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A Relaxing Stay at "Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO"

"Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO" in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a healing onsen inn filled with rich nature and the pleasant sound of water. How about immersing yourself in extraordinary relaxation through bathing in two different hot springs, savoring seasonal Hakone cuisine, and strolling through a charming garden? In this article, we introduce the charms of "Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO."

The Charms of "Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO "

“Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO” is a Kyoritsu Resort inn quietly nestled in rich nature. With two hot spring sources to enjoy, seasonal Hakone cuisine, and guest rooms wrapped in pleasant tranquility, the inn offers a truly healing stay in Hakone.

Upon entering the inn, you are greeted by the cool tones of a suikinkutsu, a traditional Japanese water feature that creates koto-like sounds. Another charm is the pleasant sound of flowing water, which can be heard in the lobby, on the terrace, and in the open-air baths. Surrounded by gentle water sounds and greenery, your mind and body will naturally unwind.

A Word from the General Manager

Our inn is a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush green trees. The gentle sound of water and the soft rustling of leaves welcome you as you arrive. Please enjoy a relaxing evening with our dinner that includes an all-you-can-drink option, as well as our newly renovated public baths. We invite you to experience both “onsen bathing” and “forest bathing” during your stay with us.

【Onsen】Enjoy 2 Hot Spring Sources and 13 Different Baths

Hakone, home to 17 hot spring areas, is famous as one of Japan’s leading onsen destinations. At “MIZUNOTO,” two of these springs—Kowakudani Onsen and Miyanoshita Onsen—naturally flow within the property.

In the new wing, Suihan no Sho, you can enjoy Kowakudani Onsen, while in the main building, Suigetsu no Sho, you can experience Miyanoshita Onsen. All staying guests may use both.
In addition, the garden features three private baths, each with its own unique atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a relaxing bath-hopping experience without ever leaving the inn.

“Suika no Sho,” where you can enjoy Kowakudani Onsen

“Suika no Sho” features two bathing areas—Sasa no Yu and Hana no Yu—each offering both an indoor bath and an open-air bath. From either open-air bath, you can view the lush garden, creating a spacious and relaxing atmosphere.

Sasa no Yu offers an impressive stone indoor bath and a fragrant hinoki cypress open-air bath. Hana no Yu features a warm wooden indoor bath and a rock open-air bath with a calm, soothing ambiance. There is also a reclining bath where you can relax and unwind.

Both Sasa no Yu and Hana no Yu operate on a gender-rotation schedule, allowing guests to enjoy both bathing areas during their stay.

“Suigetsu no Sho,” where you can enjoy Miyanoshita Onsen

“Suigetsu no Sho” features two bathing areas—Hoshi no Yu and Tsuki no Yu—each offering an indoor bath and an open-air bath. From the open-air baths, you can enjoy views of a beautiful bamboo grove.

The open-air bath at Hoshi no Yu is a natural rock bath, while the bright indoor bath with large windows is made of fragrant hinoki cypress. At Tsuki no Yu, both the indoor and open-air baths are crafted from smooth-textured hinoki, and there is also a sitting bath that gently warms your body from the feet up.

These baths also operate on a gender-rotation schedule, allowing guests to experience both Hoshi no Yu and Tsuki no Yu during their stay.

"Private Open-Air Baths" Nestled in the Garden

In the garden, there are three private open-air baths that draw water from Kowakudani Onsen: Hiragi no Yu, Kaede no Yu, and Wakatake no Yu. Each bath has its own unique atmosphere, allowing you to relax and soak while enjoying a different view of the garden.

No reservations are required, and staying guests can use the baths freely. Simply check the availability at the garden entrance; if a bath is vacant, you are welcome to enter. This makes them perfect for guests who want to enjoy a relaxed bath-hopping experience. Here, you can indulge in the luxury of having both the onsen and the scenery all to yourself.

【Cuisine】Seasonal Flavors of Hakone’s Rich Natural Landscape

At MIZUNOTO, guests can enjoy the tastes of Hakone through dishes made with local ingredients—mountain delicacies nurtured by the region’s rich nature and fresh seafood from the nearby coast. These seasonal flavors are one of the inn’s proud highlights.
The chef’s carefully crafted menu, full of creativity and playful touches, changes with the seasons, allowing you to enjoy the freshest ingredients of the moment. A children’s menu is also available for both dinner and breakfast, making it easy for families to share a delicious and enjoyable dining experience together.

A Word from the Head Chef

Please enjoy the local flavors of Hakone, created with the region’s unique mountain ingredients and fresh seafood from Sagami Bay. Each dish is carefully prepared using the blessings of Hakone’s rich natural environment and its clear, pure water.
For dinner, guests can choose from two different dining venues. We hope you enjoy a relaxing meal while listening to the gentle sound of flowing water.

