Where to Stay in Hakone: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay in Hakone? Looking for the best areas and districts?

You’re at the right place!

As I know Hakone very well, I have created this guide of:

• Hakone’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
• For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My favorite hotels in Hakone

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels in Hakone, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.

Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:

• Where to stay in Hakone for the first time: Yumoto Fujiya Hotel, located in Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway to the region.
• Where to stay in Hakone for the best views: Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori, offering stunning terraces overlooking Lake Ashi.
• Best 5-star hotel in Hakone: Gora Kadan, a luxurious ryokan (traditional inn) in the Gora district.
• Where to stay in Hakone on a budget: Onsen Guest House Tsutaya
• Where to stay in Hakone with family: Hakone Kowakien Tenyu
• My favorite hotel in Hakone for a romantic stay: Hakone Gora Byakudan, where every room has a private open-air onsen.

In Hakone-Yumoto, the Gateway to Hakone

Hakone-Yumoto is the region’s main transportation hub and the most convenient entry point, especially if you’re arriving from Tokyo.

With its main street filled with shops, restaurants, and a traditional onsen (hot spring) town atmosphere, it’s a fantastic base for first-time visitors.

It’s the best area if you want easy access to the rest of the Hakone region via the Hakone Tozan Railway and various bus lines.

You should stay in this district if you want:

• To be in the most convenient location for transport.
• To explore a vibrant town with many shops and dining options.
• A great base for exploring the entire region.

This is the perfect area to see:

• The main shopping street
• Sounji Temple, a historic Zen temple
• Tenseien Hotel’s rooftop onsen, which is open to day-trippers and offers great views.
• The Hayakawa River, which flows through the town, providing a scenic backdrop for a relaxing stroll.
• Tamadare Falls, a beautiful waterfall located on the grounds of the Tenseien Hotel.

Where to Stay in Hakone-Yumoto?

• GuestHouse Azito: Just a short walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station. Offers simple, clean dormitory beds and private rooms starting at 100$. Strong points: friendly atmosphere, great location, excellent value. A perfect choice for budget travelers.
• Yumoto Fujiya Hotel: Connected to Hakone-Yumoto station. Modern, comfortable rooms from 200$, breakfast included. Strong points: incredible convenience, multiple onsen baths, French and Japanese restaurants on-site. My top pick for first-time visitors due to its location and amenities.
• Hakone Suimeisou: A traditional ryokan located right by the river. Japanese-style rooms with tatami floors from 280$, breakfast and dinner plans available. Strong points: beautiful riverside views, public and private onsen, authentic Japanese experience.
• Aura Tachibana: A stylish ryokan blending modern and traditional design. Rooms with private open-air baths are available, starting from 450$ with breakfast included. Strong points: rooftop open-air bath with panoramic views, exquisite cuisine, luxurious atmosphere. A fantastic choice for a special occasion in Hakone-Yumoto.

In Gora, the Artistic Mountain Hub

Gora is a scenic hillside district that serves as the central hub for many of Hakone’s main attractions.

It’s the terminal station for the Hakone Tozan Railway and the starting point for the cable car leading to the Hakone Ropeway.

Staying in Gora provides a great balance of accessibility and tranquility.

You should really stay in Gora if you want:

• A central base for exploring major sights
• A more upscale and peaceful atmosphere compared to Hakone-Yumoto.
• To be surrounded by nature.

This district is perfect for discovering:

• Hakone Open-Air Museum, an incredible outdoor sculpture park with works by Picasso, Rodin, and more.
• Gora Park, a beautiful French-style landscaped park with fountains, rose gardens, and a craft house.
• Hakone Museum of Art, focusing on Japanese ceramics and featuring a stunning moss garden.
• The Hakone Ropeway (accessible via a short cable car ride), which offers breathtaking views of the Ōwakudani volcanic valley.
• Delicious local cuisine, from traditional kaiseki meals at ryokans to casual eateries near the station.

Here are my favorite hotels in Gora district

• Hakone Yutowa: A modern and stylish hotel just a few minutes’ walk from Gora Station. Double rooms start from 180$, breakfast included. Strong points: beautiful design, a cozy library lounge with free drinks, and multiple onsen baths. An amazing value for a contemporary stay in Gora.
• Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, an IHG Hotel: A chic, modern hotel with an artistic flair. Rooms are spacious and feature private onsen baths with river views, starting from 350$, breakfast available. Strong points: stunning rooms, a beautiful riverside public onsen, and an excellent on-site restaurant.
• Hakone Gora Byakudan: A luxurious and intimate ryokan where every room boasts a private open-air onsen. Rates start from 600$, including a gourmet breakfast and dinner. Strong points: ultimate privacy, exceptional service, and exquisite traditional meals. My favorite hotel in Hakone for a romantic and exclusive escape!
• Gora Kadan: This 5-star ryokan, a former imperial family summer villa, offers unparalleled luxury. Elegant rooms and suites are available from 800$, with breakfast and dinner included. Strong points: historic setting, stunning architecture, expansive onsen facilities including a swimming pool and spa. This is simply the best luxury hotel in Hakone!

