Hakone is one of the best places in Japan to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, relax in nature, and visit some of the country’s most remarkable art museums. It’s also famous for its natural hot springs, making it an ideal destination for a ryokan stay with open-air baths and private onsen.
Getting to Hakone from Tokyo is quick and easy, so it’s perfect for anyone looking to experience a traditional ryokan, soak in hot springs, and admire the iconic Mount Fuji. Many ryokans in Hakone are designed with international travelers in mind, offering modern luxuries like private open-air baths, spacious tatami rooms, large beds, and balconies with beautiful views. Even with these updates, you’ll still enjoy the warm hospitality ryokans are known for, along with traditional touches like tatami floors. Some ryokans let you choose between futon bedding or Western-style beds, but the highlight remains the incredible kaiseki dinners.
While in Hakone, immerse yourself in its natural beauty and culture. Start with a cruise on Lake Ashi, ride over Owakudani Valley on the ropeway, and explore the area’s stunning art museums. After your adventures, return to your ryokan to enjoy a traditional meal and relax in your private onsen, a great option if you’re new to onsen bathing, which is done without clothes.
If you have tattoos or prefer a more private setting, I’ve curated a list of the best ryokans with private onsen to ensure you have a relaxing and memorable stay in Hakone.
Ryokans in Hakone with Private Onsen
Ryokans in Hakone are incredibly luxurious. Add a private onsen to this, and you won’t want to check out ever again. A lot of ryokans in Hakone come with rotenburo (open-air baths) overlooking Mount Fuji or the nearby forested mountains. Hard to beat those views.
I mentioned in my previous post, where I talked about Kyoto ryokans with private onsen, that I do have tattoos, and renting a ryokan room with a private onsen is pretty important to me. Besides, I’m still not super comfortable being all nude in front of everyone, so I quite like my privacy. Please remember that when you book a room with a private onsen, you also get to share it with your partner. Public hot spring baths are segregated by gender, so some couples won’t be able to share this experience in Japan. For that reason, I recommend just having a private onsen. Is it more expensive? Yes, but in my opinion, it’s also worth it because it is, after all, a once-in-a-lifetime experience when you visit Japan.
I put together a handy list of ryokans that offer private onsens and open-air baths to help you find the perfect stay in Hakone.
Gora Kadan
Goda Kadan is the ultimate luxury ryokan in Hakone. It’s fair to assume that it’s one of the most sought after ryokan onsen and there’s a very good reason for it. Gora Kadan is located in the scenic town of Gora, on the grounds of the former Kan’in-no-miya Villa, once a summer retreat for a member of the Imperial Family.
The rooms all have traditional elements, including tatami floors. But wait, a lot of the rooms here come with a private onsen and some of these onsen are beyond stunning. They are rock bed open air baths in your own private garden. Stunning doesn’t even begin to cover this. The food is incredible too, with kaiseki style dinners and Japanese style breakfast.
For the ultimate once in a lifetime treat, Gora Kadan is the perfect ryokan with private onsen in Hakone.
Hakone Gora KARAKU
Hakone Gora Karaku is a luxurious ryokan resort which offers breathtaking views of the Hakone mountain range and Sagami Bay. And while the views are a great perk, the truth is, you want to come here for its 70 spacious rooms spread out over the East and West wings, each with its own private open air onsen.
When staying at ryokan Karaku you can expect great hospitality and delicious cuisine. Having access to private onsen with every room you book does make it sensational as you can basically have a spa weekend in utmost privacy.
If you want to venture out of your room as well, you can. Those lucky enough to not feel awkward being nude in public can also check out Karaku’s public onsen which provide panoramic views of the mountains and Sagami Bay. There are also three additional private baths available, each with a unique ambiance, for those seeking more privacy.
Kinnotake Tonosawa
Kinnotake Tonosawa is the perfect stay for those who want to be right in the middle of nature because this ryokan is set within the forests of Hakone. To get to it, you’ll need to cross a suspension bridge over the Hayakawa Valley.
Kinnotake Tonosawa is an adult-only ryokan and every single room comes with a private open air bath. Each of the eight distinct rooms has a private terrace that connects seamlessly with the forest.
The open-air baths are either crafted from Mikage stone or fragrant Aomori cypress for the utmost luxury. It’s usually down to preference, but I like the cypress open air baths the most. Rooms on the exclusive Club Floor provide even more elevated luxury, with Hinoki wood baths and spacious layouts.
