We got the main room in the pictures for our family and were quite happy about the space. It wasn’t obvious where to stock our things as the drawers stored the linens and yukata, but lots of room to pit it aside. The food spread was great ,but after a few days, we were happy to have other meals since the food is similar (fish done in many ways!) and we aren’t used to meals like these. The kids had lots of fun. Their baby chairs make funny (and annoying) noises, which of course they played with constantly. Loved using the onsen. Nice and relaxing. On one of our days, the ropeway was closed and it poured, which makes travelling a bit tricker even just to grab food. We were aware of the reviews and treated this place like an older rustic cabin-style place, and had a great time. We enjoyed the outdoor onsen the most, less humidity to bear.

It’s older and it shows. Probably could clean the onsen area more, but I guess you can only do so much unless it gets a proper renovation.

The staff was fantastic. We felt welcome and we truly enjoyed our stay. The room was very nice and necessary amenities were provided. They also offered to keep our suitcases a little longer while we visited Lake Ashi, which was very considerate. The meals were exceptional in both portions and quality of the food. There was a wide variety of foods in true kaiseki fashion and in no way did we ever feel like corners were cut. 10/10! The waiting staff was also very nice, and always very punctual. Just make sure you are ready 5 minutes early. The living room, entrance and lounge area were cleaned well, and we were provided new clean robes daily which was nice. The inside layout also gives studio Ghibli vibes which is amazing.

In our initial request we asked if it was possible to have one of the meals not come with fish (we were fine with paying the same price but just not getting the fish part thus getting a smaller meal). We just didn't wish to waste food. Unfortunately we didn't get a response back, and only after posting the request and making the reservation we saw the no meal change policy. The bathroom in our room smelled heavily like sweat. It had clearly been cleaned but there was also dirt in the corners. The room and the rest of the hotel looked pretty clean however. The one other place that needed cleaning was the smaller onsen.

The location with great views across to the mountains and convenience for the Hakone Ropeway. The authentic Japanese living and eating experience.

The Onsen was very shabby and not worth the extra cost. The toilet and bathroom were also poor.

This place was top notch! The ryoken was beautiful, up in the mountains of the Hakone area! What a view. The dinner was served in the room, and fantastic and seasonal and fresh. Breakfast was just as amazing, again in the room, and fresh and seasonal. The service and attention to guests was great. The onsen areas were also beautiful, although I think I would prefer that hot water in the late fall or winter. From here, we walked to the cable car station, and visited the beautiful caldera area, and caught a glimpse of Mt. Fuji in the background.

I don't think this hotel is very used to foreigners. The concierge spoke English and was fantastically professional, but did seem like he would have preferred Japanese customers, even going as far as telling us that "there isn't much to do around here", as he pointed us towards the ropeway station on a map we got from the hotel that promotes tourism.

If you're looking for what a traditional antique ryokan is, look no further. This place is definitely old, but with that age comes character. If you want a more modern stay you're going to need to look elsewhere. What it lacks because of age it makes up for in the incredibly friendly staff and delicious food. The woman who attended us for our meals was super nice and set everything up beautifully. She did not speak much English but sincerely made an effort to communicate with us. We didn't know what we were eating, but honestly didn't need to. It was all so delicious! My husband and I also took advantage of a private onsen. The bathroom itself was relatively small but that bath was GLORIOUS! After waking roughly 10 miles every day for half a week prior, it was so refreshing to soak. The water was hot and milky in color and left our skin feeling so smooth. This ryokan is also 2 or so minutes from the ropeway and end line of the cable car. If you get a chance, I highly recommend getting there by the Tozan train then cable car as the views are beautiful. I recommend this ryokan if an older building isn't off-putting, as I really do think that the rest of the experience far outweighs the age of the building and the fact that things clearly need repair in areas.

The very traditional half board (breakfast and dinner) was amazing and so wonderful to experience. It takes a bit of getting used to fish at breakfast. The Onsen was superb - my daughter and I were fortunate to be on our own, but both inside and outside bathing was lovely. There is no bathing facilities in the room. The staff are awesome - so beautiful and accommodating. Free shuttle from the station and it is quiet as there is really nothing else around.

As the accommodation is at Sounzan the end of the of the Cable Car and Hakone Ropeway, it is both convenient but limiting. There is not much around the area without trying to find a taxi, and both the Hakone tourist transports end quite early, which did enable us to get back for 6.30 dinner - so mixed feelings. The accommodation is quite tired with basin areas, holes in paper screens, etc. It was the most expensive accommodation for our 18 day stay in Japan.

Onsen

Limited staff that can speak English, don’t provide hot water at night, onsen changes time for women and men (can be confusing). Could not leave baggage after checkout

We loved everything! Yes the staff didn't speak much English and the facility was a little old and rustic but that's exactly the experience I was after. The included dinner and breakfast were amazing full of dishes that I would not normally order so I got to try new things. There was also plenty of food. This was my first time in an onsen and it was great. Yes, I had to google what the etiquette was and how to put on the traditional clothes properly but it was great to learn and experience traditional Japanese life. It is a unique old-style accommodation. It doesn't have a modern feel but does have some modern conveniences e.g. TV, mini-bar and private toilet with bidet. There were also welcome treats and tea waiting for us. My whole family was amazed at the elderly room servicer who set up our room, beds, food, slippers etc. I know it's not traditional to tip in Japan but she really deserves to be recognised for her hard work.

Staff could not speak English very well so there were a couple miscommunications both before and during the stay. It would have been better if the outside onsens were bigger. There is one that fits one person and another that fits two people. The inside onsens fit more people. There was no private bathroom for those who did not wish to/could not use an onsen (although I believe you can pay extra for a private onsen).

The hot spring and food

The room was a little dirty with webs on ceiling

The location is great, just around the corner from the Gora cable car station and transfer to the ropeway. The staff are all very friendly and helpful - I don't know much Japanese, but most of the staff understood some English and couldn't do enough to help us. But the view is the biggest reason to recommend this ryokan; looking out of our window over the mountains was amazing.

You will need to hire an onsen if you want private access, and some of the photos of the onsen on here are things I didn't see at the ryokan. That said, it's excellent value for money for the location and the level of service.