Yutorelo-an
7,9/10 Very good - Based on 735 reviews
Yutorelo-an sits quietly on the wooded slopes of Gora in Hakone, offering a calm base for exploring nearby museums, parks and mountain views. The property is set around a planted garden and terraces where seasonal foliage frames the guest rooms; public transport access is straightforward with a short walk from the local cable-car stop and an on-property shuttle connecting to the main station. The hotel presents a blend of modern comforts and traditional Japanese room types, from compact tatami rooms to larger family suites designed for multi-night stays and group travel.
The bathing facilities are a defining feature: several communal indoor and outdoor baths are supplied by Hakone hot spring sources, while multiple reservable, private open-air baths are available for hour-long use so guests can soak undisturbed. Public bathing areas are separated by gender and maintained with source-flowing water, and a shallow outdoor foot bath and relaxation area with massage chairs extend the spa offer. For travellers specifically seeking an intimate bathing experience, this property functions as a ryokan with private onsen in Hakone, with a clear emphasis on privacy and seasonal outlooks from each bathing terrace.
Guest rooms are arranged to maximise garden or mountain views, and select accommodation types include in-room open-air baths or en-suite bathing tubs that mirror the onsen water quality. Meals follow a seasonal Japanese course format that highlights local produce and considered presentation; dinner is typically an arranged multi-course menu while breakfast offers a traditional set. Practical amenities include an on-site restaurant, luggage storage, free parking and multilingual reception; the combination of room options, reservable baths and measured service defines its offer as a ryokan with onsen in Kanagawa.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yutorelo-an
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen facilities
Multiple guests praised the baths — both the public onsen and the option to reserve private outdoor baths — describing them as superb, relaxing and a highlight of the stay.
High-quality, generous meals
Many reviews highlight the dinner and breakfast as delicious, creative and abundant; several describe the dining experience as a memorable, Michelin-level meal that guests enjoyed.
Helpful and attentive staff
Staff are frequently described as kind, attentive and solution-oriented (helping with transport, lost items, and guest needs), enhancing the overall experience.
Peaceful, scenic location
Guests appreciated the ryokan’s tranquil natural setting and convenient access to the cable car and local stations; the location is repeatedly called perfect for relaxation and disconnection.
Authentic traditional experience and amenities
The hotel offers a very Japanese ryokan experience — tatami/futon rooms, yukata, wooden tubs on balconies, complimentary drinks, and massage chairs — which many reviewers found charming and well-equipped.
Negative Reviews
Dining availability and strict booking rules
Several guests reported that dinner must be reserved well in advance (some were refused when arriving late) and there is limited or no onsite dining outside set meal services, making it difficult for late arrivals.
Language and communication issues
Some guests said staff had limited English, causing problems with special requests (e.g., dietary changes) and general communication unless using a translator.
Room comfort and bed setup
A number of reviews mentioned discomfort with the sleeping arrangements — very firm or uncomfortable futons, needing to make the bed on arrival, or rooms feeling a bit old-fashioned.
Noise, light and insulation concerns
Problems reported include noisy in-room fridges, poor soundproofing toward corridors/outside, and shoji-style panels that let early morning light wake guests.
Perceived value and limited nearby options
Multiple reviewers felt the price was high for the level of comfort or upkeep in some rooms and noted a lack of nearby restaurants, which made the strict dining policies more inconvenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room sizes vary by type and accommodate between 2 and 6 guests; specific capacities are shown on each room description when booking and extra beds are generally not available.
Yes — there is a public onsen and reservable private baths; public bath hours are roughly 15:00–24:00 and 06:00–09:30, and private-bath reservations are offered in limited time blocks.
A complimentary shuttle runs between Gora Station and the ryokan (pickups around 15:00–18:00 at roughly every 20 minutes), with scheduled return departures in the morning; other times are served by taxi.
The ryokan sits steps from the Hakone Tozan Cable Car line at Nakagora/Naka-Gōra (a short 2–5 minute walk from the cable car stop).
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00; members booking via the official site may have an option to extend check-out to 11:00 and late-arrival arrangements can be made with reception.
Dinner is a seasonal multi-course Japanese (kaiseki) meal and breakfast is a traditional Japanese set; many rates include dinner and breakfast, and meal plans are indicated at booking.
You can reserve private onsen baths for short time slots, but full-property privatization is not offered; pets are not permitted on the property.
Gora’s main area with convenience stores and small shops is within walking distance (about a 10-minute walk downhill), while the ryokan provides basic lobby services for drinks and light needs.
The ryokan is well placed for the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Owakudani and Lake Ashi; the nearby cable car and local buses make these sites easy to reach.
Yes — the ryokan offers tatami rooms, yukata for guests and traditional meals for an authentic stay, and staff can assist in English for common guest needs.