12 Best Hakone Ryokan with Private Onsen | Luxury Experiences

Whether you live in Tokyo or are just visiting, making a trip out to the traditional onsen town of Hakone is a must if you want to experience real Japanese culture.

But, it is known around the world that to bathe in a Japanese onsen, you have to get naked.

Onsen have been a large part of Japanese culture for centuries, but getting nude around other people can be embarrassing, even for some Japanese people.

We think that everyone should be able to appreciate the relaxing and rejuvenating properties of onsen, without the awkwardness that comes with making eye contact with someone while naked.

For these reasons, we are going to introduce our top 12 ryokan and hotels in Hakone with private onsen.

In a private onsen, you can take your time and enjoy the stress-relieving waters by yourself, with your partner, or with your family.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

• Types of private onsen
• Top 12 ryokan and hotels in hakone with private onsen
1. Gora Kadan
2. Hakone Ginyu
3. Kinnotake Tonosawa
4. Hakone Suimeisou
5. Fukuzumiro
6. Senkyoro
7. Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka
8. Yutorelo An
9. Hotel Okada
10. Uoshizu
11. Hakone Pax Yoshino
12. Yamadaya

• Conclusion

Types of private onsen

Before introducing our favorite inns and hotels with private onsen in Hakone, we’ll briefly explain the types of private onsen.

There are 2 main types of private onsen.

They each have their pros and cons, for example.

Rental onsen

• Pros: Rental onsen are less expensive than rooms with onsen attached. Most ryokan allow you to reserve them for free if you’re staying overnight.
• Cons: Usually you need to make a reservation in advance, and there is a time limit. Most of them are booked in one-hour increments.

Rooms with onsen

• Pros: You have the onsen to yourself. As much as you want, whenever you want. Spend your time comfortably without worrying about anyone else.
• Cons: Rates for these rooms are often much higher.

If you want to enjoy a private onsen without spending too much money, we recommend staying at a ryokan with a rental onsen. If you want to enjoy a luxurious onsen at your own pace, we recommend booking a room with an onsen attached.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

Top 12 ryokan and hotels in hakone with private onsen

The following list includes ryokan with private onsen that you should check out.

These ryokan are known as some of Hakone’s best, and we are recommending the ones with the best private onsen.

1. Gora Kadan (強羅花壇)

Gora Kadan is a ryokan surrounded by nature deep in the Hakone mountains. It used to be the summer home for a former member of the Japanese Imperial Family.

One of the best parts of Gora Kadan is the beautiful landscaping. When looking out of your room, you will see the gardens that are beautifully arranged in traditional Japanese style. Look out even further and you will see the scenic Hakone national park.

After relaxing in the onsen, you could get a massage, sing karaoke, or even workout in their gym.

They provide kaiseki dinner to guests from their restaurant which is included in the cost of your room. Preparations start early, so you must contact them ahead of time if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.

Gora Kadan has 22 different room types. All of the rooms come with private onsen attached. Note that the standard rooms only include indoor onsen.

The Bettei Suite Akatsuki, pictured above, comes with an open-air stone onsen, wooden onsen, and a steam sauna.

If you reserve a standard room, you will still have access to the public onsen and the private rental onsen, which you can rent for free for 40 minutes.

Each room offers privacy while allowing you to relax with Japanese nature.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

2. Hakone Ginyu (箱根吟遊)

Hakone Ginyu is a luxury ryokan built over the Hayakawa ravine, which has amazing views of the Hakone mountain range.

Not only does each room come with a private outdoor onsen, but there is also a private onsen for reservation that comes straight from the onsen source.

If you’re going to celebrate an anniversary or the birthday of your partner, we recommend renting ‘Night Ginyu’, a special spa with a romantic mood and personal bartender.

The kaiseki meals and breakfast that come included in the price are fresh. They offer a 6-course dinner after 6 P.M., a “midnight meal” until 10 P.M., and breakfast from 8 A.M.

Every room at Hakone Ginyu comes with an open-air private onsen.

There are 4 types of rooms, and you can pick between a Western-style room, a Japanese-style room, and a maisonette. If you want to have a more traditional experience, try the Japanese-style room.

Because the rooms are all similarly priced, we recommend booking the room that has the accommodations that best suit your needs.

The meals are kaiseki and will be delivered to your room. They emphasize that in western rooms, they can deliver your meals without passing through or looking into the bedroom to provide privacy.

Hakone Ginyu is an unforgettable experience.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

↑ Go back to the table of contents

3. Kinnotake Tonosawa (金乃竹 塔ノ澤)

Kinnotake Tonosawa is a luxury ryokan that has a private onsen in every room. Located 5 minutes away from Hakone Yumoto station by bus or taxi. Check their website for the times that the bus is running.

You can choose between a seasonal dinner, a Wagyu dinner, or a vegan dinner. If you would like a vegan dinner or have any other allergies or food restrictions, they ask that you contact them 3 days in advance so they can prepare ingredients. In classic Japanese style, they serve kaiseki dinner starting at 5:30 or 7:30 P.M., and breakfast at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, and 9:00 A.M.

