Hakone Onsen Recommendation for Foreigner - English-Speaking Ryokan?

• This is a hotel in Hakone that has been welcoming foreign guests for a long time.

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• We recommend the Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita. The main building, built in Japan's Meiji era (1891), was made to welcome guests from overseas, and is a classic hotel where Helen Keller, Charlie Chaplin, John Lennon and Yoko Ono have all stayed. The building, which combines Japanese and Western styles, is like a museum, and is a wonderful hotel that you will never find anywhere else. They have had many guests from overseas for a long time, so they are used to dealing with them. If you want to experience a Japanese atmosphere, we recommend staying at Hana Goten.
  OnsenDaisuki's answer (Posted on:2025/1/28)

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• It was like staying in a museum!

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• I've only stayed at Fujiya Hotel once, but all the buildings were so beautiful that it felt like I was staying in a museum. I enjoyed my stay by strolling through the Japanese garden and looking around the area displaying the hotel's historical materials. It's amazing that Charlie Chaplin and Helen Keller stayed here too. During your stay, be sure to try the traditional Fujiya Hotel flavor, "Beef Curry," at Restaurant Cascade. They also cater for vegan meals, so please ask if you would like one.
  mariruri's answer (Posted on:2025/1/28)

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• A classic hotel you should stay at at least once if you go to Hakone

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• Fujiya Hotel is a member of the Japan Classic Hotel Association and was built in 1878, about 150 years ago, for foreigners vacationing in Hakone. As Japan's first full-scale resort hotel, it has traditional Japanese décor and furnishings, but the hotel restaurant also serves authentic French cuisine. There are also authentic Japanese and Western restaurants, a spa, and a museum on the development of Fujiya Hotel and Hakone, so just exploring the onsen(hot spring) is a fun experience. There is a large public bath, but the bathtubs in the rooms are filled with onsen(hot spring), so you can enjoy onsen(hot spring) without having to go to the large public bath!
  Shiratama's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 4)

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• There is ample English support, including a picture story show in English and the "Kakeyu Dance" lesson in English.

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• At Tenyu Hotel, a hot spring sommelier holds a "hot spring lecture" every day, teaching overseas guests in English how to bathe in a hot spring and proper etiquette. This is only available to guests staying at the hotel, so why not stay the night and participate? All rooms at Tenyu Hotel have their own open-air hot spring baths, and there is also a large public bath, so you can fully enjoy the hot springs just within the hotel, but there is also Yunessun nearby, so once you get used to the hot springs, why not spend the whole day at Yunessun soaking in the hot springs until your body is soaking up the heat?
  Shiratama's answer (Posted on:2025/1/28)

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• The hotel has staff who can handle daily conversation in English, Korean, and Chinese.

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• Just before COVID, there were definitely staff members who could hold everyday conversations. They probably still are. The baths at Tenyu are great. On the sixth floor, there is an infinity open-air bath that blends into the sky, with nothing blocking the view from the Hakone outer rim. There is also a dry sauna. The hotel is originally built on a hill, so the view from the open-air bath is Breathtaking view. The fifth floor open-air bath overlooks the waterfall, which is a refreshing view that allows you to soak in negative ions. There is also a dry sauna on this floor. On the first floor, there is a reclining Lying-down bath and a jacuzzi where you can relax. There is a kaiseki plan for meals, but I think the buffet plan is better. After listening to my friend's opinion, there are many delicious Japanese dishes, so there is a wide range of choices. The breakfast is a Japanese and Western Buffet, so it's the food I'm used to, so I think it's fine as it is.
  Shinryuken's answer (Posted on:2022/12/ 9)

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• This hotel has an open-air bath in every room, and of course, it's a natural onsen(hot spring)!

