Locals in Japan

In February 2024, we had the pleasure of spending a weekend at Fufu Hakone, a luxurious hot spring resort located just an hour and a half drive from Tokyo. It was our second time to stay there as we really liked the previous stay. We’d like to share our experience and thoughts on this exceptional property.

Booking Experience:

Fufu Hakone is extremely popular among Japanese and international travelers, and February is considered a peak season for hot springs. To secure our reservation, we booked seven months in advance, as early as in August by Booking.com. It’s important to note that not only do rooms at popular hotels fill up quickly, but the availability of preferred room types and dining options also diminishes over time. If you have a specific ryokan in mind, I highly recommend booking early based on reviews and social media reputation.

One more thing to note, one week before our stay, the hotel sent us a thoughtful reminder email, confirming our reservation details. This attentive service made us feel valued as guests.

Accomodations:

We opted for the Comfort Suite, which features separate bedroom and living room areas. This layout is perfect for families, as it allows parents to relax and converse after putting the children to bed. The hotel opened in 2022, so the entire property and its amenities are pristine, comfortable, and adorned with high-quality interior design. Our room included a private open-air hot spring bath, a shower booth, and a spacious view. The complimentary minibar was well-stocked with beer, mineral water, and a delightful house-made herbal tea that could be refilled upon request. Simply leave the empty container in the room’s entrance post, and the butler will replenish it for you – a truly luxurious touch.

Dining:

Both dinner and breakfast were traditional Japanese kaiseki-style meals. If you prefer buffet-style dining, please keep this in mind. You can also choose Teppanyaki for dinner too.

Dinner was particularly exquisite, with visually stunning presentations and delectable flavors. We appreciated the option to choose three preferred main courses. The hotel thoughtfully provided a private dining room for our family, considering the needs of our children. We really appreciated this.

Breakfast offered a wide array of dishes, each one delicious and satisfying.

Hot Springs:

Fufu Hakone offers two types of hot springs: the private open-air bath in each room and the shared public bath. We were informed that the two baths have different mineral compositions, so we decided to visit the public bath too with our children. (I was desperately trying to stop my children from splashing around in the bath as if it were a pool…)

The public bath features a complimentary minibar with ice cream, beer, and sports drinks. I enjoyed a post-bath beer, while my children gleefully selected soda-flavored ice cream.

The in-room bath was spacious enough for two adults and two small children, making for a delightful family experience.

Activities Before and After the Stay:

On our way from Tokyo, we stopped for lunch at the EXPASA Ebina Service Area, known for its expansive facilities and diverse dining options. Upon arriving in Hakone, we had about an hour to spare before check-in, so we visited Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, a hot spring amusement park and resort complex that also includes the popular Tenyu and Hakone Hotel Kowakien. The soba at Soba Kihinkan is also highly recommended. While we only had time to shop for souvenirs and enjoy the game center, we suggest exploring the unique hot spring theme park if time allows.

After checking out at 11 am (with a complimentary 30-minute extension due to the high volume of guests), we drove 30 minutes to Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of Japan’s largest outlet malls with about 300 stores, including high-end brands. (Hotel CLAD is inside the mall, so for those who really love shopping, staying there is also recommended.) It was the perfect time to shop for winter items on sale, and we found great deals on boots at United Arrows, a popular Japanese select shop. The kids also enjoyed shopping for Pokemon cards and cups at the Pokemon Store and Hello Kitty socks at the Sanrio Outlet. As a bonus, Gotemba Premium Outlets is known for its stunning views of Mount Fuji.

For those traveling with children who wish to explore more of Hakone, we recommend the Hakone Open-Air Museum, which features unique and engaging outdoor exhibits, a children’s playground, and foot baths. The Hakone-Yumoto Station area is perfect for a food crawl, while the famous black eggs cooked in the 80°C hot spring pools at Owakudani, accessible by the Hakone Cable Car, are a must-try. Don’t worry – only the eggshell turns black due to the iron and hydrogen sulfide in the water; the inside is just like a regular boiled egg!

Cost:

Our 1-night stay for four people cost around JPY 125,000, which we believe is a fair price for a peak month of February and a top-rated luxury hotel in Hakone.

Hospitality:

Given the hotel’s price range, it can be classified as a luxury property. However, we found the hospitality to be average for this range – neither exceptionally impressive nor never disappointing. Unless you are extremely particular, the service level should be satisfactory and will complete your stay with refreshing and pleasant feeling.

A Pleasant Surprise:

One unexpected highlight of our stay was the hotel’s original amenities. Fufu Hakone has its own exclusive brand, which includes not only shampoo and conditioner but also skincare products like toner. The scent and quality were so impressive that we purchased a bottle of toner to take home. These products are also available for online purchase through Fufu Hakone’s official website.

Overall, I give Fufu Hakone a 5-star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you don’t require buffet-style meals, this popular hotel is highly recommended for a satisfying and luxurious stay!

Booking your stay:

You can easily reserve rooms at Fufu Hakone through popular platforms like Booking.com as listed below.

We hope this post helps you choose the perfect hotel in Hakone. The staff speaks English, the website is multi-lingual, and the hotel offers currency exchange and accepts international credit cards. Reserve early, especially during peak times, and share any special needs to ensure a pleasant stay. Immerse yourself in Japanese hospitality and hot spring culture at Fufu Hakone for an unforgettable escape.

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