Hakone Setsugetsuka

“Excellent resort, but with a few quirks Americans should be aware of”

In many ways, this was an excellent resort. Great location in Gora, the heart of the Hakone District, right next to Gora Station, and a quick walk to the excellent open air museum, Gore brewery, ends Gyoza center. You’re also really close to the Kabel car that can take you up to the amazing Hakone … more

In many ways, this was an excellent resort. Great location in Gora, the heart of the Hakone District, right next to Gora Station, and a quick walk to the excellent open air museum, Gore brewery, ends Gyoza center. You’re also really close to the Kabel car that can take you up to the amazing Hakone ropeway. The rooms are very nice, in a traditional Japanese Ryokan style. There were also various traditional Japanese Onzen which are hot spring communal bathing experiences. The views are incredible! And I especially liked the hot spring tub that we had on our patio. I found it very charming that, while staying at the hotel, unless you were going out, you were directed to wear the robes and traditional sandals throughout the resort. Staying at the hotel also includes breakfast and dinner, both of which are very traditional Japanese food, served over multiple multiple multiple multiple courses. After staying here for three nights, I couldn’t eat anything more, even though the food was generally good, because there was just so much of it and I felt bad that there was so much food waste. The staff was very helpful, but their English is not great (more of me problem than a them problem, but still). While it is good that this hotel is right at the train station, this does mean the trains are running all day and night, including a railroad crossing that dings very often. This makes it somewhat difficult to sleep in. Also, our room faced the eastern sun, and since there’s only the paper sliding doors between us and the outdoors, the morning sun came in around 5:30 in the morning every morning.

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“A authentic japan onsen in good location”

Overall a good experience for a traditional ryokan with onsens. They had private onsens too but can only fit 2 people and as you can't book and there is no time limit on the private 3 they have, we waited just over an hour as a family of 4 to find out you can only fit 2 adults max in them so the k… more

Overall a good experience for a traditional ryokan with onsens. They had private onsens too but can only fit 2 people and as you can't book and there is no time limit on the private 3 they have, we waited just over an hour as a family of 4 to find out you can only fit 2 adults max in them so the kids went to the public onsen. I then also joined the public onsen by myself (as the only female in the group) which was magical and really glad I experienced it. The hotel and rooms are tired but it is an old hotel and the staff are amazing with lots of complimentary extras. Everyone wears Kimono (supplied). Our 7 course Keisei dinner was included but none of us overly enjoyed the food as very heavy fish (raw mostly) but wasn't our thing but glad we tried it. A room was spacious and had very comfortable futons and easily fitted 4 of us (x2 adult teens). Overall a great option for a true authentic experience. Oh and an amazing Gyoza (dumplings) place just 5min walk to the right of the hotel (Away from the main town towards the open air museum)

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“Good option, but dont expect that exclusivity feeling of ryokans”

The good: clean and functional rooms, with good ammenities. Friendly staff and SUPERB onsen (several clean pools). The bad (can get better): the kaiseki meals were good, but not splendid. And the main reason for 3 stars is the fact that there are TOO MANY rooms. Lines for meals and loss of exclus… more

The good: clean and functional rooms, with good ammenities. Friendly staff and SUPERB onsen (several clean pools). The bad (can get better): the kaiseki meals were good, but not splendid. And the main reason for 3 stars is the fact that there are TOO MANY rooms. Lines for meals and loss of exclusivity feelng that is so important for the ryokan experience.

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