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• I highly recommend Kowakien Tenyu! They have staff on-site who can speak not only English, but also Chinese and Korean (I confirmed this through the hotel's official chat), so I think your friend can stay with peace of mind. Tenyu's hot onsen(hot spring) are amazing. First of all, every guest room has an open-air bath, and the bathtub is filled with natural onsen(hot spring). If you want to soak in a larger hot onsen(hot spring), there is a large public bath, but the large public bath on the 6th floor is an infinity onsen(hot spring), and the view is Breathtaking view! You can soak in onsen(hot spring) while feeling like you're floating in the sky.
  Japan Traveler 55's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 4)

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• Your Lakeside Base for Exploring Ashino-ko and Beyond

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• Located on the southern side of Lake Ashi, near the historic Hakone Checkpoint, Hakone Hotel is perfectly positioned as a starting point for exploring the Hakone area. There are plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants nearby, making it convenient for guests. Their official website confirms that they have English-speaking staff available, which is a huge plus. If your friend is traveling with a group, they even have rooms with four beds, accommodating up to four people comfortably. I highly recommend the terrace seating at their Lake View Lounge, where you can enjoy tea or light meals under an umbrella while gazing at Lake Ashi. They also offer a lounge exclusively for guests with complimentary coffee and soft drinks. And if your friend prefers to relax at the hotel, there are French and Teppanyaki restaurants, plus a bar, ensuring a fulfilling stay without even stepping outside.​​​​​​
  大福's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 4)

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• A quiet hotel with a beautiful view where you can also enjoy hot springs

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• This is a quiet lakeside hotel that boasts views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji. They are also perfectly equipped to accommodate foreign guests, and are sure to provide a pleasant service. There are two types of hot spring baths available: a semi-open-air bath overlooking Lake Ashi, and an indoor bath where you can gaze at the starry sky. No matter what season you stay at this highly recommended hotel, you can experience the expressive four seasons of Japan.
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/4/16)

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• A hot spring inn in Gora Onsen where foreigners can stay with peace of mind

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• This inn is in a great location, just a two-minute walk from Gora Station. As it is a guesthouse, people from many countries stay there, so even if you only speak English, you don't have to worry. Even though it is a guesthouse, the baths are of course hot springs. You can enjoy the luxurious waters 100% natural hot spring. There are also private rooms, and the spacious, calming Japanese-style rooms allow you to relax as if you were in Ryokan (Japanese inn). In the evening, we enjoyed some delicious food with a drink in the attached bar. There is also a clean kitchen, so you can make a delicious breakfast.
  くまたんさん's answer (Posted on:2019/11/13)

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• An international guesthouse where travelers from various countries gather

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• "HAKONE TENT" is a guesthouse with onsen(hot spring) that was renovated from an old Ryokan (Japanese inn). As guests come from all over the world, the staff are very accustomed to speaking English. Although it does not have a large public bath, you can enjoy the milky white natural hot onsen(hot spring) drawn directly from the source of Owakudani. In the evening, one of the highlights is chatting with guests from various countries over drinks at the bar counter in the shared space.
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 3)

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• A hotel with a long and venerable history where you can enjoy the famous hot springs known as "Togenuki Onsen"

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• The hotel has a large public bath and an open-air bath, and the water is plentiful and of good quality, so I went into the hot springs many times during my stay. Dinner is buffet style, and the famous Hakone Bakery is served for breakfast, both of which were delicious. I saw many foreigners in the hotel, but it seems that there are staff members on hand who can speak English.
  アキエリ's answer (Posted on:2019/3/ 9)

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• A well-equipped hotel that is accustomed to serving foreign guests

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• Hakone Yumoto Hotel is a large hotel, so they're probably used to dealing with foreign guests. English-speaking staff are often available at reception desk, so you can rest assured leaving your friends there. They also offer a wide range of onsen(hot spring) facilities, including a spacious public bath and an open-air bath. Dinner is served buffet-style, allowing you to choose from Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, so you can enjoy fresh seafood and vegetables from Kanagawa and Shizuoka to your heart's content.
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 3)

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• A Hotel Where You Can Enjoy an "Onsen Hopping" Experience On-Site