"Dinner" with a Choice of Two Courses

For dinner, guests can choose between two courses: the Aburiyaki Kaiseki and the Ashigara Yuzen Kaiseki. (Some plans are excluded.)

The Aburiyaki Kaiseki features table-grilled dishes that let you enjoy each ingredient while it is freshly cooked and piping hot. With a personal grill at your table, you can cook the items to your preferred doneness and enjoy them together with the chef’s carefully prepared Wa no Zen set.

The Ashigara Yuzen Kaiseki offers a series of delicate dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The main dish is an individual hot pot prepared for each guest, with a choice of beef, pork, or duck.

Your dining venue depends on the course you select.
The Aburiyaki Kaiseki is served at Tsutsuji-tei, a dining venue with large windows overlooking lush greenery, where all seats are sunken kotatsu-style for a relaxed meal.
The Ashigara Yuzen Kaiseki is served at Ashigara, a dining venue with table seating. Enjoy the beautifully crafted kaiseki dishes in a calm atmosphere accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water.

"Breakfast": A Colorful Japanese Set Meal

Breakfast features a luxurious Japanese set meal perfect for starting your travel day, with a main grilled fish and a variety of colorful small side dishes. The grilled fish can be reheated at your table, and as the aroma slowly rises, it’s sure to whet your appetite. Miso soup and white rice are available for free refills, so you can fuel up well before heading out for sightseeing.

【Guest Rooms】Thoughtfully Designed Spaces for Relaxation

Guest rooms are located in the new wing, Suika no Sho, and the main building, Suigetsu no Sho, each offering its own unique atmosphere. In every room, you can enjoy a sense of calm and feel close to Hakone’s natural surroundings without even stepping outside.
Another nice touch is the samue, a comfortable two-piece loungewear set provided in each room, allowing you to unwind and ease your travel fatigue in a relaxed environment.

“Suika no Sho,” Featuring Rooms with Private Open-Air Baths

“Suika no Sho” offers guest rooms with private open-air baths as well as rooms with semi-open-air baths.

The Japanese-Western style room with a private open-air bath combines the relaxation of traditional Japanese design with the comfort of Western-style furnishings. It also features a spacious open terrace, making it ideal for special occasions such as anniversaries or for anyone wanting a touch of luxury. Enjoy the exceptional experience of having Hakone’s seasonal scenery all to yourself, whether from your private bath or the terrace.

The Western-style room with a semi-open-air bath offers a calm and soothing atmosphere inspired by Japanese aesthetics. You can enjoy a leisurely soak while feeling the refreshing Hakone breeze.

In addition, the comfortably designed semi-double Western-style room is perfect for solo travelers. The high-quality Simmons bed ensures a deep and restful night’s sleep.

 

"Suigetsu no Sho," Centered on Japanese-Western Style Rooms

“Suigetsu no Sho,” Featuring Mainly Japanese-Western Style Rooms

Suigetsu no Sho offers a selection of Japanese-Western style rooms and Western-style rooms.

The Japanese-Western style rooms have a calm and relaxing atmosphere, with large windows that offer views of the surrounding natural scenery. In addition to a tatami area and beds, each room includes a kitchen, making it highly functional. Accommodating up to five guests, this room type is ideal for families and groups.

The Western-style rooms are spacious at 46 m², and their natural color scheme creates a soothing and comfortable ambiance. These rooms are also equipped with a microwave and a mini-kitchen for added convenience.

【Lobby/Garden】A Luxury Healed by the Sound of Water

You can enjoy the rich nature and soothing sound of water from anywhere in the inn, but in the lobby, the terrace, and the garden, the sound of water feels even more special. In addition to the guest rooms and onsen, take time to relax in these spaces as well and immerse yourself in moments of extraordinary tranquility.

Lobby & Terrace: A Space Filled with the Scenery and Sound of Water

The spacious lobby features a small pond that welcomes you with calming water scenery and gentle rippling sounds. Near the entrance, a suikinkutsu adds its clear, resonant tones, creating a soothing harmony that is pleasant to the ears.

Connected to the lobby is the “Mizunoto Terrace,” a breathtaking spot with a front-row view of Hakone’s lush greenery. In the morning, when the sunlight shines in, the greenery looks especially vibrant and refreshing. You can also bring a cup of coffee from the lobby lounge out to the terrace and enjoy a luxurious moment surrounded by nature and the sound of flowing water.

Garden with a Flowing Stream

Strolling through the garden, surrounded by lush greenery, is another relaxing way to spend your time at MIZUNOTO. A small stream flows gently through the garden, filling the space with a soothing sound. In the back of the garden, you’ll also find a small gazebo—perfect for taking a leisurely break.

