Overview

Stay high on the Sounzan hillside at Gran Terrace Le Lien Hakone, a small mountain auberge with only eight rooms. From this elevated setting, you can look across the Hakone mountains toward Mount Myojogatake and Sagami Bay, with distant views reaching even farther on clear days.

The scenery changes throughout the year. Winter and spring mornings may bring colourful sunrises over the sea, while summer and autumn evenings light up the mountains. After dark, the terrace opens toward the moon, stars, and wide night sky.

Your stay combines seasonal cooking, private Owakudani Onsen bathing, and quiet time surrounded by nature. The small scale gives the property an intimate feel, whether you spend the evening beside the fireplace, enjoy breakfast on the terrace, or do nothing more than watch the light change across the mountains.

Accommodation

You can choose from four Western Rooms, three Japanese Rooms, and one Japanese-Western Room. All eight rooms are non-smoking and face the Hakone mountains, Mount Myojogatake, and Sagami Bay. Each room also includes a balcony where you can step outside and take in the fresh mountain air.

The Western Rooms measure approximately 18 to 20 square metres and include twin beds. Their simple layout gives you a comfortable space for resting between hot spring bathing and sightseeing.

The Japanese Rooms also measure approximately 18 to 20 square metres. Tatami flooring creates a more traditional atmosphere and gives you space to sit close to the floor and unwind.

The single Japanese-Western Room measures approximately 45 square metres and includes a queen bed, private bath, and broad ocean and mountain views. This room does not accept anyone under the age of 18, including children sharing a bed.

Your room includes air conditioning, a television, an empty refrigerator, washlet toilet, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, USB charging access, towels, yukata, slippers, mineral water, green tea, and black tea. Toothbrushes, hairbrushes, hair ties, hair turbans, a humidifying diffuser, and a bag for carrying your bathing items are also provided.

Dining

Dinner follows one chef-prepared omakase course inspired by Italian cuisine and shaped by Japanese ingredients and cooking methods. The menu changes with the season rather than following a fixed selection.

Binchotan charcoal and a Spanish Josper oven bring depth and smoky character to the dishes. Your course may move from small starters and charcoal-grilled Hakone vegetables to seafood, meat, handmade pasta, and dessert. Each ingredient is prepared to bring out its natural flavour rather than covering it with heavy seasoning.

Breakfast is served as a mini course with fruit or vegetable juice, soup, two kinds of bread, salad, an egg dish, sausage or bacon, a side dish, dessert, and coffee or tea. When the weather is suitable, you can eat on the Gran Terrace while looking toward Mount Myojogatake and Sagami Bay.

All meals require advance reservation and cannot be added on the day of arrival. Dinner reservations also require arrival by 7:00 PM. The kitchen cannot safely prepare food for diagnosed or serious allergies because separate cooking equipment and preparation areas are not available. Vegetarian, vegan, and halal meals are only available when the entire property is reserved for private use.

For a birthday, anniversary, or other celebration, you can arrange a handmade cake or mini champagne tower. Celebration requests need to be placed at least two days before arrival.

Onsen and Wellness

Two private hot spring rooms give you access to 100% free-flowing Owakudani Onsen water. Both bathing rooms are the same size, although one is maintained at a slightly cooler temperature.

You do not need to book a bath in advance. When one is available, write your room number and intended bathing time on the board at the entrance. You can then lock the room and enjoy up to 45 minutes of private bathing. You may return as many times as you like, and the baths remain available throughout the day and night.

The milky water comes from Owakudani and carries a noticeable sulfur scent. It is classified as an acidic calcium sulfate and chloride spring, with a source temperature of around 60°C.

Bathing in this water is associated with relief from muscle and joint discomfort, nerve pain, stiff shoulders, poor circulation, fatigue, and stress-related symptoms. The water is also known for leaving the skin feeling soft, although its acidic character may not suit highly sensitive or very dry skin. The hot spring water is not suitable for drinking.

There are no shared public baths. Every hot spring session is private and limited to you and the people staying in your room or travelling with you.

Guests with Tattoos

You can use both private Owakudani hot spring rooms if you have tattoos. All hot spring bathing is private, so you never share the bathing space with anyone outside your room or group.

Facilities

The restaurant also serves as a living room outside meal hours, with natural light, comfortable seating, and a wall furnace that adds warmth during colder months. You can sit with a book, enjoy a drink, or take time to rest between outings.

The large outdoor terrace looks toward Sagami Bay, Mount Myojogatake, and the surrounding mountains. You can enjoy breakfast here when the weather allows, relax at sunset, or spend the evening looking at the stars. The sloping terrace garden is planted with wildflowers and mountain plants chosen by the chef to create a natural backdrop for the restaurant.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and on-site parking is provided. Manduka yoga equipment can be rented for personal sunrise or sunset practice on the terrace, although guided yoga classes are not currently offered.

The building has two floors without an elevator or escalator and is not barrier-free. Most rooms are on the second floor, while the private hot spring rooms are on the first floor. There is no shuttle service.

All indoor areas are non-smoking. A designated smoking space is available outside near the entrance.

There are no vending machines or convenience stores close to the property. You should collect drinks, snacks, and other essentials around Hakone-Yumoto or Gora before heading up the mountain.

Activities

Walk to Sounzan Station and begin exploring Hakone by cable car and ropeway. The Hakone Ropeway carries you from Sounzan toward Owakudani, Ubako, and Togendai beside Lake Ashi. Along the way, you can see volcanic steam, mountain scenery, and Mount Fuji when conditions are clear.

At Sounzan Station, cu–mo Hakone offers an observation terrace, footbath, café drinks, light food, and regional souvenirs. It is an easy place to stop before or after a ropeway journey.

Travel down by cable car to explore Gora Park, the Hakone Museum of Art, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and the streets around Gora Station. Seasonal flowers, craft workshops, galleries, and cafés give you plenty to experience without travelling far.

Back at the property, you can practise yoga on the terrace, watch the sunrise, enjoy an evening barbecue when available, or spend the night stargazing. Hakone’s luggage transport service can also move your bags between Hakone-Yumoto Station and the property, leaving you free to explore before check-in or after departure.

Additional Features

Check-in runs from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with arrival by 7:00 PM required when dinner is included. Check-out is by 11:00 AM. Early entry is not available because the small team prepares and cleans the property before each arrival.

The entrance is locked from 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and you cannot enter or leave during these hours. A 24-hour front desk is not available, so late arrival after 9:00 PM requires advance arrangement.