Ajisai Onsen Ryokan

“Hakone: Ajisai Onsen Ryokan - total relaxation & amazing food!”

First, special thank you to Ruby and Namu for the exceptional reception and service! After 4 days in Tokyo, stayed here Xmas eve and day. Total relaxation and quiet, multiple visits to the spa before and after Hakone sightseeing. Definitely book the breakfast and dinner options, menu and food ar… more

First, special thank you to Ruby and Namu for the exceptional reception and service! After 4 days in Tokyo, stayed here Xmas eve and day. Total relaxation and quiet, multiple visits to the spa before and after Hakone sightseeing. Definitely book the breakfast and dinner options, menu and food are amazing. Will need a cab to/from Gora station, but well worth the peace and quiet away from town.

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“Great Ryokan with private onset!”

Wonderful! Best meal of our trip and relaxing private onsens. Comfortable beds and strong wifi. We would definitely return. Ajisai is a ryokan or traditional Japanese inn tatami-matted rooms, futons and private onsens or natural hot springs. Upon making a reservation, the hotel sent us a detailed e… more

Wonderful! Best meal of our trip and relaxing private onsens. Comfortable beds and strong wifi. We would definitely return. Ajisai is a ryokan or traditional Japanese inn tatami-matted rooms, futons and private onsens or natural hot springs. Upon making a reservation, the hotel sent us a detailed email with directions and advice to drop our luggage on our arrival before check in and make onsen reservations. The managers/owners are lovely and very helpful. When you arrive, you can feel the peaceful atmosphere. Inside you do need to remove your shoes and leave them in cubbies in the main lobby – slides are available in various sizes. Then you select a yukata or light cotton robe in a variety of colors and designs. The rooms are located on the 2nd floor. Our family studio had a queen and a twin bed raised with 2 extra futons in the closet. The other room choices: Japanese style room and deluxe family suite only have futons on the tatami-matted rooms. The rooms are spacious with a traditional table and seats. There are bathrooms in the rooms but no showers – showers are part of the private onsens so you should reserve one for the morning. We opted to add the “half board” which includes kaiseki or a multi-course dinner and your choice of Japanese or Western breakfast. The dinner was an entire experience – just as you finish a course, another one is served. Our favorite course was the cook your own beef on your own mini cooking device – it was both fun and delicious. There were 3 choices of private onsens: indoor and outdoor, indoor with sauna, or outdoor. They were a very relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Hakone is challenging to get to/from. We took the RomanceCar from Tokyo (you’ll need 2 train tickets – one for the train and specially booked one for the RomanceCar). Then Hakone Tozan Railway, part of the Hakone Free Pass, from Hakone Yumoto to Gora is a scenic ride. To leave, we had the ryokan reserve a taxi to take us to the Odawara Station – it was well worth the cost to save the time ¥7000 - ¥9000 or USD $50-$60. You will love the serenity and overall experience of Ajisai Onsen Ryokan!

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“Great private onsens”

Amongst the very expensive accommodation in Hakone this is great value. We had family room for the two of which has queen size comfy western bed, single bed and then atami mats for anyone else. Room includes toilet, basin, but not shower. Book 45 min sessions in 1 of the 3 private onsens which are… more

Amongst the very expensive accommodation in Hakone this is great value. We had family room for the two of which has queen size comfy western bed, single bed and then atami mats for anyone else. Room includes toilet, basin, but not shower. Book 45 min sessions in 1 of the 3 private onsens which are fabulous. Opportunity to book two sessions at night and one in the morning. Each has showers where you clean yourself, (soap and shampoo etc provided), rinse off and then relax in onsens. Of the three the two with outside onsens were our favourites. Very classy, traditional, but very easy for non-japanese with everything very obvious from removing your shoes as you arrive, to toilet sandals (who knew they were a thing), to the guidance for the onsens. For the dinner (88,000 yen each) need to book two days in advance (which we didn’t). Definitely take a taxi from Gora station (600 yen) as it is a decent walk uphill. Not the place for you if you have bad knees/mobility issues, but otherwise for the private onsen experience this was fabulous. To get back to Gora need to walk for 12 minutes but mostly downhill. For easier walk back take the cable car up to second stop after Gora and walk from there. Recommend two nights and definitely get the Hakone free pass. wifi was great.

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