20 Best Hakone Ryokans with a Private Onsen (2025)

Hakone is the favourite holiday retreat of Tokyo's citizens, and for good reason: a region of glorious mountains, thick forests, meadows of cherry trees giving shade to ancient Shintu shrines - it's an otherworld of relaxation, romance and rejuvenation. The best ryokans in Hakone with a private onsen come in many forms - from chic, minimalist affairs to luxurious, classically Japanese stays, and all the best Hakone ryokans have private onsens fed from the nearby geothermal valley. The waters are medicinal, the views are magical, and the rooms are divine.

For a spa break

• You can expect luxury as standard from Gora Kadan; after all, it was once the holiday home of the Imperial family. With spacious, uncluttered rooms - designed, seemingly, to maximise a sense of serenity - adorned with western-style beds and splashes of chic decor, and all boasting its own private outdoor onsen looking out towards the mountains. For those seeking a spa holiday, they'll enjoy the spoiling spa, gym and swimming pool. A real treat!
• Once a noble’s residence, Hakone-Suishoen offers private open-air hot spring baths in every suite, some with saunas. Indulge in Sisley spa rituals, stroll landscaped gardens, and savour exquisite seasonal cuisine — pure, soul-soothing relaxation.
• Spacious rooms with private hot spring baths and sweeping mountain views set the tone for total tranquillity at Karaku. Unwind in panoramic open-air baths, treat yourself to luxury spa therapies, and feast on world-class Japanese cuisine amid Hakone’s natural beauty.

For a chic hotel

• On the quirkier side, Yushintei is a chic, cosy, riverside ryokan offering simple, minimalist rooms blending classic Japanese style with modern Western touches. Each room has its own hot spring bath, and for those wanting a slice of Japan, the restaurant serves up delightful regional cuisine.
• Hakone Hatsuhana is a stylish sanctuary in Hakone, where sleek modern luxury meets serene Japanese tradition. Unwind in your private open-air onsen, feast on exquisite kaiseki cuisine, and soak up rooftop infinity bath views of Mt. Yusaka.

For a romantic break

• The enchanting views of Mount Fuji, as seen from the private outdoor hot spring baths of the guestrooms of Yoshimatsu, are one-in-a-million. Couples love it here. This is a hotel of intimacy and relaxation, on a forested hill far from anywhere. The rooms are airy, stripped-back and spacious, in classic Japanese style. For ultimate relaxation, book a luxury suite with an open-air onsen.
• A blend of Japanese and Western designs, Hakone Kowakien Ten Yu offers private, terraced onsens with incredibly romantic, near-magical views of Mount Fuji. The rooms themselves are contemporary and stripped-back in that classically Japanese style, while the restaurant is a sumptous focal point: serving up all sorts of food, from Japanese specialities to pizzas and burgers. Delightful, romantic - couples will love this.
• Indulge in 5-star luxury surrounded by Hakone’s natural beauty at Hakone NICA. Couples will love private onsens, forest-view balconies, and dreamy sunsets through floor-to-ceiling windows. A refined blend of French-Japanese cuisine makes every evening an intimate, unforgettable experience.

For a traditional stay

• Step back in time at Matsuzakaya Honten, a 17th-century hideaway. Tatami-floored rooms, soothing indoor and open-air onsen baths, and exquisite kaiseki cuisine promise a truly authentic Japanese retreat surrounded by mountain views and timeless tranquillity.
• Hakone Yuyado Zen- Unwind in traditional tatami rooms with private onsen baths and spectacular views of Mount Fuji or lush forests. Savour fresh, seasonal cuisine and discover Hakone’s cultural gems just moments away. A serene, classic Japanese escape.
• Experience understated luxury in Hakone Gora Byakudan, a serene ryokan. Tatami mats, warm neutral décor, private open-air hot springs, and refined kaiseki dining create the perfect balance of tradition and modern comfort, nestled in Hakone’s natural beauty.
• Mikawaya Ryokan is a 19th-century ryokan steeped in heritage, set within 16,000 sqm of stunning gardens. Choose Japanese or Western-style rooms, many with private onsen baths, and enjoy seasonal gastronomy amid breathtaking mountain and countryside views.

Alpine-chic

• Hakone Retreat Villa 1/F is only 2 hours from Tokyo, but it looks like the refurbished cabin of an Alpine mountaineer who's hit the big time. With its totally unique Alpine-esque rustic take on the traditional Japanese ryokan, each wood-panelled, rustic-chic guestroom opens out to its own private hot spring bath, staring out over the canopy of the forest. Choose from Japanese or French-style cuisine - your move.

• Tucked away in Hakone’s tranquil mountains, Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara oozes alpine chic. Modern rooms with parquet floors and plush textures set the mood, each with a private hot spring. Indulge in open-air baths and refined, French-inspired cuisine.

On a budget

• Ginyu Ryokan is incredible value for money. Sitting in the picturesque Hakone mountains and forests, this charming hotel offers traditional Japanese guestrooms with their own private terraces centred around a hot spring bath. You'll be served Kaiseki cuisine in the restaurant, and can stroll around this utterly romantic and tranquil property at your leisure.
• Yama No Chaya prides itself as a centre of wellness and relaxation, and it lives up to that vision while also remaining fairly inexpensive (by Hakone standards), considering the pampering luxury awaiting you. The rooms are full of light, with traditional Japanese flourishes like tatami flooring and the option of futon beds; the private guestroom onsens are a godsend, and there's a spa offering aromatherapy and in-room massages. A pure, pampering stay.
• Whilst it may be good value, Gora Hanaougi is also an elegant and luxurious stay. With the atmosphere of a temple deep in the mountains, it offers spacious and serene suites adorned in native wood beams and with their own private open-air baths looking out over the mountains. It's a wonderful stay.

For a family holiday

• Offering private, outdoor onsens fed with water from the volcanic valley of Owakudani, KAI Sengokuhara looks out over the valley from a hilltop setting. The rooms are cool-yet-traditional. Think futon-style beds and washi paper screens and walls adorned with chic splashes of abstract art. The restaurant serves up kaiseki meals, with an emphasis on locally-sourced seafood, and in the evenings, the hotel puts on Tenugui towel art workshops that are a favourite of children.

For a contemporary feel

• The emphasis on architectural purity at Kinnotake Tonosawa is not everyone's cup-of-tea, but for those who like stripped-back, minimalist, highly modern design, you'll love it. With floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the forest, each suite has its own private hot spring bath. The "purity" of the design is an attempt to allow serenity to blossom, and the spacious rooms certainly do that.
• Gen Hakone is a sleek, modern ryokan with breathtaking Hakone Highlands views from private terraces. Minimalist rooms feature outdoor hot spring baths. Indulge in exquisite Kaiseki cuisine celebrating Japan’s finest regional produce. A serene blend of tradition and contemporary luxury.

Still not sure?

• Looking for something cheaper? See our collection of the 12 best ryokans in Hakone
• Fancy a bit of luxury? Try our list of the best luxury ryokans in Hakone
• Expand your search to include our recommendations for the best places to stay in nearby Atami or Izu
• Or you could contact one of our Gurus for advice.