Nagominoyado Hanagokoro – Reopening in Mar 2024
8,7/10 Excellent - Based on 498 reviews
Nagominoyado Hanagokoro reopened in March 2024 as a compact, traditionally styled ryokan annex perched in Gora, Hakone, and it presents a focused onsen experience for travellers seeking a calm, well-served stay. The property sits within easy reach of the Sounzan ropeway station (about three minutes on foot), convenient for excursions to Owakudani and the Hakone Open‑Air Museum. Rooms are arranged in mixed Japanese–Western layouts with options for tatami and futon or Western beds; several room types feature a private outdoor bath on the balcony, so the accommodation functions as a ryokan with private onsen in Hakone.
The inn combines several hot-spring amenities with intimate hospitality: guests can reserve any of eight different private hot-spring baths, use a stone sauna and book massages. Evening meals are served in kaiseki format, emphasising seasonal local produce; breakfast follows a Japanese style. Public areas include a small bar, garden terrace and compact dining room, while practical amenities cover free Wi‑Fi, parking and a shuttle pickup from nearby stations on request. Staff provide personalised guidance for day trips and transfers around Hakone.
Room categories span compact doubles to larger 46 m² suites that combine seating, a queen bed and space for futons; many rate plans include dinner and breakfast served at set times, and guests can request assistance to reserve private‑bath slots. The property operates standard mid‑afternoon check‑in and late‑morning checkout, and its location close to the ropeway makes it a practical choice for visitors seeking a ryokan with onsen in Kanagawa. Practical arrangements such as station pickup and on-site parking help when planning short excursions around the area.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Nagominoyado Hanagokoro…
Positive Reviews
Attentive, high-quality service
Multiple reviews praise extremely attentive, professional and caring staff who provide personalized welcome and detailed explanations, enhancing the immersive ryokan experience.
Private onsen (bath) on balcony
Guests repeatedly highlight the private outdoor onsen attached to rooms — described as magical, superb and available to use freely in the evening and morning — providing calm, relaxation and a sense of being in nature.
Excellent traditional Japanese meals
Many guests compliment the refined, high-quality dinner and Japanese breakfast presentation; meals are noted as delicious and spectacularly prepared, with some English explanations of dishes.
Very convenient location near funicular / Sounzan station
Several reviewers mention the property is only steps from the funicular/Sounzan station, making it an ideal base for the Hakone loop and easy access to local attractions.
Calm, authentic ryokan atmosphere and room quality
Visitors appreciate the serene, restorative atmosphere, authentic ryokan rituals and attire, rooms matching photos (tatami floors, large windows) and the overall feeling of being in a peaceful bubble.
Negative Reviews
Location/address confusion
At least one guest reported difficulty finding the property because the address on Google Maps/booking was incorrect, causing navigation issues on arrival.
Limited English / language barrier
A few reviews note that staff have limited English, which can make communication harder for non-Japanese speakers, though staff still try to be helpful.
Food options and timing concerns
Some guests felt the breakfast was insufficient or that meals were exclusively Japanese with little alternative; one guest would have preferred the dinner to be served over a longer period.
Cold rooms or dining area
One review mentioned a lack of warmth in the room and dining room, indicating heating/temperature comfort could be improved.
Access/view and occasional noise issues
A minority reported drawbacks such as limited or no notable view from certain rooms, access difficulties when the cable car is not running, and temporary roadworks outside (though noise was not a major disturbance).
Frequently Asked Questions
Room configurations vary; many rooms have a queen bed plus up to two futons or two futons, so typical occupancy is 2–4 guests, and children under 12 are not accepted.
Yes — the property offers multiple hot-spring facilities including eight private onsen and a rock sauna, and some room types include a private outdoor bath on the balcony.
Guests with tattoos may be restricted from public bathing areas; booking a private onsen or using a room with a private bath is recommended for tattooed guests.
There is a free shuttle pickup from Gora or Sounzan stations — you must call on arrival to request pickup; for airports, most guests travel by train or bus to Odawara/Hakone-Yumoto then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway.
From Haneda expect about a 2-hour journey by train (Keikyu to Shinagawa, Shinkansen or Odakyu connections to Odawara, then Hakone Tozan to Gora/Sounzan); from Narita the trip typically takes around 3 hours with transfers via Shinjuku or Odawara.
Staff generally speak some English and provide English descriptions for meals, though simple Japanese or a translation app may help with complex requests.
The ryokan serves traditional kaiseki dinners and an Asian-style breakfast; a boxed dinner can be arranged on request for late arrivals.
The ryokan is a short walk from Sounzan station and close to Gora Park; Owakudani, Hakone Shrine and the Hakone sightseeing loop (ropeway, lake cruise) are all easily reachable by public transport.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 (usually until around 18:00), check-out is by 11:00, and the property has a curfew at about 21:00 — please contact the ryokan if you expect to arrive after 19:00.
Pets are not permitted; however, private hot-spring baths are available for guest use and some room types include a private outdoor tub for exclusive use.