Hakuunsou
9/10 Exceptional - Based on 70 reviews
Hakuunsou occupies a wooded riverbank in Yugawara, Kanagawa, and centers on hot-spring bathing and seasonal kaiseki cuisine. The property offers 17 guest rooms, including detached hanare villas and varied room types; about ten rooms feature private open-air onsen, while higher-grade hanare suites include hinoki baths and a sauna. The riverside layout and small scale produce a focused ryokan with private onsen in Kanagawa that blends traditional tatami spaces with modern comfort.
Bathing facilities include a reservable suite spa with a jacuzzi fed from the spring (short private sessions, typically a complimentary 40-minute allocation per group), a main public bath whose men’s and women’s areas are alternated overnight, and multiple in-room open-air onsen drawing directly from the local source. Many balconies face the Chitose River so baths are often paired with stream sound and forest views; the mix of private in-room baths, a reservable spa and a communal thermal bath makes the property an easy choice for guests seeking a ryokan with onsen in Kanagawa.
Dining centers on multi-course kaiseki that highlights Sagami Bay seafood and local produce, served in a light-filled dining room; breakfast features rice cooked in an earthenware pot and regional side dishes, and menus rotate with the seasons to showcase local catches and vegetables. On-site amenities include two restaurants, free Wi‑Fi, complimentary parking and attentive staff who manage arrival and in-house reservations. The property lies a short taxi ride from the local station and provides straightforward access to nearby parks, plum orchards and the coast for day excursions.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hakuunsou
Positive Reviews
Peaceful, scenic location
Multiple guests praised the ryokan’s tranquil setting surrounded by forest and a river; rooms and terraces offer great views and a relaxing atmosphere ideal for a getaway.
High-quality food
Breakfasts and kaiseki dinners were repeatedly described as delicious, well‑presented and using seasonal ingredients; several reviewers called the meals a highlight.
Excellent bathing experience (private and public onsen)
Reviewers appreciated spacious in‑room private onsen and the public baths. Many described soaking in the hot springs as a memorable, restorative part of the stay.
Attentive, friendly staff and service
Staff were frequently noted as welcoming, accommodating and caring; reviewers highlighted helpful check‑in, thoughtful service and staff going beyond standard procedures.
Clean, comfortable rooms with good amenities
Guests reported spacious, tidy rooms with minimalist, well‑equipped amenities (some rooms named after authors), comfortable furnishings and pleasant extras such as complimentary drinks in the room.
Negative Reviews
Perceived poor value / high price
Several guests felt the stay was expensive and for some the price did not match expectations; a few recommended it as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime treat but questioned overall value.
Communication and English availability
A number of reviews mentioned limited English ability among staff and difficulty contacting the ryokan before arrival (calls and emails unanswered), causing frustration when arranging transfers or confirming bookings.
Signs of aging / maintenance issues
Some guests reported that parts of the property need renovation (worn elements in rooms, weather‑damaged terrace floor, broken terrace wooden floor that felt unsafe).
Restaurant service and cleanliness concerns (isolated reports)
One reviewer described poor service at dinner (staff unfamiliar with the menu, intrusive behaviour while reading menus) and splashes from table cooking causing marks on seats and walls; others were positive about food but this issue was noted once.
Limited on‑site convenience and access
Several guests mentioned no vending machines or limited shop/drink choices, lack of an evening public lounge/snack area, and the remote location requiring a taxi (additional cost) or reliance on shuttle times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacities vary: many rooms are for two, there are family and suite options that sleep up to six, and the property has 17 guest rooms including separate villas with private baths.
Yes — the ryokan offers a public onsen, outdoor baths and a reservable private suite spa (allocated in time slots), and several room types include private open-air hot spring baths.
The property does not list a regular shuttle or airport transfer; most guests travel to Yugawara Station and take a taxi to the ryokan.
The nearest major airport is Tokyo Haneda; from there you can take trains toward Yugawara Station and continue by taxi or local transport.
The website and materials are available in English; staff are primarily Japanese and can assist in English to varying degrees — contact the ryokan ahead for specific language needs.
Expect a traditional ryokan stay with tatami rooms or Western beds, seasonal kaiseki dinners featuring local seafood and produce, and meals served in the ryokan dining areas.
Nearby highlights include Manyo Park, Makuyama (Yugawara Plum Orchard), the Yugawara Art Museum, and day-trip destinations in Hakone such as Hakone-Yumoto and Lake Ashi.
Take a taxi from Yugawara Station (around a 10-minute ride); there are bus options but the walk from the nearest stop involves a steep uphill section.
Standard check-in hours are generally 15:00–17:00 (some rates permit later arrivals) and check-out is by 11:00, with earlier departures accepted from 08:00.
Pets are not permitted at the ryokan; there are local shops and bakeries in Yugawara town for groceries and supplies a short drive away.