Hot spring ryokan stay

In our opinion, spending a night or two at a traditional Japanese inn, called a ryokan, is an absolute must on any honeymoon to Japan. Have a look at our honeymoon accommodation section for some of our favourites – hand-picked for their romantic private baths, fabulous views, impeccable service and delicious food.

No trip to Japan would be complete without at least one night in a ryokan or traditional Japanese inn. Hakone National Park has a wide range of ryokan in all price bands and is the ideal place for this experience. At first staying in a ryokan may feel a little intimidating with unfamiliar rules of social etiquette, but thanks to the famous Japanese hospitality ryokan staff will soon make your feel at home.

At a ryokan you'll be staying in a Japanese style room with sliding fusuma doors, tatami mat flooring and sleeping on futon mattresses placed directly on to the floor (very thick and comfortable Japanese futon are too, we promise!). On arrival your room will look rather empty apart from a low table where your kimono wearing host may serve you green tea. Cotton yukata dressing gowns are provided for guests to wear around the ryokan and we recommend slipping into your robe on arrival, then heading down the corridor for a soak in a hot spring bath. Hakone is famous for its natural hot springs and many ryokan have outdoor onsen baths. Although some ryokan have private en-suite baths, most are communal although men and women bathe separately.

In Japan some of the best chefs work in ryokan and so dinner is included in your stay. (In fact there are very few restaurants open in Hakone in the evening as everyone eats at their ryokan.) At higher end ryokan dinner is served privately in your room, and will consist of around a dozen intricate dishes (so if you don't like something, there will be plenty you can eat!).  When it's time for bed, ryokan staff will come and lay out your futon for you including thick duvets and extra blankets in winter. Oyasuminasai, sweet dreams!