The Hakone Takuminoyado Yoshimatsu

The private onsen in our room, surrounded by nature with a view of Fuji mountain, made the stay unforgettable. The room was beautiful, and the kaiseki dinner felt special and carefully prepared. Breakfast was delicious too. Most of all, the host’s genuine kindness and care made us feel so welcome that I was moved to tears. It was the highlight of our Japan trip, and worth every dollar.

The meals were the best I had on my Japan trip, and honestly some of the best of my life. Don’t miss the kiseki dinner and breakfast. There’s a lot to enjoy in the hotel, so you may find yourself relaxing there instead of heading out. The public baths were legendary, just like in anime, and there are private rooms for couples too. Try both public baths, since they switch genders at certain times. From arrival, they treat you like royalty, with tea and treats in the tea room before escorting you to your room. Staff help you put on your yukata, give you a tour, and show you how to see Mt. Fuji. Their attention to detail and concern for your comfort really touched me. It was easily my best hotel experience, and worth the trip.

The staff were cheerful, attentive, and very nice, though their English is limited, so conversation may be difficult. The room was spacious, and the shared bath was practically mine: I went four times and was alone each time, since most people seemed to be heading for the private bath. There are two shared baths, one for men and one for women, and they switch at 7pm. I liked one of them much more, so a second switch, perhaps at 7am, would let people use the same bath morning and evening. Dinner is served in the room as about ten courses, which is fun, and breakfast and dinner were plentiful and typically Japanese, with lots of fish. I’ve had better meals at random restaurants in Japan, though. They ask if you want drinks with dinner, but for the hotel price I think at least one drink should be included. The shared bath is great, and there’s a private one too. There’s no laundry service. A coin wash down the street has an 8kg minimum load, far more clothes than most tourists have. It would be nice if the hotel offered to wash a smaller load. The ryokan is quite expensive, and given the language barrier, I’m not sure you get enough for the price. I’ve found Japanese hosts just as friendly and attentive in much cheaper hotels.

We couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful room or private onsen. The kaiseki dinner and breakfast were served gracefully in our room’s dining area, with every dish beautifully presented and perfectly prepared. A cup of matcha and a serene view greeted us on arrival. When it was time to leave, they had already anticipated what we needed and arranged transportation without us having to ask. It was an incredible privilege to stay here.