Japan is a unique travel destination with rich history, stunning architecture, high-end technology and delicious food. For travelers looking to escape the urban jungle of Tokyo, the area surrounding Mount Fuji is the perfect place. Hakone is a town in Kanagawa Prefecture located about 90-minutes by train from the capital city.

The Best Ryokan in Japan | KAI Hakone Review

Once there, KAI Hakone offers a luxury retreat with traditional and modern touches effortlessly blended together. From the restaurant to the hot spring baths, this hotel offers a truly memorable stay while visiting the Japanese countryside.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

KAI Hakone, a Hoshino Resort, is a boutique hot spring property located on the banks of a mountain stream just off the Hakone Kyukaido. The first thing guests notice when they step inside the lobby is the calming esthetic expertly executed by their design team. Built in 1987 and renovated by Hoshino Resorts in 2012, the property is a shining example of a traditional, yet luxurious, Japanese inn, or ryokan. Influenced by Japanese heritage, the décor, wall color and use of natural materials connects the space to the local community of Hakone and its unique landscape.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

Past the lobby building, a beautiful corridor of bamboo leads guests to their rooms. The property has 32 guest rooms (24 Japanese-style and eight Western-style). With its low sofa and bed, the Japanese-style room combines the living space with the bedroom creating an open and tranquil feeling upon entry. The rooms feature contemporary furnishings made by master artisans who practice a style of parquetry traditionally found in Hakone. Guests are provided a Japanese robe, or yukata, for their stay that allows for ultimate comfort.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

Once settled, guests are invited to experience a relaxing hot spring bath, or onsen. Hakone is home to natural hot springs in the volcanic caldera of Mount Hakone, including Sengokuhara, Gora, Kojiri and Hakone Yumoto. KAI Hakone accesses the springs from Yumoto, which is considered a premier spring and gateway to Hakone.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

The property’s infinity hot spring blends in well with its natural surroundings, which offers partially open-air views that change with the season. The antique cedar bathtub is filled with the bubbling hot spring water known to be gentle on the skin. First-time guests should be aware of the house rules before enjoying the bath, which is separated by gender. Do not forget to shower before taking a dip and keep all textiles out of the water.

The dining experience at KAI Hakone is another excellent reason to plan a visit. Traditional dinner and breakfast services are included in a room reservation. It was said that a special cuisine was developed in this region using ingredients obtained from the nearby mountains and sea. Inspired by this history, the property’s restaurant offers a seasonal, regionally-sourced menu. The special multi-course dinner, or kaiseki, features a beef hotpot, or meiji gyunabe, which is an original dish from the Meiji Era (1868–1912) when the people of Japan first started eating beef. With each course, guests are introduced to new flavors, unique textures and beautiful presentations. The dining room is set up so that most tables are separated by paper-thin walls, which creates a private and quiet space for dining. The service is impeccable from beginning to end.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

KAI Hakone offers a selection of activities designed to introduce guests to the regional culture. Guests have access to a workshop that explores the secret to parquetry, a craft that is known for its colorful patterns created using the area’s diverse tree population. Other activities include tea sessions, storytelling and other crafting workshops. There is also an on-site library featuring historical information about Hakone.

Courtesy of KAI Hakone

From fine dining to natural hot spring baths, this property is as unique and beautiful as its surroundings. It is the perfect weekend getaway from Tokyo. The calming Zen-inspired atmosphere and superb service offer guests the chance to truly relax while away from home. The property effortlessly combines authentic Japanese touches with modern conveniences. KAI Hakone sets a new standard for natural elegance, because sometimes less is so much more.

The Best Ryokan in Japan

KAI Hakone Japan
Address: 230 Yumotochaya, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo, Kanagawa 250-0312
Telephone: +81-(0)50-3786-1144 (Reservation Center)
Website

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