Hakone Onsen Recommendation for Foreigner - English-Speaking Ryokan?

Question

I'm planning to take a foreign friend to Hakone Onsen, but I'll need to leave partway through due to other commitments. Could anyone recommend a reliable onsen ryokan (Japanese inn with hot springs) in the Hakone area where English is spoken, so my friend will feel comfortable and well-taken care of after I leave? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

OnsenDaisuki · Accepted Answer

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.

Shiratama · Answer

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?

Daifuku · Answer

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.

Kumatan · Answer

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.

Akieri · Answer

The hotel has a large public bath and open-air bath, and the water is plentiful and of good quality, so I went into hot spring 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.

I love hot springs · Answer

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.

Hakone Onsen Recommendation for Foreigner - English-Speaking Ryokan?

Fujiya Hotel

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

Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU

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

Hakone Hotel

Your Lakeside Base for Exploring Ashino-ko and Beyond

4. Onsen Guest House HAKONE TENT

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

5. Hakone Yumoto Hotel

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

6. Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

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

7. Hakone Suimeisou Hotel

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

8. Guesthouse Azito

A Warm, Homey Guesthouse with Fluent English Speakers

9. Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka

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

10. Hotel Green Plaza Hakone

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

11. Bettei Koyoi (Adult Only)

A Luxurious Adult Retreat to Enjoy Natural Hot Springs