The pH of the onsen water is 9.5 and is supposed to relieve stress and fatigue while rejuvenating your skin. They have a completely customizable spa experience that can be tailored to meet each customer’s specific needs.

If you decided to go in the early months of summer, you could catch the native fireflies dancing in the Hayakawa river from the bamboo bar.

With only 23 rooms in total, Kinnotake Tonosawa has a private, tucked-away feeling. It’s a modern ryokan that keeps all of the important traditional elements that people love. Every room has a terrace balcony that peers into the forest with an open-air onsen.

There are many different types of rooms, and you can choose between a ‘mikado’ wooden personal onsen or a ‘mikage’ granite personal onsen like the one pictured above.

You can get the real Japanese ryokan and onsen experience at Kinnotake Tonosawa.

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

4. Hakone Suimeisou (箱根 水明荘)

Hakone Suimeisou is a ryokan located right in the heart of Hakone Yumoto. Being only a 2-minute walk from the station, they don’t offer car pick-up services. They have 5 large onsen in total, with 2 of those onsen being private, and able for rent for 50 minutes for 2,200 JPY.

In classic kaiseki style, your meals will be delivered to your room. If you have a large group, or a group spread out over more than one room, they have tables in a private banquet hall that you can request. If you want food from their specialty menu, they ask that you order it 3 days in advance. They also request that you email ahead of time if you have any dietary restrictions.

If you want the true Japanese onsen experience and have tattoos, you’re in luck! Hakone Suimeisou allows tattoos in the public onsen.

Hakone Suimeisou offers 2 types of rooms with private onsen, Japanese style, and Japanese-western style. The western-style room has 2 double beds and can sleep 5 people. They ask guests to check in any time between 2 P.M. and 6 P.M. because they need time to prepare kaiseki dinner which is included with your private onsen room.

All rooms are also facing the Hayakawa river, so guests get a scenic view of a the river and of Hakone mountain.

Check out Hakone Suimeisou for a great location with great views.

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

5. Fukuzumiro (福住楼)

Fukuzumiro is registered as a cultural property of Japan. Being established in 1890, it’s a historical 3 story wooden building with 17 different designed rooms. Because Fukuzumiro is so old, you can feel the historical elements. Not every room has a toilet and bathroom, but there is usually a shared one among a few rooms.

You can choose what type of kaiseki course you want to eat when you make a reservation, and they will be delivered to your room. They cater very well to vegans and vegetarians.

Keep in mind that the main appeal of this onsen is its traditional charm. If you’re not into traditional Japanese culture, this ryokan may not be for you.

There is only one room with a private onsen, Sakura #2 starts at 28,500 JPY a night per person for 4 people. This room is also the only room to include its own bathroom.

They have a 24-hour public onsen which is open to customers who have tattoos, and 4 private onsen available on a first-come-first-serve basis. The private onsen are included in the price of your stay and are not available for reservation. In classic Japanese style, you put an “in use” sign on the door when you enter, and take it off when you leave so that the next person will know if the private onsen is empty or in use.

Consider Fukuzumiro for a complete traditional Japanese ryokan experience.

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

6. Senkyoro (仙郷楼)

Senkyoro is a ryokan that lets its guests enjoy a relaxing view of nature in a more modern Japanese style. It has 39 rooms overall and a separate private annex called Oku no Kigi that has secluded private outdoor onsen in each room.

They pride themselves on their water that’s rich in calcium sulfur and flowing 100% from the source, purely from gravity. The Ph is 2.0, and there is nothing added to the water to dilute its natural pureness.

They have 2 private rental onsen, each are only usable for 45 minutes at a time. The onsen, Otome no yu and Kintoki no yu, are great options if you get a room that doesn’t have an onsen.

They are very accommodating with allergies and offer large amounts of delicious food with varying fresh tastes.

Pictured above is their annex. You can see how open it is to nature, while also being secluded and private. While these private rooms will go at a higher rate, the reviews have said that they are worth it, and create an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Senkyoro has many options for private onsen. In the main building, the rooms have an open-air onsen attached and also a private onsen for rent.

If sleeping on the floor is not your cup of tea, they have western style open-air onsen rooms too.

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

7. Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka (季の湯 雪月花)

Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka is a good option for families, couples, and even lone wolf travelers.

There are two restaurants to choose from, and they serve nabe, kaiseki, shabu-shabu, tempura, sushi, and other Japanese-style meals.

This hotel has a lot of different amenities. Things like saunas, 3 open private air onsen, and ice cream after a long soak make Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka a great choice for people who want to relax and relieve stress. You can rent yukata for free, enjoy a carbonated soak, or try one of the large public open-air onsen.

Each of the rooms come with their own private open-air onsen, so there’s no need to worry if your room has one attached or not. There are 4 types of rooms, each different sizes with different styles.

There are a lot of different amenities, like coffee machines, tea, candy, snacks, and food, so you never have to worry about getting hungry.

The rooms are wide and comfy with tatami floors, so even though the ryokan and amenities are modern, the rooms still have a traditional feel.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

8. Yutorelo An (ゆとれろ 庵)

Yutorelo An is a Japanese ryokan in Gora. They offer rooms with and without private onsen. They also have lots of various types of food with a menu that’s always changing with the season.

