Mountain View Hotels in Hakone

I took a bus from Odawara Station, got off at the “Verde no Mori” bus stop, and reached the property in about an 8-minute walk. As it was my first time visiting Hakone, walking uphill from the bus stop while carrying a suitcase made me feel a bit uneasy at first. However, once I arrived, I was warmly welcomed with a welcome drink, and they kindly accommodated an early check-in, which was a big relief. The room was spacious with a beautiful view, and I was thrilled to finally experience a semi-open-air bath, something I had always dreamed of. The location is extremely quiet, making it a perfect place to truly relax and enjoy a peaceful escape from everyday life. There isn’t much around the property. If you have a car, this won’t be an issue, but for those without one (like me this time), I recommend bringing some snacks just in case. Although I didn’t use it, the hotel also seems to offer shuttle service to nearby bus stops. Dinner, which I reserved in advance, was served in a private dining room and featured a kaiseki-style menu. During my stay in late January, the sashimi course originally included bluefin tuna, amberjack, and ark shell. However, because “a Japanese guest (me!) was visiting,” they thoughtfully prepared usubahagi, a fish I had never encountered before. I was truly impressed by this considerate gesture. The sakura shrimp rice cooked in a small clay pot was another highlight. When I couldn’t finish it all, they kindly made rice balls for me to take, which was such a warm and thoughtful touch. Breakfast was also confirmed the day before, and I was able to receive some additional service. Both meals were excellent in quantity and flavor—I enjoyed everything immensely. The flowing hot spring bath in the room requires mixing in cold water and adjusting the temperature yourself, but by running the cold water about 5–7 minutes before bathing, it was not inconvenient at all. Honestly, this is a place that may divide opinions depending on personal preference. For me, however, it was a wonderful stay, and I definitely plan to return. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch his name, but the Japanese male staff member who took care of our meals was gentle, polite, and answered all my questions clearly, which made me feel very comfortable. There was also a young Southeast Asian female staff member; while there were minor communication misunderstandings, she worked very hard. As someone who also works abroad, I sincerely hope she continues sharing the beauty of Hakone and Japan with international guests visiting this inn. Next time, I will definitely stay for multiple nights!

Our stay at this luxury ryokan was simply magnificent in every aspect: the service, atmosphere, grounds, cleanliness, and the genuine care and attention to detail were all exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were treated with the utmost reverence and attentiveness, making us feel like honored guests and part of the ryokan family. As Russian guests, we were particularly impressed by the thoughtful arrangements made for our comfort. A Russian-speaking concierge was provided for check-in and orientation, and our waitress had made special preparations to explain the nuances and flavors of each dish in Kaiseki cuisine to us in Russian – a truly considerate touch that greatly enhanced our dining experience. The ryokan's dedication to guest satisfaction extended beyond the expected. When we mentioned visiting a nearby museum (a mere 2-minute drive away), the hotel immediately offered us a complimentary transfer in a Mercedes S-Class. This gesture, like everything else, felt genuinely heartfelt and was provided entirely free of charge. The onsen (hot spring baths) were superb, and our room, along with the overall tranquil and authentic atmosphere, was perfect. This experience has left a profound and lasting impression; you will forever hold a special place in my wife's and my hearts. We would like to extend special and heartfelt thanks to AJARA and ROSA for their outstanding service and remarkable sensitivity to our cultural background and Russian language needs. Your efforts made our stay truly unique and deeply appreciated.

This hotel is a paradise in the mountains of Hakone! Traditional style of the rooms - it feels like you are living in a Japanese family. We were prepared a traditional dinner, which was served in our room. It was very tasty and varied! The hotel has 3 onsen: 2 - private, 1 - public. We visited only the private ones (you need to book a time in advance at the reception upon check-in, the visit time is 30 minutes). It was wonderful! The hotel also provides a transfer from and to the nearest train stations. The rooms are clean, cozy, we slept on tatami under soft blankets. The hotel has a relax room. With massage chairs and a very quiet atmosphere. We stayed in this room after visiting the onsen and got great relaxation. And you are also given national clothes for rest and sleep. It is very beautiful and cute. Breakfasts were also in kaiseki style - varied and unusual. The hotel staff is very kind and friendly. this hotel allows tattoo baths. great experience, thank you very much! want to come back again!

