Kitanokaze Saryo (Adult Only)
8,6/10 Excellent - Based on 30 reviews
Kitanokaze Saryo is an adult-only ryokan set in the Sengokuhara highlands of Hakone, Kanagawa, offering a small, intimate retreat across ten individually styled guest rooms. Housed around a sukiya-style main building, the property combines contemporary Japanese design with traditional materials and quiet circulation, and most rooms include their own open-air hot spring baths or scenic tubs; a few suites add a private sauna. The property markets itself as a ryokan with private onsen in Hakone, where guests can step directly from a tatami-floored sitting area into a mineral-rich outdoor bath.
Meals follow a kaiseki-ryori approach that highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from Hakone and Hokkaido, presented course by course in private dining spaces to preserve privacy and pace. On-site amenities include a reservable private open-air bath and a bedrock-style communal rental bath, an esthetic treatment room, a small lounge with complimentary drinks and reading material, and basic guest conveniences such as Wi‑Fi and free parking. Service routines emphasize discreet hospitality and room-by-room presentation, with staff arranging timing for dinner and any spa reservations.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kitanokaze Saryo (Adult Only)
Positive Reviews
Excellent food and variety
Multiple guests praised the meals (breakfast and dinner) as delicious and abundant, with freshly cooked rice and a wide selection that many described as a highlight of their stay.
Attentive, friendly staff
Several reviews mention warm, helpful and prompt service from staff (including singled-out smiles and fast responses at check-in), contributing strongly to guest satisfaction.
Peaceful, private atmosphere
Guests appreciated the secluded, quiet property and privacy around the onsen and spa areas, describing the stay as relaxing and tranquil.
Private open-air baths and comfortable rooms
Many reviewers noted the in-room open-air baths and terraces as very pleasant, with spacious rooms, large beds and room features (e.g. massage chairs) enhancing comfort.
Thoughtful amenities and small touches
Guests appreciated conveniences such as drinks available in-room/hallway (free fridge items), timely room preparation, flexible checkout (mentioned), and attentive gestures like delivering a requested newspaper.
Negative Reviews
Perceived poor value / high price
Some guests felt the price was disproportionate to the experience—one guest described the stay as extremely expensive and not worth the cost for what was received.
Transport and access can be inconvenient
Multiple reviews note that getting to the property can require a long bus ride (about 50 minutes from the station) or that taxis can be hard to secure, which may be a drawback especially with luggage.
Inconsistent dining quality for some guests
While many loved the food, a few reviewers were disappointed—complaints include bland or overly experimental dinner dishes and specific issues like undercooked rice.
Aging facilities and room condition issues
A number of guests mentioned that some rooms or facilities appeared old or were not well maintained, and amenities did not always match expectations for the price paid.
Service and comfort inconsistencies
A few guests reported problems such as disappointing in-room massages, air-conditioning that didn’t cool properly (leading to open windows and mosquito issues), limited yukata sizes, and a limited selection of complimentary beverages for non-drinkers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The property is adults-only; children aged 12 and under are not permitted to stay.
There are 10 rooms in the ryokan; many suites accommodate up to four guests (two beds plus up to two futons), but please confirm each room’s maximum occupancy when booking.
Yes; most rooms include private open-air (rotenburo) baths and a few rooms have indoor scenic baths for exclusive in-room use.
In addition to in-room baths, the property offers a bookable private/rental bath and esthetic services that can be reserved for a limited time slot.
The ryokan does not advertise a regular airport shuttle; it is best reached by highway bus from Shinjuku or Haneda to Sengokuhara and by local bus or taxi, with the nearest bus stop a short (about 2-minute) walk away.
Typical routes are Odakyu Romancecar or train to Hakone-Yumoto then a local bus to Sengokuhara, or direct highway buses from Shinjuku/Haneda to Sengokuhara; total travel time from central Tokyo is roughly 1.5 hours depending on connections.
Japanese is the primary language; staff can assist in basic English but guests may find a translation app helpful for detailed requests.
Dinner is served kaiseki-style using seasonal ingredients and breakfast is mainly Japanese; meals are typically served in private dining spaces or arranged per room type.
Pets are not accepted on site (a nearby kennel is available within walking distance); whole-property privatization is not listed and must be requested directly to the property for group inquiries; the nearest supermarkets and convenience stores are located in central Hakone or Hakone-Yumoto—ask the front desk for directions.
Standard check-in is 15:00 and check-out is 12:00; please notify the property if you will arrive after 19:00, as dinner cannot be provided for late arrivals.