We had a great, relaxing stay. We stayed in the Haruka room. The views were amazing and tranquil. The onsen on the balcony was just what we needed after walking 26K steps a day in Tokyo and Kyoto. We were happy to learn that the dinner and breakfast menu changed each day and offered a variety of dishes we hadn't tried before. They offer complimentary wine, spirits, and snacks in the evening. My only complaint is that most of the snacks were candy. The public onsen was stocked with everything you needed. It was clean and serene. I definitely recommend this ryokan. PSA... guests come to this ryokan to relax, please be mindful of your noise level. We had the loudest family seated next to us at dinner, who had no respect for others. The staff was very apologetic, but it wasn't their fault. Please don't be those people.

Staff: The staff really made my stay incredible. Every single one of the staff was so kind and thoughtful. If you let them know in advance, they can pick up from the station and drive you to the hotel for no charge. We weren't sure what time we would arrive so I ended up calling them the day of and was still able to get picked up which was amazing. Food: The food was incredible! Each room has their own private room in the dining area that is associated with your room kanji. So the meals felt intimate and luxurious. They were also very accommodating of all my allergies. Room: Every room has a private onsen bath on the balcony. It was also the largest room we had on our entire trip.

The only thing I was disappointed in was the spa service. My husband and I booked a massage and facial and we were looking forward to it after all the walking we had down in the city. The ladies were really nice but the service was lacking. The facial is not really a real facial but a cleanse and application of serums and moisturizer. There is no steamer, masque, extractions, or any facial massage. The body massage was also more like a gentle caress. It again wasn't really a real massage. Even when asked for more pressure it more tickled than relieved our tension. I will say I didn't complain because I felt bad. But it was definitely not worth the price I paid for the service and would not have booked it if I knew.

It was so peaceful and serene- especially during the rain. It was just what I needed after days of walking! The onsen was beautiful and the staff was amazing! Mei served my meals and she was the sweetest! The spa was also amazing. I went back the second day since it was the best massage I’ve ever had!

First of all - private onsen is an amazing experience if you look for more privacy - we spent hours inside. Second - what booking doesn't tell you - dinner is actually a multiple course Michelin - like experience, changed every day to different courses. We had many delicious plates that we tried for the first time. Breakfast has both japanese and western options, both really tasty as well. And last but not least - the hotel provides transport to the nearest stations (bus/train/rope) from which, especially with Hakone pass, you can explore the whole area. And of course the service is top quality. Definitely worth the price

Weather the second day during the stay :)

We really enjoyed our stay here! When you entered Byakudan, you can smell sandalwood right away, it’s so calming and it’s a vibe. The staff welcomed us with fresh green tea and japanese snacks. Everything was done perfectly and the staff were so nice and helpful. The girl who served us during dinner and breakfast, her name is Saki, she was so helpful and nice to us, even wrote us a little thank you note before our departure. It was so sweet of her. And we hope to see her again during our next stay in Byakudan :)

The staff is really friendly and they welcome you with snacks and drinks. The rooms have an amazing private Onsen on a nice terrace but there is also a public one (divided between man and woman). Breakfast and dinner are amazing and the give you free drinks and snacks after dinner. The rooms are really big and they give you all kind of facilities. From shampoo, skin care, toothpaste, clothes till food and inciense.

I did not know that they had shuttle to go up.

Hands down the best experience I have ever had. I wish I could give it more than 10 if I could. Everything was very beautiful like a dream. The staff went above and beyond to attend to our needs. We had some problem at the train station. The staff, Masaki-san, went to pick us up and helped explain to the train station personel about our situation. They also dropped us off where we needed to go with some good recommendations. The hot spring in the room was insanely beautiful. The public bath was comfortable and the food was beyond delicious. Words cannot explain how happy I am with the experience and I will definitely come back again when I have a chance.

The most incredible hotel we have ever stayed at. From the moment you arrive the staff do absolutely everything to make you feel welcome and tend to your every need. The views from the lounge are breathtaking and all of the little details make you feel peaceful and relaxed. From the herbal tea station to the wood burning fire at night time, blankets on the chairs and the ambient music playing, we loved it all. The kaiseki breakfast and dinner are truly incredible, although we found we were unable to finish everything as the courses are so generous, we were blown away by all of the beautiful dishes we got to try that we would otherwise not have had on our trip. You can choose and Japanese or western breakfast and if Japanese, you get to select a grilled fish from a list the night before. The whole dining experience was some of the best hospitality I have ever received. We stayed on the second floor in a room with the onsen tub on the balcony and the room itself was comfortable and came with some luxury skincare products which we made use of during our stay. There are also free drinks in the refrigerator in your room which are topped up during your stay. I cannot recommend Hakone Gora Byakudan enough.

Nothing, it was sublime.

The property was beautiful and the view from the lobby was stunning. It was so peaceful and quiet, all the rooms were perfectly decorated. The onsen in our room had a cold water spout which helped us adjust the natural hot temperature of the onsen. The beds were so nice and soft as well and we both slept so well. Dinner and breakfast courses were delicious (Michelin level) and we were really full after each meal. The staff were thoughtful in making sure our breakfast and dinner course menus were different depending on the day we stayed. We also liked the private shuttle that would take us to spots close around the property.

I love all the staff and our server during dinner and breakfast. She was amazing and helpful in all aspects. My experience of my first onsen was truly memorable and will cherish forever. I came during the fall season and the view from the lobby was beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. When it was time to checkout, staff offered to drive us to the bus stop so we could continue to explore hakone. This was helpful because it was raining that day and they even provided us with umbrellas.

The walk to the onsen from the train station was an interesting trek. It took about 15 + minutes from the closest train station. We had to walk along the road while cars drove by. It was extra scary because it was dark, but this didn't ruin my experience of picking this location.