Dinner showcases the changing seasons with a menu inspired by Japan’s traditional solar terms.
Hakone Gora Byakudan
Byakudan is the type of ryokan suited for those who want a peaceful retreat in the mountains of Hakone. This ryokan onsen is small with only 16 rooms onsite, each with its own open air onsen supplied by natural hot springs.
Each room at Byakudan was designed with modern Japanese elements in mind. The location is perfect for nature lovers. From your room, head to your private open air onsen and listen to the singing of wild birds while admiring the beautiful light filtering through the trees. Every room has a unique view, some overlooking the moss garden, the natural forest or the Hakone mountain range.
Byakudan’s hot spring water is drawn directly from their private source, providing natural golden-colored mineral water that is mildly alkaline.
Takumino Yado Yoshimatsu
If you’re looking for a traditional ryokan, Takuminoyado Yoshimatsu is a great choice. Surrounded by bamboo groves, it’s perfect for capturing beautiful photos. It’s also in an excellent location on a hill with views of the stunning Lake Ashi.
Takuminoyado Yoshimatsu offers options for different budgets, as only some rooms have private onsen. If you prefer more privacy or have tattoos, booking a room with your own open-air bath is a smart choice. For a more indulgent stay, their luxury suite comes with breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and a private open-air bath.
Hakone Suishoen
Hakone Suishoen is a luxurious traditional style ryokan that offers the perfect blend of history and elegance. Originally built as a villa for the Mitsui financial group, it is now a registered cultural property. As you’d expect from such a high-end property, each of the suites comes with its own private hot spring bath, and some also include features like mist saunas, foot baths, and hammocks. For even more luxury, the ryokan offers suites with Ryukyu tatami rooms and spacious layouts.
Dining is a highlight, with kaiseki meals and teppanyaki options that celebrate seasonal flavors. For a unique experience, visit the Ito Bar for original cocktails and rare liquors.
Every room has its own open-air bath, sourced from gently alkaline hot springs. The ryokan also offers a communal bath with a dry sauna and a luxurious spa that uses plant-based treatments and traditional techniques.
Kanaya Resort Hakone
Kanaya Resort Hakone is located in the peaceful forests of Hakone. If you’re looking for the perfect combo of luxury meets nature, this is the ryokan for you. Inspired by the villa of John Kanaya, the resort blends Japanese and Western design with a focus on relaxation, fine dining, and soothing hot springs.
Each room features private baths with water sourced from the Owakudani hot spring. Relax in your own private onsen, filled with the silky, mineral-rich waters of Owakudani, then enjoy a stunning kaiseki style dinner.
My tip: don’t miss the forest terrace onsite, it really is stunning. My recommendation is to grab a drink and just stroll around the primeval forest, especially stunning during autumn.
Hananoyado Fukuya
Hananoyado Fukuya is a peaceful ryokan by Lake Ashi, offering an intimate stay with only six rooms. Five of the rooms feature private open-air hot spring baths, some of which are overlooking gorgeous Japanese nature.
Meals are served in your room, with kaiseki cuisine highlighting fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients. Special requests like sukiyaki or shabu-shabu can be arranged in advance.
The onsen includes indoor and outdoor baths with mineral-rich waters known for their therapeutic benefits. Public baths can be reserved for private use in the evenings too.
Ryokan Hakone Ginyu
Hakone Ginyu is a luxurious retreat high above Miyanoshita, 420 meters above sea level, where breathtaking views of the Hayakawa River and Hakone Mountain Range surround you.
Each room features a private open-air onsen on the terrace, where you can soak in mineral-rich waters while taking in stunning views of the valley. If privacy and natural beauty are what you seek, Hakone Ginyu delivers.
Dining here is an experience to savor, with seasonal kaiseki cuisine crafted to perfection. Served in the privacy of your room, each dish showcases the best ingredients of the season, making every meal feel intimate and special.
The ryokan’s spectacular public infinity onsen lets you relax while gazing out at the mountains. Luxury at its finest in Hakone.
Hakone Kowakien Tenyu
Hakone Kowakien Tenyu is a luxurious ryokan in the heart of Hakone, where every room features a private open-air hot spring bath. This ryokan onsen is surrounded by stunning mountain views and leafy forests.