The garden showcases beautiful scenery throughout the year: vibrant greenery in spring and summer, colorful autumn leaves in fall, and a serene snowy landscape in winter.

【Service】Staff-Recommended Ways to Enjoy Your Stay

Here, the staff who know MIZUNOTO best introduce their recommended ways to enjoy your time at the inn, along with the thoughtful services that make your stay even more fulfilling.

Day 1 (Check-in Day)

3:00 PM – Check-in

After checking in, enjoy a cup of coffee from the lobby lounge on the terrace. Once you’ve had a short break, head to your room. Each floor offers a single-flower vase service, where you can choose your favorite flower to decorate your room. A chakōro (tea incense burner) is also available to borrow, allowing you to relax with the gentle aroma of tea leaves.

4:00 PM – Bath-Hopping

Enjoy a bath-hopping experience by soaking in all 13 baths in the inn. A bath basket with towels is provided, making it easy to move between the bathing areas. In the post-bath lounge, complimentary drinks and ice candies are also available.

6:30 PM – Oshinogi (Pre-dinner snack)

Dinner is served in two time slots: 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Guests who choose the later dinner time can enjoy oshinogi—light snacks such as meat buns or dumplings—before their meal.

8:00 PM – Dinner

Enjoy a delicious dinner featuring the seasonal flavors of Hakone. A 60-minute all-you-can-drink service with 13 types of beverages is included. (For guests on dinner-included plans)

10:00 PM – Late-night Snack

To end your day on a cozy note, try the inn’s popular Yonaki Soba. This light, soy sauce–based bowl is perfect when you’re feeling a little hungry late at night.

Day 2 (Check-out Day)

6:00 AM – Wake Up

Start your day a little early and enjoy the refreshing morning air of Hakone. Every guest room is equipped with a coffee mill, so you can begin your morning with the aroma of freshly ground coffee.

 7:00 AM – Breakfast

 Breakfast is a colorful Japanese set meal. Eat well and fuel up for the day ahead.

 8:30 AM – Morning Bath

 A morning bath is one of the true pleasures of travel. The large public baths operate on a gender-rotation schedule, allowing you to enjoy a different atmosphere in the morning. You can also take a relaxing soak in a private open-air bath while strolling through the garden. After your morning bath, milk is provided as a refreshing drink.

 10:00 AM – Souvenir Shopping

Before checking out, how about choosing some souvenirs at the shop? A variety of Hakone specialties is available.

 11:00 AM – Check-out

 Check out while enjoying the gentle sound of flowing water, then head out for sightseeing in Hakone. Many popular tourist spots are located near the inn, so be sure to explore the area.

【Nearby Sightseeing】Staff-Recommended Spots Around Hakone

Hakone is known as one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations. Among its many famous attractions, here are some that our staff especially recommend. These spots are easy to access from the inn, making them perfect for sightseeing before check-in or after check-out.

Lake Ashi

Lake Ashi is a scenic spot where you can enjoy views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. Along the lakeshore stands the mystical torii gate of Hakone Shrine, one of the area’s most famous photo spots.
The Hakone Pirate Ship, which cruises across Lake Ashi, is also very popular. With pirate-themed decorations and 3D art on board, it’s fun for both children and adults.
From the inn, Lake Ashi can be reached in about 25 minutes by car or bus.

Owakudani

Owakudani was formed by the eruption of Mt. Kamiyama about 3,000 years ago. Even today, you can see up close the powerful volcanic plumes rising from the ground and the rugged, otherworldly landscape they create.
When visiting Owakudani, be sure to try its famous “black eggs,” boiled in the natural hot spring pools. According to local legend, eating one is said to add seven years to your life.
From the inn, Owakudani is about 15 minutes by car or about 35 minutes by public transportation, including trains and cable cars.

Gora Park

Surrounded by mountains, Gora Park offers a spacious and relaxing atmosphere. Opened in 1914, it is known as Japan’s oldest French-style formal garden.
The park is also famous for its seasonal flowers, including cherry blossoms, azaleas, hydrangeas, and roses, which bloom beautifully throughout the year.
From the inn, Gora Park is about 10 minutes by car or about 15 minutes by public transportation, including trains and cable cars.

Enjoy a Heart-Fulfilling Stay at “Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO”

“Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO” is an inn where you can relax and truly feel the nature of Hakone. Whether it’s the open-air baths, the terrace surrounded by greenery, or the soothing guest rooms, the gentle sound of water follows you throughout the inn, offering moments of luxurious relaxation.
The warm hospitality and thoughtful services will also make your stay feel deeply fulfilling.
If you are visiting from the Tokyo metropolitan area, we recommend taking the Romancecar for a comfortable and convenient journey—and enjoy a memorable stay at “Hakone Kowakudani Onsen MIZUNOTO” at great value.