Around Lake Ashi, for Scenery and Serenity

Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) is the iconic heart of Hakone, famous for its breathtaking views of Mount Fuji rising behind the water.

The lakeside towns of Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi offer a tranquil retreat surrounded by nature.

You can stay around Lake Ashi:

• If you want the chance to wake up to views of Mount Fuji.
• For a peaceful holiday, away from the more crowded areas.
• For a romantic getaway with incredible scenery.

Best things to see and do around Lake Ashi:

• Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, where you can sail across the lake on replica pirate ships for the best views.
• Hakone Shrine (Hakone Jinja), famous for its iconic red torii gate standing in the water.
• Onshi-Hakone Park, offering beautiful walking paths and panoramic views of the lake and Mount Fuji from its lookout point.
• The Old Tokaido Highway, with its preserved section of ancient cedar trees.
• The Narukawa Art Museum, showcasing modern Japanese paintings with a lounge that has spectacular lake views.

The Best Hotels to Stay Near Lake Ashi

• The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko: A large resort hotel located right on the lakeshore. Double rooms with garden or lake views start from 160$. Strong points: amazing location, its own onsen building, and stunning lake views from the main building.
• Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori: A modern and stylish hotel with incredible facilities. Rooms are comfortable and start from 300$, with breakfast and dinner included. Strong points: a stunning infinity-style open-air bath overlooking the lake, beautiful terraces, and a high-quality buffet. This is my recommendation for the best views and a fantastic resort experience!
• Odakyu Hotel de Yama: Set in vast, beautiful gardens famous for their azaleas and rhododendrons. Classic, elegant rooms from 320$. Strong points: gorgeous gardens, a newly renovated onsen with amazing lake views, and a sense of classic luxury.
• Ryuguden: A traditional Japanese ryokan in a registered Tangible Cultural Property building. Rooms offer lake views and start from 400$ including breakfast. Strong points: historic charm, magnificent onsen with direct views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji, and a truly unique cultural experience.

Where to Stay in Hakone on a Budget

If you’re traveling on a budget, here are a few great hotels for a stay in Hakone without spending too much:

• K’s House Hakone – Onsen Hostel: Located in the quiet Tonosawa area near Hakone-Yumoto. Dorm beds and private rooms from 80$. Strong points: beautiful traditional building, riverside onsen, well-equipped kitchen. Another excellent place to stay in Hakone on a budget.
• Fuji-Hakone Guest House: Located in the quiet Sengokuhara area. Offers simple Japanese-style rooms from 100$. Strong points: very welcoming hosts, authentic atmosphere, and a wonderful white-water onsen. This is a great choice if you want to stay in Hakone for cheap.
• Onsen Guest House Tsutaya: Situated between Gora and Lake Ashi. Clean, traditional rooms from 110$. Strong points: has its own onsen, a bus stop right outside for easy access, and very friendly staff.

Where to Stay in Hakone with Family

• Hakone Kowakien Hotel: This newly opened hotel offers modern, comfortable rooms for families from 250$. Strong points: more affordable than Tenyu but shares access to some facilities, very new and clean, great buffet restaurant.
• Mount View Hakone: Located in the Sengokuhara area, this hotel offers spacious traditional rooms perfect for families. Rates for four start from 300$, meals included. Strong points: excellent traditional multi-course meals, private onsen available for families to book, quiet and peaceful location.
• Hakone Kowakien Tenyu: This fantastic resort offers spacious Japanese-style rooms, all with a private open-air onsen on the balcony. Family rooms start from 450$, with breakfast included. Strong points: amazing infinity-style main onsen with valley views, great for all ages, and close to the Yunessun Spa Resort waterpark. You should really consider this place if you’re traveling to Hakone as a family.

What is the best hotel in Hakone?

If you are looking for the best hotel in Hakone, I recommend you the Gora Kadan.

And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still luxurious, you should book a night or more at Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, an IHG Hotel.

Where to stay in Hakone: The best hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Hakone, whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article.

You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel	District	Price (from)
GuestHouse Azito	Hakone-Yumoto	100€
Yumoto Fujiya Hotel	Hakone-Yumoto	200€
Hakone Suimeisou	Hakone-Yumoto	280€
Aura Tachibana	Hakone-Yumoto	450€
Hakone Yutowa	Gora	180€
Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora (IHG)	Gora	350€
Hakone Gora Byakudan	Gora	600€
Gora Kadan	Gora	800€
The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko	Lake Ashi	160€
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori	Lake Ashi	300€
Odakyu Hotel de Yama	Lake Ashi	320€
Ryuguden	Lake Ashi	400€
K's House Hakone – Onsen Hostel	Cheap Hotel	80€
Fuji-Hakone Guest House	Cheap Hotel	100€
Onsen Guest House Tsutaya	Cheap Hotel	110€
Hakone Kowakien Hotel	Hotel for families	250€
Mount View Hakone	Hotel for families	300€
Hakone Kowakien Tenyu	Hotel for families	450€