Hakone is one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo and many visitors choose to stay overnight in the region. A night or two in Hakone before returning to Tokyo is a great way to relax in the hot springs. But which area is the best to stay in? Which is better, Hakone-Yumoto or Gora or Lake Ashi?
No need to worry, as in this article, I will suggest some of the most popular areas within Hakone for tourists, the best areas for car-free travelers, and some of the best hotels/ryokans with private onsen.
Hakone is a mountainous town known, located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is known for its onsen hot springs, traditional Japanese inns (ryokan), Lake Ashinoko Boat Ride, Owakudani volcanic mountain, and beautiful views of Mount Fuji.
In addition to the onsen and natural attractions, Hakone has plenty of beautiful museums to explore. The most popular ones are the Hakone Open-Air Museum, POLA Museum of Art, Okada Museum of Art, and the Hakone Glass no Mori (Venetian Glass Museum).
The city is easily accessible from Tokyo by trains. It is only a 90 mins train ride on the Odakyu Electric Railway (Romancecar) from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
You can also take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa to Odawara, then change to Hakone Tozan Railway to get to Hakone-Yumoto Station. It is a one hour ride in total.
Where to stay in Hakone for first-time tourists?
I personally think Yumoto, Gora, and Lake Ashi are the best areas to stay in Hakone for tourists. Gora is located in the central part of the region, Yumoto is the transportation hub and the gateway to the region, while Lake Ashi (Moto-Hakone and Togendai) offers a peaceful lakeside atmosphere.
Additionally, you can choose to stay in the areas of Miyanoshita that have a historic vibe, Sengokuhara that gives you easy access to Mt. Fuji. You can consider staying in the neighboring city Odawara, which offers cheap accommodation options, while still being easy access to the Hakone region.
Both Gora and Yumoto have high concentrations of accommodations that have onsen, including both high-end ryokan or budget hostels. Gora is closer to the ropeway to access must-see attractions like Owakudani active volcanic crater and Lake Ashinoko. Gora is a 30 mins train ride from Yumoto.
Another fact is, Yumoto is at the foot of the Hakone mountain, Gora is high up on the mountain offering some valley views. Both are convenient locations for accessing the Hakone Loop. Most people choose to have dinner at their ryokan, so don’t worry if many restaurants shut early in the evening.
Where to stay in Hakone without a car?
Hakone-Yumoto and Gora, in my opinion, are the most popular areas in Hakone without a car. These are the major transportation hub and resort towns in the region, providing easy access to trains from Tokyo, and local public transport like trains, buses, ropeways, cable cars, and sightseeing boats.
Both Gora and Hakone-Yumoto has a train station and are well-located on the Hakone Loop, so you’ll have easy access to public transport. There are no need of having a car when staying in these areas.
You can read about the Hakone Loop here: One Day in Hakone Itinerary.
The best areas to stay in Hakone
1. Hakone-Yumoto Station Area, best area for first-timers
Hakone-Yumoto is one of the most popular towns to stay in the Hakone region. It is the gateway to the region, home to Hakone-Yumoto, which is the last stop of the train from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station to Hakone.
Is it also well-connected to the local Tozan Railway, making it a great base to explore the region, especially for car-free travelers. You can easily take a trip to The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Gora, the ropeway, Ōwakudani where you can try black egg, and Lake Ashi with its Hakone Shrine.
You can find a high concentration of hotels and ryokans along the banks of the Sukumo and Haya Rivers. There are also many tourist amenities like cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, and sweet shops.
You can consider taking a guided walking tour or a rickshaw tour that takes you around the town. There are several cultural attractions to explore like the Sōun-ji Temple and the Amidaji Temple.
While in Yumoto, you can check out Tenzan Onsen, which is a huge day trip hot spring facility located 10 mins by bus, 25 mins on foot from Hakone Yumoto Station. It is a tattoo-friendly onsen, featuring an onsite gift shop, restaurant, and cafe.
Here are my recommended hotels/ ryokans in Hakone-Yumoto (some with private onsen):
Masutomi Ryokan, this is one of the best ryokans in Hakone with a private onsen option. It is a good value for money hotel, conveniently located only 5 mins from Hakone Yumoto Station. The hotel has exceptional breakfast, fabulous dinner, free parking, and family rooms.
Hakone Suimeisou, a great ryokan located in a prime location, only 4 mins walk from Hakone Yumoto Station. It has public hot-spring baths, but you can also reserve a private hot-spring bath. The hotel offers Japanese dishes for breakfast and dinner.
Fukuzumiro, this is a 4-star authentic Japanese inn, located 15 mins walk from Hakone Yumoto Station. It has both public and private onsen and beautiful grounds. It has traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring and futon bedding. It also has kaiseki multi-course dinners and an onsite bar.
2. Gora Station Area
Gora is one of the best areas to stay in Hakone, especially for hot springs. Located on the hill side of the Hakone mountain, Gora has all the different spring waters to enjoy.
This village is centrally located in the middle of the Hakone region and is well-connected to local public transport, making it a convenient base to reach popular attractions. I highly recommend this area for travelers without a car. Easy access to train, bus, cable car, and ropeway.
You’ll be close to the rope way that can take you to Ōwakudani and Lake Ashi for a cruise. There are several museums and attractions in and around Gora like the French-style Gōra Park, Open-Air Museum (a must-see if you’re into sculptures), Picasso Pavilion, and Okada Museum of Art.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Gora:
Hakone Yutowa, this is a popular ryokan in Gora, located very close to Gora station in a flat walk. You can find a bus stop nearby too. They have a public onsen and a couple of private ones (limited to 30 min per group). There is also a foot bath outside on the terrace and great at night. According to many guests, they served delicious dinners and buffet-style breakfasts.
Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa, lovely 4-star hotel in a great location in Gora, close to several museums and sightseeing spots. It has 2 indoor hot-spring baths (not private though). The hotel provides free scheduled shuttle services to JR Odawara Station, and Gora Station. You can have a small view of Mt Fuji from some rooms.
Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika, a beautiful modern inn in Hakone with private onsen, located only a 5 mins walk from Nakagora Cable Car Station. It has natural hot spring baths, vending machines, free luggage storage spaces, and an onsite gift shop.
3. Miyanoshita Station Area
Miyanoshita, located between Hakone Yumoto and Gora, is a great place to stay in Hakone for a relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of other popular onsen towns. It is conveniently located on the Hakone Tozan Railway and is home to the historic Fujiya Hotel.
This area offers a nostalgic atmosphere with many antiques and shops lining its main street. Miyanoshita is one of Hakone’s Seven Hot Springs and the onsen here has high mineral content.
Here are my recommended hotels in Miyanoshita:
Fujiya Hotel, this is a 5-star historic ryokan, built in 1878, a short distance from Miyanoshita Station (the hotel offers a free shuttle from/to the station). It has Meiji Era architecture, stunning rooms, luxurious private onsen, and beautiful gardens. The onsen on the top floor of the new building has a nice view of the mountains. You can enjoy a delicious dinner at the Japanese restaurant Kickasso.
Onsen Guest House Tsutaya, a beautiful good value for money ryokan located in a geothermal area, so you can find various hot springs nearby to relax. The hotel also has an open-air bath and mountain views in Miyanoshita. It has both dorm rooms and private rooms.
Hakone Nanase formerly known as Manatei Hakone, is a great 4-star accommodation in Hakone, featuring both a public hot spring bath, and a private one. They served traditional sosaku kaiseki multi-course dinners in the dining area.
4. Ashi Lake Area
Staying near the shores of Lake Ashi, particularly around Togendai and Moto-Hakone, offer a peaceful atmosphere and easy access to the Lake Cruise.
Togendai is the northern shore of the lake and is connected to Hakone Loop by the ropeway, while Moto-Hakone is on the south shore and is connected to Hakone-Yumoto by the local bus.
One of the most famous attractions around the lake is the Hakone Shrine, a beautiful shrine with its famous Torii Gate in the water. In the nearby area, you can take a look at theOnshi Hakone Park and the Checkpoint Museum.
Here are my recommended hotels in Lake Ashi area:
Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori, popular accommodation right next to the Togendai port at Lake Ashi, featuring rooms with private onsen. They have an amazing buffet dinner and breakfast. Great location for easy access to the sightseeing boat tour.
Rohen Resort&Lounge Hakone, a great hotel in the southern part of Lake Ashi, close to Hakone Shrine, and Hakone Checkpoint. Great base if you have a car, or you can use the Hakone Free pass for public transport and exploration.
Hananoyado Fukuya, 4-star accommodation in the Moto-Hakone area, close to several major attractions in Lake Ashi like the Narukawa Museum and Hakone Shrine. Easy access to Motohakone-ko Tozan bus stop and the Motohakone pier.
5. Sengokuhara Area
Sengokuhara is the highland area of the Hakone region, and is a great place to visit several interesting museums and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking Mt. Kintoki. This area also has easy access to Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi.
Major points of interest in Sengokuhara include Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields, Hakone “Rene Lalique” Museum, Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, and Pola Museum of Art.
This area is served by local buses, so I think it is best suited for those who have a car. You can do it without a vehicle, but you need to book accommodations close to the bus lines.
Here are some of my recommended places to stay in Sengokuhara:
Hakone Onsen Yuyado Yamanoshou, a great ryokan near the Botanical Garden of Wetlands, pampa grass fields, Lalique Museum, and Venetian Glass Museum. You can find buses and convenience stores nearby. Just be mindful that the location is a bit remote compared to other popular areas in Hakone.
Hakone Sengokuhara Prince Hotel, 4-star hotel in Sengokuhara, offering stunning views of the Hakone Mountains. Close to several local attractions. Rooms are spacious and comfortable.
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In general, I would recommend staying at Yumoto, Gora, and Lake Ashi for first-timers and those who want easy access to many tourist amenities. The other areas have more remote locations and offer a quieter atmosphere.
There you have it, the most popular towns where tourists choose to stay in Hakone. Have you found out the areas you want to stay in? Do you want accommodations with a private onsen? Let me know in the comment box below, I’d love to read it.