The onsen includes the infinity-style “Ukigumo no Yu” bath with mountain views and the tranquil “Kurumazawa no Yu” bath surrounded by nature. Private in-room baths add to the luxury experience and make sure you get to enjoy a traditional Japanese experience without having to worry about privacy or your tattoos.
Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan
Mikawaya Ryokan is a 140-year-old retreat in Hakone’s Kowakudani and the ideal ryokan for those looking for a proper Japanese experience. It’s in Horaien Garden and has lovely traditional rooms for everyone to enjoy. Choose the historic Main Building for nostalgia or the Detached Building and Annex for privacy, complete with open-air baths.
Dining is a seasonal feast, featuring local delicacies like the signature Mikawaya hotpot and fresh soy milk hotpot. The ryokan’s private hot spring and outdoor baths offer ultimate relaxation, while access to the nearby Mori no Yu adds a luxurious touch.
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori
Unlike the previous ryokans mentioned, Hanaori Hakone is located on the shores of Lake Ashi. It has spacious rooms, soothing hot springs, and traditional dining, making it an ideal escape in scenic Hakone.
The ryokan onsen features standard rooms as well as Japanese western rooms with private open air onsen. This is ideal if you are traveling with your family and you’d want privacy. The dinning here is buffet style, allowing you to select from a wide range of delicious treats.
The onsen experience includes two public baths with views of Lake Ashi or seasonal gardens, plus private semi-open-air baths for those seeking extra privacy.
Hakone Cuisine Inn Origin
Kyuan is a luxury ryokan in Hakone which has reopened in 2018 after renovations. Kyuan offers elegant rooms, exceptional kaiseki cuisine, and rejuvenating hot springs. The best part are its exclusive suites like the VIP “Senjo,” with private cypress and open-air baths each featuring luxurious amenities such as Sealy beds, espresso machines, and private balconies.
Traditional kaiseki meals, crafted with the finest seasonal ingredients, are served in-room or in private dining areas. Signature dishes, like round eggplant with buckwheat noodles and abalone, showcase artistry in both taste and presentation.
Kyuan’s onsen facilities include large communal baths and private baths that can be reserved for a secluded soak. The natural hot spring waters are sourced from Ninotaira Onsen.
Centurion Hakone Bettei
Centurion Hotel Hakone Bettei is an exclusive hot spring retreat in Hakone’s tranquil Sengokuhara area. With just 13 sleek, modern Japanese-style rooms, it promises a serene and intimate escape for adults seeking comfort, privacy, and relaxation.
Each room here features a private semi open-air bath and some of them overlook the stunning forests of Hakone. Dining is a refined experience in semi-private rooms, where chefs craft luxurious meals with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
The hotel’s onsen draws milky, mineral-rich waters from Sengokuhara Onsen. Your options are to unwind in private room baths, a 24-hour communal bath, or one of two reservable open-air baths with saunas.
Suiun Hakone
Suiun is an adults-only retreat in the heart of Hakone’s Gora area. This ryokan onsen is surrounded by lush landscapes and each room features an open air cypress hot spring bath, allowing you to relax in privacy while enjoying the soothing scent of wood.
Dining highlights include seasonal banquet menus, like alfonsino shabu-shabu, served in-room for an intimate experience. You can also enjoy late-night ramen in the lounge for a cosy touch.
The onsen facilities are exceptional, featuring communal baths and three private baths (cypress, rock, and ceramic), perfect for unwinding. If you have tattoos, you can use private baths or cover tattoos in communal areas.
Yoshiike Ryokan
Yoshiike Ryokan is a luxury ryokan in Hakone Yumoto, surrounded by a stunning 33,000 m² garden.
The rooms at Yoshiike are designed in a classic Japanese style, many overlooking the beautiful gardens. For added privacy, some rooms feature open-air hot spring baths.
The onsen facilities are exceptional, featuring six natural hot springs, including garden-view baths, a cave bath, and a cypress indoor bath. Private baths are also available, and the mineral-rich waters are known for their therapeutic benefits.
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone is one of the most special ryokans in Hakone area because it comes with breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. The hotel features a range of rooms, including Japanese-style and Western-style options, as well as luxurious rooms with private open-air baths overlooking Mt. Fuji. The Japanese-style suite even boasts a private cypress bath with stunning views of the iconic peak.
The onsen at Green Plaza Hakone draws its mineral-rich waters from Sengokuhara Onsen, known for its skin-nourishing properties. Open-air baths offer unrivalled views of Mt. Fuji, especially striking during the snowy months.