Yama No Chaya has its own beauty and serenity. I personally don’t find it hard to locate - 2 bus stops away from Hakone Yumoto station + a 5 minutes walk are worth the stay. (Bus service stopped for one of the days due to bad weather and we walked for 20 minutes to Hakone Yumoto Station - all good) The team is very hospitable - they also have some English and Chinese speaking staff otherwise simple English is not an issue to communicate. Our butler - Sandip always carry a smile with him, and he ensured we are very well taken care of. Every morning, the team will prepare heat pack and umbrellas for us (it was raining and snowing). In the evening, they made tea and prepared snacks (vary from mochi to sushi) for us upon our returned. The room we booked is Yamano Ichigo (main wing) - just nice for 2. The viewing platform was where we relaxed every evening and we soaked our tiredness away in our very own private onsen at the basement. Despite of having our own private onsen, I still went to visit 3 other public onsen within the Ryokan - you will not be disappointed. Our room came with daily breakfast and we added on dinner for 1 night. I must say the chef and culinary team put in their passion and effort to prepare all the dishes. It’s not common for a visitor like me to taste Kaisekai cuisine which I enjoyed very much. You need to take time and an empty stomach to full experience it :) However, my partner and I weren’t used to heavy breakfast and our butler noticed it - we get to change to western style for the rest of the stay which was equally delicious. We are thankful that we minimised food wastage. Overall, we felt pampered during our stay at Yama no Chaya :) I will return again in the future when I visit Hakone.

As a Korean family living in the United States, we stayed here as a family of four with our two young children (40 months and 21 months old), and overall, we had a truly memorable experience. We booked through Trip.com, and because there were no clearly stated child occupancy policies during booking, we reserved the room as 3 adults. This later created some confusion during check-in, which I will mention below, but aside from that, nearly everything about this hotel was exceptional. First, the positives: The breakfast was outstanding—worthy of its Michelin Guide 2025 recognition. Every meal was beautifully prepared, thoughtful, and delicious. We chose a traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, and for our family with young children, it was perfect. Being able to remove our shoes and comfortably live on the floor felt especially natural and relaxing as Asians, and parents with little children will understand how convenient and comfortable this setup is. The location is also excellent—within walking distance from Gora Station, where the mountain railway arrives. Even with two small children, the walk was very manageable. The onsen experience was wonderful, and the guest lounge available from morning until 10 PM was another highlight that made the stay feel luxurious and comfortable. The dining area itself deserves special praise. Enjoying breakfast and dinner while overlooking the beautiful inner garden pond was peaceful and elegant, and the restaurant service team was abundant, attentive, warm, and professional. It truly felt like top-class hospitality. Now, one disappointment: During check-in, one female staff member wearing a headscarf made several comments that felt unnecessarily cold and transactional. Because we booked as 3 adults, she repeatedly explained that our children could be accommodated because of that booking choice—as if we were receiving an exception—despite there being no clearly stated child policy during reservation. She also explained that only 3 adult yukata/lounge outfits had been prepared in the room because we booked for 3 adults, and said we could request children's clothing “if needed.” When I asked when we should request them, she simply repeated that we could ask when necessary. At that point, a more thoughtful hospitality approach would have been something simple like: “I see you have two young children—would you like us to prepare children’s outfits now?” That small difference would have reflected genuine care. At check-out, I again observed behavior that felt uncomfortable. A trainee staff member was assisting us, and when the trainee forgot to request identification, the same staff member visibly frowned and corrected the trainee in front of us. It felt unnecessarily tense and unprofessional in front of guests. What stood out was that every other staff member we encountered was warm, polite, smiling, and genuinely welcoming. They bowed, greeted us kindly, and made us feel respected. Only this one staff member felt noticeably different—cold enough that we were left wondering whether it was discomfort toward children, cultural bias, or simply a personal attitude issue. I travel frequently internationally for business in a senior executive role, and this was the first time I experienced service that felt this distinctly uncomfortable from a luxury hospitality employee. That said, I want to emphasize: everyone else at the hotel was wonderful, and the property itself is beautiful, peaceful, elegant, and family-friendly. We would gladly return—but I hope the warmth shown by the rest of the team becomes the standard reflected consistently by every member of staff.

