Gyokutei
Total number of rooms: 8 | Prices start from US$
If you’re after a truly intimate ryokan experience, Gyokutei nails it. This boutique ryokan keeps things small on purpose. Only eight rooms. That means peace, space, and highly personalized attention. The standout is the kaiseki meals, served in your room. Guests constantly rave about the flavors, the attention to detail, and the presentation. Good thing? No buffet lines.
You’ll also get access to the public indoor onsen, which stays quiet and clean. Depending on the season, the garden outside your room becomes part of the show. Vibrant green in summer, deep red in autumn, pure white in winter.
Want an interesting fact? Here, you go: The grounds were once used as a retreat by Japanese nobles traveling through Hakone. The layout still reflects a sense of seclusion, privacy, and hierarchy.
