I was very sceptical about booking a Ryokan and found it really difficult to choose one as the reviews seemed to be inconsistent for most places, I guess that is because to of the price. Having said that, I find it very hard to fault this place and really was a beautifully authentic experience.

We arrived at Hakone station and easily caught the bus to the Ryokan from across the street - it was a short 20min bus ride and was pleasantly surprised that it was a 5 min walk. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality was outstanding - our luggage was taken up to our room and we were provided with the most beautiful welcome drink and mochi snack.

The room was stunningly simple and we really felt we had stepped into another world. This was helped by the fact that we had to walked around in slippers and were provided traditional robes to wear during our stay. We opted for the room on the top floor with forest views, really spacious. It was no problem sharing a toilet, something which my husband is really hesitant about but it was perfectly fine and very clean.

We opted from the in-room dinner and breakfast. Dinner was such a special occasion, course after course was brought into our room and we dined on the floor. Service was awesome, the lady was super friendly and kind. No complaints about the food, it was beautifully presented and had many fish courses. If you are not a fish lover then this probably won't be your thing but we loved it just for the experience. For breakfast, we opted for one Japanese style and western style - again lots of fish for brekkie but it was nice to experience. The western style was continental.

The hot bath Onsen is a must try when you are there, there are separate ones from male and female, and also a private one which you can you with your partner/family - so you have the place to yourself - we opted for this, lovely experience.

All in all our stay was amazing and would recommend anyone to stay here - yes it is on the pricey side and i was hesitant to part with the money but definitely worth it!

This was a hunique experience for my wife and I. I have never had such an experience before tht visit. The room is huge, you eat seating on coushine on the floor at a very low table. you sleep on a matress on the floor. The room is "arranged" by what you would consider, a Geisha, the service is teriific, the food is outstanding. One should take into account that toilets and showers are common and outside the rooms.
We loved this place.

We stayed in this ryokan for two nights in May. The first night we were in a riverside room that is one of two in that wing, having a shared toilet. The second night we had "Sakura 2" which has its own bathroom, toilet, and hot spring bath. The cost is around 40000jpy per night for a couple, with breakfast included. Dinner is another 5000 yen each.

The hotel itself is a registered cultural property so it is worth the money just for the experience. On top of that though the rooms are huge, with nice views (at least in the cases of the rooms we had which overlook the river).

There are two main Onsen, one has big pots and the other a grotto type with tiles which looks to me like a 1930s style. Both are nice. The water is good, not smelly. There is also a small private bath and then the bath in Sakura 2 which is excellent.

The food is very good, and served in your room. Portion sizes are good.

The staff are lovely and helpful, we really enjoyed their company.

Location wise, it is at Tonosawa which is a few hundred meters from Hakone Yumoto but essentially you could be a million miles away in terms of better ambiance. Really nice. A tip is to walk from Hakone Yumoto rather than getting off at Tonosawa, as it is about the same distance and easier with luggage. If you get off at Tonosawa you have to come down a steep hill pathway then cross a road to get to the ryokan.

It is isolated enough to be away from the touristy part of Hakone, you could be in Kurokawa Onsen for all that you would know, but with the advantage of a bustling town a few minutes away.

All told, an amazing experience.