Some of the services they provide are rental yukata, foot baths surrounded by nature, and massage chairs with stunning views of the changing seasons.

The most alluring part of Yutorelo An is the 4 different private onsen that you can reserve for 45 minutes.

Of course, even if you don’t splurge on a room with a private onsen, be sure to reserve a time when you check in on your choice of onsen.

Some of the rooms boast views of the Sagamihara bay when the weather is clear.

There are several different types of rooms with private open-air onsen to choose from, and some rooms even have private half open-air onsen if being outside isn’t your thing.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

9. Hotel Okada (ホテル おかだ)

Don’t let the name fool you, Hotel Okada is not just a regular hotel. It’s a modern Japanese ryokan with 5 different hot springs sources that fill its onsen. They have expansive public indoor and outdoor onsen. The best part is the partner onsen next door, Yu no Sato, which is free for use by guests of Hotel Okada during their stay.

Of course, they provide high-quality, colorful kaiseki dinner. Depending on the type of room you book, the meal will change. In their more expensive suite rooms, kaiseki is delivered straight to your room. There are buffets and other kaiseki available for other rooms.

There is no rental onsen at Hotel Okada, but there is a rental onsen next door at Yu no Sato. You can reserve 45 minutes for 1,100 JPY.

Hotel Okada offers the option of booking a Japanese, Western, or Japanese-western style room.

Pictured above is the one of the common rooms, which boasts a private outdoor onsen and views of nature, perfect for relaxing.

The more expensive suites also have private outdoor onsen. Each room type is in a different hotel area, with different prices and different types of meals.

If you want your own customizable luxury experience, try Hotel Okada!

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

10. Uoshizu (うおしづ)

Uoshizu has a unique and nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. There is a night lounge from 8 to 11 P.M., a restaurant, and karaoke available for reservation.

They have a large public indoor and outdoor onsen, and 10 rooms available with private onsen. The open-air onsen has calming views of nature that are sure to leave you relaxed.

The dinner uses an abundance of high-grade seafood in combination with other amazing fresh ingredients. When booking your room, you can choose from several different meal plans. The awabi kaiseki has had great reviews.

Rooms with private onsen have water from different sources depending on the side of the ryokan they are on. The private outdoor onsen is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied.

All rooms are outfitted with futons and tatami so you can get a true Japanese ryokan experience after you’re done bathing.

Click below to play YouTube video↓↓

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

11. Hakone Pax Yoshino (箱根パークス吉野)

Hakone Pax Yoshino is the classic Japanese ryokan experience. They have everything that someone would want, including various recreational activities like table tennis, karaoke, massages, relaxations spaces, and delicious dinners.

If you’re looking for a family-centric place, they also have a kid’s corner and library.

They have a choice between buffet and kaiseki, both touting fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables from the west of Hakone mountain. If you plan on eating kaiseki dinner, they ask that you contact them a week in advance for dietary restrictions. They also mention how because of the heavy use of fish stock in their meals, vegetarian and vegan won’t be provided.

Pax Yoshino has 2 types of rooms that have private open-air onsen. If you have trouble sleeping on the floor, go for the Japanese/Western-style room.

The bathtubs are made out of Japanese cypress and all of the onsen in all of the rooms use hot spring water.

You can rent one of the many private onsen when you check-in for 3,000 JPY per hour.

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

12. Yamadaya (山田家)

Yamadaya is a great option for those who want the whole package or those who have large groups. They have Japanese-style rooms that can sleep 9 up to people. They have plenty of different open-air rental onsen.

One of the cool points of Yamadayu is the fact that they also have kaiseki breakfast. If you have a large group split across multiple rooms, they have a special banquet hall so that everyone can eat together.

They also will pick you up from the station, which is great if you’re traveling long distances or with heavy luggage.

The onsen for rent at Yamadaya has the best views, if you reserve the “Fuji, front side” onsen, you’ll be able to relax while soaking in awesome views of Mount Fuji.

They have one room with a private onsen that sleeps up to 9 people and starts at 20,000 JPY per night per person. With an amazing breakfast and dinner included, you can relax and take in the amazing views from your personal onsen on the top floor.

If you choose to get a room without a private onsen, be sure to reserve a rental onsen when you check-in.

Scroll right for more →→

↑ Go back to the table of contents

Conclusion

Did you enjoy reading up on luxury ryokan and hotels with private onsen?

Hakone is famous for its hot springs, but there are many other fun spots that you can visit in the town.

You can visit Hakone shrine, or grab a local specialty treat made from matcha or bean paste. Don’t forget to try an egg hardboiled from the water of the onsen!

Sightsee and enjoy the wonders of Hakone while relaxing in a private onsen!

Have you booked your SIM card or pocket WiFi for your trip to Japan yet?

In Japan, you’ll want to be connected without missing out on high speed data and internet!

By reserving online before departing, you can

• Lower your rental fees
• Avoid stock shortages at the airport

To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.

CUSTOMER’S VOICE

↑ Go back to the table of contents