Hakone's ryokan offer a quintessential Japanese inn experience, blending natural hot springs (onsen) with tatami-mat rooms, kaiseki multi-course dinners, and serene mountain or lake views. Rates range from mid-range options like Mount View Hakone (known for its rare milky-white nigori-yu baths) to luxury stays at Gora Kadan (a Relais & Châteaux property with an indoor pool and fitness center). Most ryokan cluster around three areas: Hakone Yumoto (convenient for train access), Gora (near the Open-Air Museum and cable car), and the Lake Ashi shore (for iconic Fuji views).
Top-rated choices include Gora Kadan (Superb, 91) with private onsen and a spa, Yumoto Fujiya Hotel (Fabulous, 88) steps from the station and offering four dining venues, and Balinese Onsen Ryokan Hakone Airu (Superb, 90) serving Western or Asian breakfasts and kaiseki dinners. For families, Susukinohara Ichinoyu (Fabulous, 89) provides disabled-access rooms and geothermal hot springs. Others like Tensui Saryo and Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori feature private open-air baths and lake panoramas. Book well ahead, especially for weekends and peak foliage seasons.