It was so calm and comfortable to stay here. It was like having a break from the bustling world out there. Our room was spacious with a beautiful view of mountain. We loved the private spring bath at night where we could just soak ourselves in the hot water while listening to the sound of a stream nearby and looking up at the starry sky above. The staffs were very nice and attentive, especially the two ladies in the dining room. They served 9-course meal for dinner and abundance for breakfast. Eventhough some dishes are strange to our taste, all the them look stunning and were carefully prepared by the chef. There is a bus stop right in front of the hotel which makes it easier to go to sightseeing places.

Eventhough our room was clean, there was uncomfortable smell in the bathroom, maybe due to dampness and the hotel being old and all. The location is not that great to be honest. It is quite far and sloppy from the train station and town center. And despite having a bus stop right in front, be aware that the buses can be quite irregular and there was no buses after 7 or 8pm.

Absolutely perfect stay! This property has exceeded my expectations! It is the BEST SERVICE i have ever experienced in all my travels. And the food was EXCELLENT! If you want to experience excellent traditional Japanese cuisine, then book this place! You will be amazed with their EXCEPTIONAL level of customer service. Don’t mind the reviews whining about them not offering a Western food option. If you want Western food and Western bedding, then this is not the place for you. But if you want proper Japanese kaiseki and experience a proper RYOKAN stay, then this is highly recommended. The private onsen at night was AMAZING!

The staff was welcoming and dedicated to the inn. Time stood still when you entered the hotel, the views and grounds were lush and serene. My husband and I were truly able to relax in the peaceful onsens. Make sure you take advantage of the morning hike by the owner Hara-san. You will learn, see and feel the history and the passion of the locals who have been there for generations. Also, we opted to take a relaxing yoga class from one of the lovely staff that took place in a 400 year old structure. The dinner and breakfast were as pleasing to the eye as they were to the palate. I cannot wait to return. This was the highlight of our second 10 day trip to Japan. I’m back home in New York City and I often think of my time at Kijitei Hoeiso.

I can’t think of a single negative except.

Our entire stay at Kijitei Hoeiso was outstanding. From the moment we entered, we felt at ease and relaxed and were thoroughly looked after. A beautiful welcome drink and snack, individual home tour, and all of the amenities you would need in the room. Dinner was exceptional - we dined in a private room with a beautiful view. The kaiseki meal was well thought through and beautifully presented. Our private onsen experience was unforgettable - an oasis of calm next to a flowing stream and starry night sky. They surprised us with a stunning anniversary dessert platter to celebrate our anniversary - a truly special stay.

This onsen is located slightly away from the main central areas of Hakone - however there is a bus stop right outside of this Onsen with a clear bus timetable. They also provide a shuttle service to Hakone station. This was not necessarily a negative, but meant that exploring Hakone needs more careful planning. It takes 30 minutes to Lake Ashi on the bus and 20 minutes to the station.

Excellent room, excellent service. Totally worth staying even just for one night. The staff was very nice and attentive. We had a big delicious dinner and also a great breakfast. For anyone with tattoos like me, durign the afternoon the onsen is booking only, so that you can reserve 30min to have it all for yourself. Since the water is so hot, 30 min is more than enough. The room is beautiful, big and clean. A very cool traditional japanese experience, completed with a yukata to wear in the hotel.

The window in the shower is completely transparent and I felt a bit exposed, even though probably no one could see me from the outside because of the trees. The towells are small and the pillows too high for my taste (but I like very low pillows so I think I am the weird one)

It was exceptional. From the moment we arrived we were welcomed and taken care of by the amazing ryokan staff. It felt like a spa. The mountain views with the blossom coming out were stunning. The rooms were incredible with traditional mats and tea set up, along with futon beds at night. We had a balcony overlooking the valley and river. You are given traditional robes and slippers to wear everywhere. We had two exceptional meals with 10/10 hospitality from the staff, who truly care about your experience. The food was so interesting and delicious. We booked the private onsen - this was great as we got to experience the calming waters under the stars and blossom. We would recommend this to anyone. Thank you to all the staff.

Not really a negative, but the futon beds take a little bit to get used to. If you find them too solid there are more duvets in the cupboards for extra padding.

The staff was very friendly and accommodating especially Kaygo, Mi (server) and the manager. The food was very authentic and excellent. The property was very clean.

It would be nice to have more seafood or fish sashimi or sushi during dinner. There should be towels in the open air bath area. Would be nice to have a car or shuttle pick you up from the train station. Also, no one answers the phone when we called several times.

The onsen was really nice and quiet and in a beautiful area. The room was nice and spacious. The food was also very good and very traditional. The staff was very accommodating for non japanese speakers.

we found a giant bug in our room. Downside for being in a wooded area. I think it came in when we opened our balcony door. Otherwise, everything was great.

The traditional style of the building and the beautiful Japanese garden outside the open air baths was wonderful. Peaceful and relaxing environment. The customer service from the young Vietnamese girl, My, serving our delicious meals was excellent. She takes her job seriously and loves to have conversations with the customers. Very mild mannered and such a sweet person overall. She explained the food items and a little of the hotel’s history as a pheasant restaurant. Amazing service! The view from the hotel windows of the mountains are a must see. Covered in lush greenery transitioning to the autumn reds and oranges, the scenery will help you relax while sipping at some green tea in your hotel room. The onsen water temperature is perfect! Be sure to soak in as much as you can.

The doors were unstable so when bumped into even the slightest bit or when closing and opening, they made noises. If you’re scared of ghosts, I suggest you don’t walk around the hallways and outside in the garden by yourself 😅 The other thing we didn’t like was that the outdoor onsen during private time can only be booked for 30mins per room. Unfortunately, my partner and I were sharing a room with our friend whom we were definitely not comfortable getting…unclothed with so we had to split the use time. Just something to consider if you are travelling with friends. Tattoos were also not allowed in the public bath so private bath was our only option. Otherwise, great baths!

Absolutely stunning Ryoken. Surrounded by dense forest and next to a river the location is beautiful and serene. As soon as you enter you are welcomed by warm, friendly staff and a welcome tea and snack. Our room was beautiful - traditional style with tatami flooring and big windows looking out to the forest. The outdoor onsen was incredible, overlooking the river. The food was delicious - this Ryoken specialises in pheasant so be prepared for lots of pheasant but it was delicious and beautifully presented. Thank you so much for such an amazing and relaxing stay!

Everything was perfect