Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara
9,4/10 Exceptional - Based on 165 reviews
Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara sits in the Sengokuhara hills of Hakone and presents a contemporary take on the traditional ryokan experience. Opened in late 2022 as a compact property with around forty-four rooms, it blends timber and tatami accents with modern comfort: standard and superior guest rooms, family-friendly suites, and a selection of rooms fitted with their own hinoki (cypress) open-air baths. The design vocabulary emphasizes natural materials and garden sightlines, creating a calm base for exploring the surrounding landscapes and museums — a straightforward choice for travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen Kanagawa.
The property’s bathing facilities combine communal and in-room options: public indoor baths and outdoor open-air baths are complemented by sauna and cold-plunge features, while multiple room types offer private outdoor tubs for solitary bathing. Meal service follows a seasonal, locally focused approach with evening meals presented in a multi-course format and a lighter Asian-style breakfast, and all guest rooms include contemporary conveniences such as tea and coffee facilities, complimentary Wi‑Fi and non-smoking layouts. Practical amenities include free on-site parking, an EV charger and arrangements for guests travelling by public bus.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengok…
Positive Reviews
Exceptional, attentive staff
Multiple reviewers praised the team as welcoming, helpful and respectful—going out of their way (e.g. returning forgotten items, using translation apps) and providing consistently kind service from arrival to departure.
Outstanding onsen facilities
Guests repeatedly highlighted the onsen as superb—clean, comforting and peaceful—with options for private in-room baths, well-managed gender-segregated baths and an overall luxurious hot-spring experience.
Excellent meals and dining
Dinner and breakfast were described as delicious, traditional and generous in portion size. Several guests called the cuisine exceptional and a major highlight of the stay.
Clean, spacious and beautifully styled rooms
Rooms were described as immaculate, spacious and elegant with thoughtful traditional Japanese decor and notable artwork; beds (and pillows) and room facilities received frequent positive mention.
Convenient on-site transport and good location for sightseeing
Many guests appreciated the hotel’s shuttle and the nearby bus stop, noting easy access to local walking areas and tourist spots and that the property is a pleasant base for exploring Hakone.
Negative Reviews
Remote location and transport challenges
Several reviews warned the hotel is somewhat far from major stations and the lake; reaching it can require multiple buses or long taxi rides (one comment noted ~45 minutes from Odawara) and taxis can be hard to find or require long waits.
Limited English / communication issues
A number of guests noted staff sometimes struggled with English, which led to initial misunderstandings (for example about dietary requirements), though staff usually managed with translators or extra effort.
Occasional noise from other guests
At least one reviewer experienced loud, disruptive dining noise from a large group in the restaurant and felt staff did not address it, making the meal unpleasant for other diners.
Pet-related odors in corridors
One guest reported a strong dog smell in the corridor where guests brought pets to rooms; this was uncomfortable for non-pet owners and could benefit from improved odor control.
Cost expectations and extra charges
Some guests found prices high during peak season and one expected onsen access to be included but was charged extra; reviewers recommended visiting off-peak for better value and checking what is included with the booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include twin, Japanese-style and family layouts; capacity varies by room so check the room description when booking to confirm the maximum occupancy for your party.
Yes — the property has hot spring baths including indoor and outdoor onsen, a public bath area and a sauna available for guests.
Some room types have private open-air baths, and the hotel can advise about reserving private-use bathing options upon request; please confirm availability when you book.
Local buses stop near the hotel and guests report shuttle or pick-up services from major Hakone stations on request; the hotel can provide details on station transfer options.
Most visitors travel via Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto stations (by shinkansen or Odakyu Romancecar from Tokyo) and then use the Hakone Tozan Bus or arranged shuttle to Sengokuhara; Haneda and Narita are the nearest international airports with onward rail or road connections to Hakone.
Staff are friendly and can assist English-speaking guests with basic needs; onsen etiquette is generally explained but some information or signs may be primarily in Japanese, so ask staff for guidance if unsure.
The ryokan serves Japanese-style meals with praised dinner courses and an Asian-style breakfast; the kitchen can accommodate common dietary requests if notified in advance.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and guests are usually asked to check out by 11:00; contact the hotel in advance if you expect to arrive later than the usual check-in window.
Sengokuhara’s attractions are close by, including the Venetian Glass Museum, Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, the Lalique and glass museums, and the pampas grass fields — all reachable by short drive or local bus.
Pets are not permitted; convenience stores and small supermarkets are a short drive away for supplies, and staff can advise on the nearest options.