Check-in was easy, and I received an email a few days prior with instructions. The room was generally clean and tidy. The view right outside the hotel was stunning. It was so chill to walk to a coffee shop in the morning. The only downside is that Moto-Hakone is a bit remote; most restaurants close after 6 PM. You might need to drive about half an hour (on mountain roads) to find a livelier town.

First off, let me explain why I chose this hotel. A colleague highly recommended it. Her Japanese relatives had taken her there when she visited Hakone before, and she said it was mostly frequented by locals. After checking in, I found this to be true, so I booked it. Now, about the location. It's right next to Kowakien. The bus stops in that area are all very close, with three stops within two to three hundred meters. You can take a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Horaien, and the hotel is directly across the street. Buses run every 15 minutes, are very punctual, clean, and convenient. It's also very close to Ten-yu and Mori-no-yu, just a short walk away. As for the service, it was absolutely impeccable. There was a handsome, glasses-wearing gentleman who spoke Chinese and had an incredibly good attitude. There was also a slightly plump Chinese lady who was very kind. After check-in, she even escorted us to our room and explained everything. Throughout our stay, everyone we encountered had an excellent attitude. They even meticulously explained our itinerary for the next day and proactively helped with our luggage. As my son said, ”They're genuinely good.” Regarding the meals, I booked a half-board plan. Dinner started at 5:30 PM and was a Japanese kaiseki meal. I didn't realize at the time that some dishes could be swapped. My son was very hungry before eating, and we both pretty much finished everything. The wagyu beef was especially delicious. For breakfast, the staff asked us the day before what we preferred. My son chose the Western style, and I opted for the Japanese. The rice was delicious, and the salmon portions were generous. About the onsen (hot spring baths): We arrived in the afternoon on our first day and immediately went to Mori-no-yu for a soak. The hotel provided free tickets, along with four arcade coupons. In the evening after dinner, we booked a private bath. Here's a note: I had read online that you could reserve private baths, but that's not actually the case. You need to check with the front desk, and if one is available, you can use it. You can't make reservations; you just have to wait. My son asked earlier and was told one would be free at 5:30 PM. We went at 6:20 PM after the previous occupants left. There are three private baths, and each session is an hour long – very comfortable! As for the main public bath, there's one indoor pool and one outdoor pool. I went early the next morning when no one else was there, so it was like having a private bath with an even better ambiance. Cleanliness and the room: The room was very spacious with a balcony, offering views of lush green mountains and clear water. My son said the bed was very soft and comfortable. There was water provided, but no shower in the room itself. Although the hotel is older, it was very clean. Overall, I was extremely satisfied. My son said he wants to go back again, but unfortunately, my wallet isn't quite ready for it!

Important note: You absolutely must call for the shuttle bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station to this hotel. Walking up there will exhaust you! I didn't do my research properly and on the first day, I dragged my large luggage all the way from Hakone-Yumoto Station. It was like climbing a mountain, all steep slopes – I was completely worn out. The hotel service is excellent. It's an old-fashioned onsen hotel, but very clean. The hot springs are super comfortable, and the staff are incredibly nice. Almost every time I went, it was a private bath, so you can soak in them daily. The half-board (dinner and breakfast) is very exquisite; the taste is subjective, but I felt dinner was a bit better. Breakfast had a good variety but was just okay taste-wise. Experiencing the tatami room was a very good experience; the futons were soft and comfortable.

