Hakone, a mountainous town near Tokyo, is famous for its hot springs and traditional inns known as ryokan. Staying in a ryokan offers a quintessential Japanese experience: tatami-matted rooms, yukata robes, kaiseki multi-course dinners, and private or public onsen baths. Budgets vary from mid-range options like Ichinoyu Honkan, a 380-year-old cultural heritage inn overlooking the Hayakawa River, to luxury stays such as Gora Kadan, a Relais & Chateaux property with an indoor pool and spa. Popular districts include Gora, with access to museums and parks, Tonosawa for river views, and Lake Ashinoko for Mt. Fuji vistas. Many ryokans offer free parking and shuttle services from nearby stations.
Top-rated ryokans include The Fujiya Hotel, a Meiji-era landmark with multiple pools and a French restaurant, and Yoshimatsu, which offers Sukiya-style architecture and panoramic Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi views from its outdoor hot spring. For adults-only relaxation, consider Kinnotake Tonosawa with private open-air baths and mountain scenery. Hotel Okada provides indoor and outdoor hot springs and a sauna, while Tensui Saryo features guest rooms with private open-air baths and views of Hakone's mountains. Book in advance, as many ryokans operate on half-board plans (dinner and breakfast included).