What other travelers are saying about Hakone Yuryo
PROS
➕ Large onsen with nature view
➕ Other amenities
➕ Affordable
CONS
➖ None
Date visited: 05/06/2024
We arrived at the Hakone Yuryo bathhouse on foot. There were buses running from the train station, but it was already late.
According to the staff, we had about an hour to bathe, so we got right to it. For a low price, we were handed a locker key and directed to the men’s section.
On the way, I noticed the facility had plenty to offer—souvenirs, snacks, a garden, and a rest area complete with shelves of manga, just to name a few. There were even private baths, which I was glad I hadn’t reserved. It was already dark outside, so I didn’t linger too long. We headed straight to the onsen.
After stripping and placing our belongings in a locker, we met a local who explained all the onsen etiquette we needed to know—in fluent English. I’m still grateful for that. I’d recommend looking up the rules before you even consider visiting one of these public bathhouses. Armed with fresh bathing knowledge, we entered the onsen hall.
There were several pools with varying temperatures—all hot and steamy, in my opinion. I washed myself at one of the two washing stations before jumping into a pool, which turned out to be the warmest one.
I say “pool,” but they were designed to resemble natural hot springs, with rocks and boulders. Fallen leaves from nearby trees floated on the surface, adding beautifully to the ambience. A low fence bordered the onsen. Beyond it was darkness, but I could imagine the view would be stunning in daylight.
I soaked for a short while, hopping between pools to find the most comfortable one. I also tried the sauna, which was still running—thankfully. By then, it was just the two of us in there, but I wasn’t about to complain. We spent about half an hour bathing, just as I felt a headache starting to kick in.
A variety of vending machines were installed in the locker room, offering snacks and bathing necessities. I bought and drank a small bottle of milk to stay in the spirit of things.
We left just as quickly as we arrived. The process was swift and effortless. We returned the key and thanked the staff for their work, then left—but not before picking up some hotspring–boiled eggs.
Overall, I highly recommend this bathhouse and any bathhouses if you’re in Hakone. While private services are available, nothing beats bathing butt-naked with strangers in a public pool.
My boyfriend & I loved our trip to Hakone Yuryo. We made a reservation online less then a week before, no problem. The room was clean and cozy, and the bath felt so amazing. It was a great option for me as a tattooed person. Staff was friendly, and we also had cold beer & snacks after. We will come back for sure 🥹💖 Thank you
Beautifully done Onsen right in the forest. It's not the biggest establishment but it never felt overly full when inside. Not the cheapest either but then you're paying for the views. Bring your own towels otherwise you'll need to buy from reception.
Everything about this place I really love! True traditional onsen with possibility of booking a private bath session. It’s great if you’re traveling with your partner. It was easy to make phone reservation because they have staff that speaks English! In the room we found everything that you need, you have option to buy a champagne or other drinks to your room while enjoying onsen. I truly recommend renting traditional kimono for 100yen.
Visited in December 2023
About a month in advance, I contacted Hakone Yuryo through email and made reservation for a 2 hour private onsen session. On that day, I was running late navigating the various modes of transport in Hakone so I sent an email to inform them I’ll be around 15-30 mins late. Their customer service replied to thank me for informing them, I’m so thankful that they were understanding about it.
I took the shuttle bus from Hakone Yumoto station and when I arrived (fortunately I was only 10 minutes late), the staff at the front desk was so nice. He spoke to me in English - going through everything I need to know about my 2 hours private onsen session, I also got to pick out the yukata I wanted.
The private room was cozy and I enjoyed the onsen very very much. There were some snacks on the table and hair dryer was also provided in the private room. When my session ended, the sky turned dark and I took the shuttle bus back to Hakone Yumoto station.
I’ll definitely be back again with my loved ones ❤️
The clothed bathing areas allow guests to wear the provided yukata robes while soaking in outdoor pools, making it a social experience where mixed-gender groups can bathe together. The nude bathing sections are gender-separated traditional onsen areas where proper bathing etiquette requires washing before entering the pools. Both areas use the same natural hot spring water but offer distinctly different cultural experiences.
Yes, Hakone Yuryo operates free-access foot baths that do not require facility admission. These are located near the entrance and allow passersby or those on tight schedules to experience the hot spring water briefly without committing to a full bathing session.
While all pools use natural alkaline hot spring water from the same source, temperatures vary significantly across the 19 different baths, ranging from lukewarm to very hot. Some pools are positioned to receive more fresh spring water flow, while others may have slight mineral concentration differences based on their placement and design. The diversity allows guests to find their preferred temperature and bathing intensity.
Food cannot be consumed in the actual bathing pools, but Hakone Yuryo has designated rest areas and terraces where guests can order meals and refreshments while wearing their yukata between bathing sessions. This follows the traditional onsen custom of alternating between soaking and resting with food or drink.
The open-air baths remain fully operational during rain, and many visitors consider bathing in light rain an authentic Japanese onsen experience. The facility's design includes covered walkways and sheltered pools, though some exposure to weather is part of the outdoor bathing concept. Heavy rain or severe weather may affect certain pools, but indoor bathing and relaxation areas remain available.
