This was the most beautiful property at which we stayed in our 2 weeks traveling around Japan and I only wish we had had at least 3 nights. Everything was gorgeous and the service was excellent. We had a room with our own onsen and it was a real treat! Walking around the property and the surrounding area, along with beautiful views of Mt. Fuji made this part of our trip extra special. Would love to stay again someday!

A shuttle from the train station would be a bonus because it is not the easiest place to get to, but, what is really needed are more clear directions on the website for getting to the property. There were a couple of different routing options available, but one was much simpler (not requiring a train transfer) for no additional expense; however, this wasn't clear on the information provided by the hotel.

Yoshimatsu exceeded my expectations in all categories. We got the room with the private onsen and Fuji view. And while the weather was not friendly for the Fuji view, everything else was perfect. The staff were exceptionally hospitable. The facilities clean and well designed. The food was great and more than enough for both dinner and breakfast. The landscaping alone was absolutely beautiful. I got to try all 3 onsens available to me, the private, the public bath, and the family bath, and all were great. I got to fulfill a dream of doing the full winter ryokan experience complete with the yukata and sandals they provided. While it was pricey, I would say it was worth the cost especially as a get-away.

Unrelated to Yoshimatsu, the location is mildly difficult to get to. This is not their fault and in no way reflects negatively on my experience. For anyone reading this, my recommendation is to get to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Then taxi the rest of the way. Our arrival was via Shinkansen to Odawara Station, hour long bus ride with a short hill to get to Yoshimatsu. Our departure was taxi to Hakone-Yumoto and Odakyu Romance train back to Shinjuku. Doing it again ideally you would take the romance train from Shinjuku-Hakone and taxi the rest of the way. If Shinkansen from elsewhere, Odawara > rail to Hakone-Yumoto

Beautiful property with ample Japanese garden to stroll in and flowing steam filled with golden trout. View of Mt Fuji from garden and room. Spotlessly clean. Welcoming and attentive staff made sure we had everything we needed. We had a traditional Japanese room with authentic and well stocked tea set and comfortable and lovely yukatas were proved for us to wear around the property. The onsen was superb with both indoor and outdoor options. Kaiseki meal was delicious, beautifully presented and very traditional with many courses. Our room attendant, Eri, was excellent and even though she spoke little English was well versed in using translation app to ensure our comfort. We had a relaxing and wholly enjoyable stay. Would highly recommend.

Beware the kaiseki meal if you have a sensitive palate. The tastes and flavors are very different than Westernized Japanese food. It is sumptuous, artistic and delicious but not for everyone.

The staff were absolutely wonderful, really attentive and friendly and filled our stay with warmth. The rooms were well-put together and comfortable, and both shared onsens were really special feeling spaces. The Kaiseki food was a lovely experience. Lots of variety, and good combinations of comfort food, elegant refined dishes and some culinary exploration and experimentation. The location works fantastically as you are going in the opposite direction to all the tourist traffic from agora.

Very little! I would just flag that you shouldn’t expect to really meet/interact with other guests…and some may find the experience quite intense.

We had a wonderful time staying at this stunning ryokan. The rooms and the garden are beautiful, traditional, and curated in every detail. Our room had a terrace with a private onsen, which was extremely convenient and personal. As a couple, we also tried the private onsen in the gardens at 6am and caught gorgeous views of mount Fuji. Against what some reviews say, there is no need to book this private onsen - a lantern shows if it is in use by others or available. The kaiseki dinner and the breakfast were of very high-standard, unique, delicious, beautifully made and presented. The staff were extremely kind and attentive, no issues with English, just really great care which started right at the point of arrival with greeting and refreshements. We were travelling to Matsumoto the next day to our stay and the staff went out of their way to recommend us the best trains to take. We were really made to feel special, and hope to be back in the future.

