Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan

First off, let me explain why I chose this hotel. A colleague highly recommended it. Her Japanese relatives had taken her there when she visited Hakone before, and she said it was mostly frequented by locals. After checking in, I found this to be true, so I booked it. Now, about the location. It's right next to Kowakien. The bus stops in that area are all very close, with three stops within two to three hundred meters. You can take a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Horaien, and the hotel is directly across the street. Buses run every 15 minutes, are very punctual, clean, and convenient. It's also very close to Ten-yu and Mori-no-yu, just a short walk away. As for the service, it was absolutely impeccable. There was a handsome, glasses-wearing gentleman who spoke Chinese and had an incredibly good attitude. There was also a slightly plump Chinese lady who was very kind. After check-in, she even escorted us to our room and explained everything. Throughout our stay, everyone we encountered had an excellent attitude. They even meticulously explained our itinerary for the next day and proactively helped with our luggage. As my son said, "They're genuinely good." Regarding the meals, I booked a half-board plan. Dinner started at 5:30 PM and was a Japanese kaiseki meal. I didn't realize at the time that some dishes could be swapped. My son was very hungry before eating, and we both pretty much finished everything. The wagyu beef was especially delicious. For breakfast, the staff asked us the day before what we preferred. My son chose the Western style, and I opted for the Japanese. The rice was delicious, and the salmon portions were generous. About the onsen (hot spring baths): We arrived in the afternoon on our first day and immediately went to Mori-no-yu for a soak. The hotel provided free tickets, along with four arcade coupons. In the evening after dinner, we booked a private bath. Here's a note: I had read online that you could reserve private baths, but that's not actually the case. You need to check with the front desk, and if one is available, you can use it. You can't make reservations; you just have to wait. My son asked earlier and was told one would be free at 5:30 PM. We went at 6:20 PM after the previous occupants left. There are three private baths, and each session is an hour long – very comfortable! As for the main public bath, there's one indoor pool and one outdoor pool. I went early the next morning when no one else was there, so it was like having a private bath with an even better ambiance. Cleanliness and the room: The room was very spacious with a balcony, offering views of lush green mountains and clear water. My son said the bed was very soft and comfortable. There was water provided, but no shower in the room itself. Although the hotel is older, it was very clean. Overall, I was extremely satisfied. My son said he wants to go back again, but unfortunately, my wallet isn't quite ready for it!

This hotel has a very traditional Japanese style. The staff are all very friendly and welcoming, always ready to help with luggage. Just be sure to communicate with the hotel in advance about your meals, as there aren't many dining options nearby.

Overall, it was definitely great value for money, can't ask for much more at this price. The room was also very clean and quiet, leaving me feeling completely serene. The only slight downside was that there were too many foreigners when I visited. The 5:30 PM dinner was incredibly rich and varied, full marks!

This is the original and most traditional Japanese-style hotel among the three Hakone Kowakien properties in the area. The suites feature a private onsen bath, a tatami living room and tea room, and a separate bedroom with two beds. It's clean and comfortable, and there's a balcony where you can enjoy the scent of the forest at night. The front desk and restaurant employ foreign staff who can communicate in basic Chinese and English.

The facilities, though dated, are well-maintained in the common areas – a mix of old charm and modern updates. The service was exceptional. We booked a half-board package, which included hot spring tickets for a place about a 5-6 minute walk from the hotel.

This was my first time visiting Hakone, and I chose Miharuya, a historic ryokan with a rich past, even visited by Sun Yat-sen. It's an older place, but overall quite good, and the value for money was decent. For less than 2000, it included breakfast and dinner for a family of three. The only downside was the inconvenient transportation. You need to take a shuttle from the main station, but thankfully, there's a free minibus that connects nearby hotels. A pleasant surprise was a large onsen amusement park nearby. It was my first time experiencing swimming and going down a slide in an onsen, and we spent a long time there – it was absolutely fantastic.

The facilities are charmingly rustic and elegant, and the rooms are spotless. The staff provided excellent service, and dinner was delicious. This is a historic inn, once visited by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and is a designated cultural property. Many historical relics are preserved within the inn. The hot spring area is a bit small, which is a minor drawback.