Lalaca

Everything was spectacular. When I walked in, I was floored by the view in the lobby and in our rooms. Overlooking a mountain of trees, the room was beautifully Japanese, and looked even better in person than in the pictures. The meals were amazing, beautifully balanced, and huge! Staff had english speakers which made it easier to communicate. And of course, the onsen... absolutely lovely. We took advantage of both the private and public onsen and it was so relaxing, it was really quite the perfect Hakone experience. And oh yeah, the location is wonderful. I booked this ryokan specifically for the location. Just a few minutes walk and on the 'loop' it's the perfect location for a Hakone trip. As others said, I would definitely take the recommendation of the ryokan and reviewers of getting off at the cable car to avoid the hill. :)

A smaller boutique type hotel with Ryokan Experience. Food service included is amazing. Dinner (which included grilled fish and waygu shabu shabu) and Breakfast were extraordinary affairs. Very clean. Private onsen offered (1/2 hr time slots that you need to sign up for) was amazing for a newbie. Easy to get to by train from Tokyo. Need to make a few transfers. The final trains to the hotel was really neat. Very small and quaint. Need to take a cable car up the mountain to the first stop and then walk a few hundred meters, If you take the same cable car up to the final stop, it takes to you to the rope car that goes up the mountain and across the valley to the lake. Generally an easy walk with rolling luggage to get to. We had an amazing view of the mountainside. Beds were comfortable. A very quiet facility. Value wise, I think it was mostly in the food and private onsen experience.

The staff were kind and accommodating. Dinner was a 7-course feast, inclusive of shabu-shabu beef that was of the highest quality, and breakfast was extremely filling. Loved playing dress-up in beautiful yukatas and tried on several colors. Guests get to book a 30-min private outdoor onsen time at check-in, and the indoor public single-gender onsen was open for most of the day. Chair and foot massagers were a plus and we tried out every one of them. The place is family-owned, and has a pleasant 70s vibe, although some furniture could be upgraded. The owners speak very good English. Location can't be beat - right by the Gora stop on the train/cable car.

Our experience was fantastic. It was our first time trying out onsens and we both loved it. The fact that every room can rent the family onsen for half an hour every night makes it great for shy first timers lol. The food was DELICIOUS. We only wished we knew how abundant it would be, so we would have arrived hungrier the first night (they really feed you a lot!). The staff were all so friendly, and helpful. They gave us a ride to the train station after our check out when it was pouring rain ♡ The location is incredible!

Beautiful ryokan nestled in the mountains, provides a traditional experience Exceptional service and friendly staff Lovely onsen with indoor and outdoor baths, and appreciated the optional private onsen time Amazing food for both dinner and breakfast, and very accommodating of dietary restrictions (vegetarian) Lovely space with gorgeous views