Senkyoro
9,3/10 Exceptional - Based on 457 reviews
Senkyoro is a traditional ryokan set within an extensive, planted estate in Sengokuhara, Hakone, Kanagawa, combining several interconnected buildings and standalone wooden villas. The property spans an expansive garden with mountain views and walking trails that take around 20–30 minutes to stroll at a leisurely pace; interiors reflect classic Japanese design with tatami flooring, futon-style bedding options and communal public spaces designed for seasonal appreciation. Accommodation mixes standard Japanese-style rooms, a number of rooms that include private outdoor baths, and a small collection of one‑storey wooden villas marketed as private open‑air residences.
Bathing is central to the experience: the ryokan operates both public indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths and offers reservable family or private bathing options, while several guest rooms and the separate villa units feature their own open‑air onsen. The thermal water is described on official materials as mineral‑rich with a silky, milky quality associated with the region’s sources, and private onsen booking is available on arrival for guests who prefer seclusion. This positioning makes the property a practical choice when searching for a ryokan with private onsen in Hakone while still fitting the broader category of a ryokan with private onsen in Kanagawa for prefecture‑level searches.
Dining follows a seasonally driven kaiseki format with meals presented in traditional course sequences and timed service; the inn also lends yukata robes for in‑house wear and offers occasional activities such as pottery classes and guided walks on the grounds. Practical amenities include on‑site parking, a small souvenir shop and multilingual service options noted for assisting travel logistics to nearby museums and bus lines that connect to Hakone‑Yumoto; check‑in and check‑out times, parking rules and any bathing policies are published by the property and recommended to confirm prior to travel.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Senkyoro
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen facilities (public and private)
Guests repeatedly praise the onsen experience — both indoor and outdoor baths — and note the option to reserve private onsen slots. Outdoor baths are described as wonderful and a highlight of the stay.
Attentive, professional staff
Staff are frequently described as charming, very attentive and professional; examples include help with luggage, clear instructions on onsen use, and staff going out of their way (even to the bus stop) to assist guests.
High-quality traditional meals
The kaiseki-style dinners and traditional Japanese breakfasts are praised for presentation, variety and quality. Many guests highlight the in-room dinners and the authenticity of the culinary experience.
Beautiful, tranquil setting and views
Reviewers mention a peaceful location with a lovely garden, waterfall and scenic views from rooms (including cherry trees). The grounds and natural surroundings contribute strongly to the relaxing atmosphere.
Authentic ryokan experience and comfortable rooms
Guests value the traditional ryokan features — tatami rooms, futons on small mattresses, yukata provided — and find the rooms spacious and comfortable, creating an immersive cultural experience.
Negative Reviews
Remote location and limited transport options
Several guests note the property is somewhat far from town or Gora and mainly served by buses; bus journeys can be long or crowded, so mobility is more limited without a car.
Dinner and onsen require advance reservation
Reviewers warn that dinner (and private onsen time slots) must be booked in advance or at check-in; some guests were not informed and risked missing the dining experience.
Occasional logistical/service issues (no hotel shuttle, baggage incident)
A few reviews mention the absence of a hotel shuttle/pickup and one report of baggage being sent to the wrong hotel, causing a significant delay — indicating occasional lapses in transport/logistics coordination.
Some facilities feel dated or need renovation
Multiple guests point out ageing infrastructure — notably bathrooms and paintwork — and a few mentioned a slightly musty or tatami-related smell in rooms that could benefit from refreshment.
Traditional meals and nearby dining may not suit everyone
While the traditional cuisine is celebrated, some international guests found the fish-heavy breakfast or multi-course Japanese dinners unfamiliar or too much; additionally, local restaurants nearby tend to close early, limiting evening options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Senkyoro has 39 rooms across several buildings, including six Oku-no-kigi private villas; room layouts range from standard Japanese rooms with futons to larger rooms and villas that can accommodate families or groups (some rooms sleep up to five on futons).
The property offers indoor and outdoor public baths, gender-separated open-air baths, rentable private hot springs (Kintoki and Otome) and family-use baths, plus private open-air baths in some rooms and villas.
Yes — private hot springs and family baths are available for rent and can be reserved with the front desk; some room types include a private outdoor bath.
There is no dedicated airport shuttle listed; however, the Senkyoro-mae bus stop is directly in front of the ryokan and regular highway and local buses connect the property with Hakone-Yumoto, Odawara and Shinjuku.
The nearest major airport is Haneda; travel by car is roughly two hours, and public transport options (train plus bus or highway bus) are commonly used to reach Hakone.
Staff can assist in English and the ryokan has multilingual support (English, Chinese and Korean are commonly available).
Dinner is served in traditional kaiseki style with seasonal ingredients and most guests receive Japanese-style dinner and breakfast on property; guests in certain buildings are served in-room while others use the dining room.
Popular nearby attractions include the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum (Glass Forest), the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi and the Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands, all reachable by short bus or car rides.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00 and check-out is by 10:00; if you plan to have the ryokan dinner, please arrive by 18:00 so the evening meal can be served.
Pets are not permitted on site; the ryokan has a gift shop and you can reach convenience stores, restaurants and local shops a short bus ride or drive away in the Hakone area.