Hi everyone, It was very beautiful place to stay, very peaceful, clean and comfortable. Large room, beautiful view and onsen was very good. To those not travelling by car, you need to get a bus Hakone freepass to get around. You can purchase it online, this is a big help. One of the biggest problem was when we arrived the bus station at bus stop no. 252 ( Sengoku-kogen), we called the hotel to arrange to be pick up from the bus station no. 252, we have terrible language problems. They don't understand where was bus stop 252. They don't recognise there is a coffee shop, Lawson and little police station. Finally we have to pull our luggageas all the way to the hotel. Majority of the road was uphill and very little lighting ... Near bus stop number 252, you can see Lawson, a coffee shop and little police station. On the second day, the shuttle bus service took us out to the musuem. We walked back from the museums, it took about 90mins to walk back to the hotel. We were told the bus ticket have to purchase at the counter Tokendai. We were stucked in the hotel for two days, because we really don't know where to apply which bus tickets. On the third day, the hotel shuttle took us to another musuem, we were very thankful a lady from a musuem inform us we can get the ticket Hakone free pass online. On the fourth day, we just realised Tokendai ( cruise) very close to the hotel. Luckily we managed to get around for the last day of our stay. Overall we enjoyed the stay. The receptionists were very polite and tried to help. We have communication breakdown, they were continually apologises. Big thank you for the trip.com to solve the problem.

We stayed here for one night as a group of three and had a wonderful experience. The hotel is a bit old-fashioned, but it was clean, well maintained, and had a charming, traditional atmosphere. We booked a Japanese-style room with futons. The room was spacious and divided into two separate areas, giving us plenty of room to relax. We had a beautiful view of Mt. Fuji from our room, and the hotel’s Japanese garden also offered great views of the mountain. Setting up the futons ourselves was easy, and the room was equipped with yukatas, towels, and slippers for visiting the onsen. The staff were friendly, spoke good English, and made us feel very welcome throughout our stay. Both the onsen and the dinner buffet were included in the room rate, which made the stay feel like excellent value. We enjoyed the buffet before heading to the onsen. There was an impressive selection of dishes—almost too many to choose from! Most of the food was Japanese, and while not every dish stood out, everything we tried was good. Alcoholic drinks were available for an additional charge and were not included with dinner. The onsen was definitely the highlight of our stay. There are separate bathing areas for men and women, and the rules were clearly explained, making it easy to use even as first-time visitors. The facilities were clean and included both indoor and outdoor baths. From the outdoor bath on the men’s side, we had a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji. We had read reviews saying the mountain was only visible from the women’s side, but that wasn’t our experience. Relaxing in the hot spring while looking at Mt. Fuji was unforgettable. The changing and washing areas were clean, and the opening hours were generous. Tattoos are not permitted in the onsen, so it’s best to bring your own tattoo cover stickers if you need them. They are also available for purchase at the front desk, although we found them to be a little expensive. The hotel is located quite far from central Hakone, so it’s worth allowing plenty of travel time. However, it’s easy to reach by bus, and it’s also located right next to the Hakone Ropeway station, making it very convenient for visiting the area’s main attractions. We didn’t use the hotel’s shuttle service because the walk from the nearby bus stop was only a couple of minutes. One thing to keep in mind is that there aren’t any convenience stores or other shops within walking distance, so it’s a good idea to buy anything you might need before arriving. Overall, we were extremely happy with our stay. Compared to many other hotels in the Hakone area, this one was noticeably more affordable, and we felt it offered excellent value for money considering everything that was included. If you’re looking for a traditional onsen experience with incredible views of Mt. Fuji, this hotel is an excellent choice.