Excellent one-night stay and our host Eri was incredibly informative and kind. She explained the dishes of the kaiseki meals and our first host taught us how to wear the yukata. You get amazing, non-judgemental, individualized service thoughout the onsen. The hotel staff and our host Eri would serve us meals in our room, helped us check in/out of the hotel, moved your luggage to your room, explained the different slippers used throughout the onsen and ordered a taxi to get you to the station for your next trip. If this is your first time doing an onsen, and are looking for quiet, relaxation, non-judgmental guests and hosts, this place is definitely worth the price. I was surprised how quiet the public onsen was; the other guests minded their own business, and most of the time, I would be the only person using the public onsen. There is no talking allowed in the public baths, so we didn't feel self-conscious or nervous about being naked in the baths. This is truly the place to unwind and relax. We almost didn't want to leave. The weather was milder and less humid as were up in the mountains during June.

The entire location was fabulous. Our rooms and our meals were wonderfully decadent and they took such good care of us! The gardens were magical. We had a room where our private Onsen had a view of Mt. Fuji, which was out in all her glory our entire visit. Beautiful. The food was extremely generous and delicious and elegantly presented. We were present with tea and a treat upon arrival, followed by a tour and we were then fitted for both day and sleeping. We enjoyed both the public and private baths and I recieved a great deep tissue before bed. I cannot say enough good things.

We are spoiled for anywhere else!😉

My stay at Yoshimatsu was absolutely wonderful! Sabina provided exceptional service, making the experience even more special. We enjoyed a traditional Kisekei dinner and breakfast, both of which were incredibly delicious and satisfying. Having our own private onsen was a dream—it was the perfect romantic getaway for my partner and me. The beds were exceptionally comfortable, and the onsen offered ultimate relaxation with the soothing sounds of birds and a nearby stream enhancing the ambiance. Getting there was an adventure in itself! We took the Romance Car from Tokyo to Hakone, followed by a train, cable car, ropeway, and a scenic sightseeing cruise to Manchi port. I highly recommend upgrading to first class on the boat—it’s absolutely worth it! From the port, Yoshimatsu was just a short 5-minute walk away. Although the weather wasn’t ideal when we arrived, staying overnight rewarded us with a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji in the morning when the clouds cleared. It was a truly unforgettable experience! If you have tattoos, definitely recommend getting your own private onsen or they have one on site you can use.

Everything was great!!

Beautiful location, very rustic and peaceful, with gardens, koi ponds and a great view of the leak (and even Mt Fuji in the background). Beautiful grounds; really captured the Japanese ambience we were looking for. The room was also a spot on recreation of the Ryokan experience, with the classic stylings we were looking for. The hot bath facilities were perfect for the cold rainy day we arrived on. The staff was very friendly too. Hakone is just a wonderful area for the Ryokan experience.

Two issues. The first was that there were no reservations for the hot spring we wanted to use, so we kept having to check back only to find it occupied by someone else. The 2nd was that one of these times, I stepped forward a couple of steps to check on the lamp, but with the wrong sandals (there are different sandals one must wear outside, inside, and even in transition areas), and the old many at the door proceeded to sharply and repeatedly say "No, no, no, no" until I realized what was going on and retreated to the proper area for the sandals I was wearing. No big deal, but the severity of the reaction has somehow stuck with me weeks on. I guess it left an impression.

This hotel is a solid 10 out of 10 in every aspect. From the moment you step inside, you can feel that every detail has been thoughtfully taken care of. The beautiful surroundings create a sense of peace and relaxation, while the attentive and meticulous service makes you feel truly valued. One of the most memorable experiences was the hotel’s thoughtful preparation of traditional Japanese attire. Not only did they provide beautifully crafted outfits, but they also guided us on how to wear them properly, adding a special cultural touch to our stay. The food here is both exquisite and delicious, showcasing the finest ingredients and culinary craftsmanship. This is my second time visiting this hotel, and I would gladly return again in the future. I’ve already recommended it to many friends, and I’m sure they will love it just as much as I do.