Washintei Hogetsu

My wife and I had such a relaxing visit to this ryokan. The staff were attentive, the views were beautiful, and we enjoyed having private baths. The meals were a real treat too. 🥰

The price felt very reasonable for the quality, especially compared with other Hakone inns charging \70,000-\80,000 a night per person. This place costs about half that, and I’d recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s a small, quiet inn with mostly adult guests, so the communal baths never felt crowded. There are also two private baths you can book at the front desk, if I remember right for 50-minute slots. They’re handy if you’d rather not use a public bath. I’d especially suggest a room with a semi-open-air bath. The building was renovated about a year ago, and soaking while looking out over Lake Ashi was wonderfully relaxing. Getting there by car or taxi is easiest. If you take the bus or ferry to “Moto-Hakone,” the hotel shuttle is convenient. The room was clean and carefully maintained, with a wide-open view of Lake Ashi. The beds were soft, and the amenities were well stocked. Meals came in portions that suited me in middle age, served in a peaceful private dining area, and there was even a little snack at night. You can start breakfast at 9:00 AM for an unhurried morning.

I’ve never had a better stay in Japan. The service was incredible, and the staff handled all our requests with a smile. They also offer a shuttle and luggage delivery. The location is a bit out of the way and far from the city centre, though, so transport could be a concern.

The food was wonderful, and there was a great sake selection. It felt like the ryokan had just the right number of rooms and guests, so the public Onsen didn’t feel crowded. I even had it to myself at midnight. The service was excellent and the stay felt authentically ryokan. I’d come back on a future trip to Hokane.