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• Yumoto Fujiya Hotel boasts an incredibly convenient location, just across the river from Hakone-Yumoto Station. This makes it easy for your friend to drop off their luggage and start exploring the area even before check-in. I stayed in a Japanese-Western style room with two others, and it was even more lovely after its recent renovation. Dinner at their French restaurant was superb – from the design of the dishes and tableware to the flavors themselves, everything was beautiful and delicious. They also have Chinese and Japanese restaurants. The natural hot spring, "Soun-no-Yu," offers numerous baths, giving you the feeling of "onsen hopping" within the hotel. The open-air bath surrounded by nature was simply the best. I checked with their official website's chat support, and it seems they have English and Chinese-speaking staff available.​​
  温泉大好き's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 4)

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• Onsen Ryokan Just a 2-Minute Walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station!

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• Hakone Suimeisou Hotel is incredibly close to Hakone-Yumoto Station, just a two-minute walk, yet it faces the Hayakawa River, offering a peaceful retreat away from the bustle of Hakone. Agoda's website indicates they offer English support, making it an excellent base for exploring the shopping street, shopping, and sightseeing due to its proximity to the station. The hotel features large public baths with scenic views, and they also have private reservable open-air baths, which is great for those who might be hesitant about public bathing. If your friend ends up traveling alone for part of the trip, they even have cost-effective single-occupancy rooms in a separate annex (room-only basis). While meals aren't included with these, there are plenty of restaurants near the station and a convenience store nearby. Right next door is "Naoyoshi," a famous restaurant specializing in "Yuba-don" (a dish with fresh tofu skin) made from freshly drawn yuba – a must-try Japanese delicacy!​​​​​​
  Poporo's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 4)

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• A Warm, Homey Guesthouse with Fluent English Speakers

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• Guesthouse Azito offers an incredibly welcoming and cozy atmosphere, much like a secret hideaway. The charm lies in its intimate and warm ambiance. The staff are fluent in English and greet you like family, so your friend won't have any language worries and can relax completely. There's a small bar by the entrance, perfect for enjoying a drink in the evening and chatting with guests from around the world.
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 3)

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• All Rooms with Private Open-Air Baths! Experience Authentic Japanese Hospitality

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• Operated by a major hotel chain, Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka is a slightly more luxurious onsen ryokan. Every single room comes with its own private open-air bath, which is perfect for those who might be uncomfortable with public baths or who have tattoos, allowing them to enjoy the hot springs at their own pace in privacy. For dinner, guests can choose from Japanese-style main dishes like premium Wagyu shabu-shabu or sushi. The hotel also offers rentals of colorful and charming yukata (casual kimono), which international guests particularly enjoy. You'll find Japanese hospitality woven into every detail of their service.
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 3)

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• A Must-See Mt. Fuji View from the Open-Air Bath!

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• I highly recommend Hotel Green Plaza Hakone. Their proudest feature is the breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji from their open-air bath, which is incredibly popular with international guests. Dinner is a buffet featuring Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, so your friend can enjoy fresh sushi and seasonal tempura, or find plenty of options if they're not yet accustomed to Japanese food. The hotel is also ideally located just a three-minute walk from Ubako Station on the Hakone Ropeway, making it a great base for sightseeing.​​​​​​
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 3)

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• A Luxurious Adult Retreat to Enjoy Natural Hot Springs

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• If the utmost hospitality is a priority, consider Bettei Koyoi in Hakone. With only 14 guest rooms, it's an exclusive and tranquil adult hideaway, perfect for an extraordinary stay. Guests can enjoy natural, free-flowing Gora hot springs in the open-air bath, and there's also a private open-air jacuzzi available for reservation, allowing your friend to fully immerse themselves in Hakone's nature in a private setting. Dinner features exquisitely presented creative Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, and breakfast includes freshly cooked rice and a variety of traditional Japanese side dishes – both promise memorable dining experiences in Japan.​​​​
  モモンガ's answer (Posted on:2025/7/ 3)

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