We went to our room, then came down at 7 pm for dinner. We were last to arrive, but a lovely meal was ready for us. The restaurant closed at 8:30, so we could still relax and enjoy it. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Our room was spacious, especially compared with places in Tokyo and Kyoto, and the futons were comfortable. After dinner we soaked in our private hot spring tub, which was big enough for my husband and me together. It was a relaxing way to spend the evening, with the tub open to the air and a mountain view. There’s also a public hot spring, but we stayed in our private one. Breakfast was just as good, served at our table rather than as a buffet, and each dish had a description in Japanese and English. If you stay, I’d get the meal plan.

I came by taxi from Gora station, so I can’t say how easy it is to reach by public transport. This was my first ryokan and onsen experience, and I left happy with it. The staff were excellent, most servers spoke English, and they guided me through the dinner courses. The included meals were amazing. Traditional Japanese food was new to me, but I loved it: my first dinner was Minezawa beef sukiyaki and sea bream, and the second was chicken hotpot and flatfish. I booked the japanese modern room. Despite the name, it felt a little dated, but it was spacious and had a private onsen tub on the balcony. The room had AC/heating, so I was comfortable even when it was cold. Sound insulation wasn’t great, and I could hear people in other rooms. I can’t comment on the public bathing facilities since my tattoos meant I wasn’t allowed in. The onsen was so relaxing, especially after hiking up Mt. Kintoki/Ashigara. The shower is outside next to the tub, which made washing a bit cold. There were yukatas in the lobby to use during the stay and a drink machine with unlimited soft drinks. Bottles of alcohol were next to it for making your own drinks, plus there were vending machines above the lobby and one outside selling alcohol. I’d never stayed at a 5-star place, but I imagine the service here would be similar.

The staff were kind and friendly, and the location was easy to find on maps, though don’t count on a view from the resort. We stayed two nights in a house with a private onsen. It was pleasant and could fit a family of four without much trouble, though it wasn’t especially large. Compared with other onsen hotels I’ve stayed in, the amenities were sparse. The kettle was sort of broken, and having the bedroom upstairs on the first floor with the only restroom downstairs on the ground floor was inconvenient. The shower was also quite small.

We drove there and explored the area by car. The staff were really helpful, especially since it was our first ryokan stay. We loved the two nights, and would like to come back on another trip. The room was amazing, with a private onsen for us, and we tried the public ones too. Drinks and amenities were available for free at the front desks. Both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious.