Hakone, One of Japan’s most popular Onsen resorts
Hakone is an amazing destination for a 2-day-trip away from Tokyo, while you are there why not enjoy a dip at one of the onsen (hot springs) within Hakone’s forests. Hakone Yuryo near Yumoto offers a heart-warming welcome, rustic charm and hospitality to give you some truly relaxing moments.
The Onsen Baths – Hakone Yuryo
The hot springs at the Hakone onsen Yuryo offers a large communal bath, named “Honden Yurakuan Oyu”, as well as 19 private open-air baths, “Hanare Yuya Kaden.” The onsen complex even has sauna, as well as massage facilities, offering complete relaxation care for your mental and physical health. Although you can just drop by for the communal bath, an advance reservation should be made for the private baths by telephone (0460-85-8411).
Price list – Hakone Yuryo
Communal onsen (daily fee)
– Adults (junior high school age or older) 1,400 yen
– Children (6-12 yrs.) 700 yen
Private onsen (hourly fee)
– Type 1 (7 rooms) features a modern round bath for 2 persons without a view, 4,000yen
– Type 2 (8 rooms) has a large bath for 4 persons and offers a nice view over the valley, 4,000yen
– Type 3 (4 rooms) is a larger bath for 4 persons featuring a stunning view, 6,000yen
Before paying Hakone Yuryo a visit as a family there exists one general rule you should take into consideration, being that the baths do not allow children under age 5.
For the hot springs communal baths there are some additional rules:
– While they are complimentary for the private baths, you have to either bring your own towel or buy one at the communal bath’s reception area.
– People with tattoos or who are intoxicated will be refused entry into onsen.
– Bathing costumes are prohibited.
– Including children aged eight years or older, mixed bathing is not allowed.
– Photography or video is absolutely forbidden within the onsen to ensure privacy for all guests.
Cooling down in great ambiance
At the onsen complex’ center lies a courtyard with a traditional Japanese pavilion where many guests take a moment to sit down and enjoy the good weather. Here you will also find a beverage vending machine for refreshing yourself after hopping outside the hot springs.
The communal bath also has an inside resting area with a special women-only section called the Kyusokubo. The private baths, however, have their own resting room with a small yet well-supplied mini refrigerator. Since the hot springs are, well, hot, it is advisable to leave the baths now and then. While the private resting rooms are great for a family or friends, the Kyusokubo is a great place for interacting with other guests.
Time to enjoy some delicious irori cuisine
When your day of onsen relaxation is coming to an end, why not enjoy some delicious cuisine? Hakone Yuryo’s restaurant offers authentic hearth-cooked (irori) cuisine cooked with great care over a charcoal fired grill or on skewers. Traditionally, these hearths were sunken into the floor, and the restaurant has recreated this rustic ambiance by incorporating the hearths into the tabletop. Such a delicious meal surely is a great conclusion of any onsen visit!
Access
Hakone Yuryo is located near Hakone-Yumoto Station which can easily be accessed by taking a 1,5-2 hour train ride operated by Odakyu Railway from Shinjuku Station. The complex offers a free shuttle bus leaving from the station every 10-15 minutes between 9:00 and 19:55 during weekdays or 9:00 and 20:55 during the weekends or on public holidays.
Official Site: here
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