[2024 Hakone Stay] Travel Guide for Hakone Nica (Updated Nov)
I've been to Hakone three times and it's so comfortable!
I went to Suimeisou in January. It takes about an hour to get there from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo on the Romancecar. It's a 4-minute walk from the station to Suimeisou.
• There's a 24-hour 7-11 nearby. If you need anything, you can go there at any time.
We stayed in a room with a private hot spring. You can soak in the hot spring whenever you want.
• When you arrive at the hotel, the old man at the front desk will ask you if you want to eat, and then someone will start preparing kaiseki cuisine in your room.
I read a review that said the rooms without a private hot spring are not as good. But if you're only staying for one night and you want to book their private hot spring, it doesn't matter if your room has one or not. But the bed is really comfortable.
• I recommend going during the day. It's beautiful and comfortable. After soaking in the hot spring, you can have a meal and then go to bed.
• If you're staying for more than two days, I recommend not including breakfast and dinner. Include breakfast and dinner on the first day, and go out to eat on the second night. The restaurants outside are actually really good. I recommend Kizinosuke. It's a 2-minute walk from the hotel.
PS: If you have time, you can go to Owakudani to see Mount Fuji and try the black eggs. They're really good!
This hotel has been run by an old couple for a lifetime. It was renovated in the middle, so it's quite new. The old couple are very warm and hospitable.
I like to experience the local lifestyle and food in Hakone.
• I highly recommend this hotel. I would stay here again.
noahsapphire
Experiencing a hot spring under the blue sky and white clouds (Guide and Precautions for Enjoying Hot Springs in Japan)
Upon arriving at Hakone NICA, how can one miss out on the hot springs? The first day we reached Yumoto was already noon, so the main activity planned was to enjoy the hot springs.
We made a phone reservation the day before for a private bath at Hakone Yuryo. Because we booked late, only the 1 PM slot was available for two hours. We wanted to book a large room for four people, but it was not available, so we booked a small room for two people for 9600 yen.
🚉Transportation guide:
✅From Hakone Yumoto Station, take the mountain tram towards Gora Sounzan direction, get off at Ohiradai Station, exit the station and follow the signs into the mountains. The secluded mountain path leads you to Hakone Yuryo.
✅You can also take a shuttle bus that goes directly to the entrance. We took the shuttle bus back to Hakone Yumoto Station.
First, go to the reception desk to complete the procedures, pay (only Japanese yen cash is accepted) to receive the locker key, yukata, and overcoat. Here, yukata is provided by default, and the staff will ask if you need an overcoat. Choose according to your needs. Then, they will present a paper similar to regulations to remind you of the precautions.
📝Tips for enjoying hot springs in Japan:
1. You must bathe in advance to keep your body clean before entering the hot spring pool.
2. You cannot wear or carry any clothing into the hot spring pool, including swimsuits. You must enter the pool naked.
3. People with tattoos are prohibited from entering the hot springs.
4. Do not use soap or other cleaning products in the hot spring pool.
5. If you have long hair, tie it up. Hair should not be immersed in the hot spring water.
6. Towels should not be immersed in the hot spring water to maintain its cleanliness and hygiene.
❤Please pay attention to the correct way to wear a Japanese yukata: the left side should be on top, with the left panel over the right panel. Do not reverse it, as wearing the right panel on top is the way for the deceased.
❤A reminder for those planning to enjoy the hot springs: be sure to make a reservation several days or even a month in advance. Do not wait until you are ready to go to make a reservation, as you may not be able to book a large room or choose the time slot.
Of course, if you are going to use the large mixed-gender pool, no reservation is needed.