As other reviewers mentioned, the toilet had a bit of a smell despite being very clean.

A great experience. The meals were exceptional. The villa with a private onsen was very nice.

Stayed in January 2025

Villa was an excellent fit for our family of 4. Spacious, clean and the private open air bath was wonderful. Provided meals.were so delicious and free happy hour drinks were a great bonus.

Stayed in December 2024

Nothing

Had an amazing experience here from arriving until leaving. The staff were so lovely and make you feel very welcome when you arrive, serving you tea and mochi in the lounge while booking dinner and breakfast times etc. I had dinner and breakfast and a private outdoor bath. Was well worth it! The food was amazing and they really kindly catered for my pescatarian diet. The outdoor bath was amazing. It was so comfortable and relaxing, I would love to go back!

Stayed in January 2025

As when we went the weather was cold staying at the villa meant bracing the cold to get to the main building for dinner but the rooms are warm so it's not a huge deal I would like to suggest a kids dinner option as the food that was included was just too much to eat it all

I love the historical feel to this hotel and the building is beautiful. We stayed in a villa and had a private onsen indoor and outdoor which was sensational I can't give enough thanks to the staff there when my daughter left her bag on the bus they went above and beyond to help us retrieve it even after we have checked out

Stayed in December 2024

Bathroom sink had pink mould around the drain. Not all rooms were heated (i.e bathroom)

The location, the private hot spring, the food.

Stayed in January 2025

Steep walk to the accommodation from the dining area

Very good food

Stayed in December 2024

They went above and beyond to accommodate my two children. They provided kid meals, kid utensils, and a high chair during meal times. They had a western and Japanese option for breakfast. We stayed for two nights and had a different breakfast and dinner for both nights so it wasn’t the same food. I liked the evening drink hour that’s included in the stay. They even had a kid sized yukata. I enjoyed the spacious rooms and the helpfulness of the staff members. They answered questions we had regarding our excursions, and they also have a shuttle that goes to Gora Station to make things easier. Also, even though we stayed in the Annex, we never had to exit the main building to get to it, as the two buildings are connected. That was not obvious to me from the pictures.

Stayed in January 2025

Great dinner/breakfast. Beautiful location. 1 min walk from the bus station.

Stayed in January 2025

Kind and helpful staff

Stayed in January 2025

I didn’t realise that the inside onsen was literally just the bath and so no view. Would either suggest get a room with the outdoor onsen or no bath facilities and just use the communal onsen. In January so a bit cold in the corridors but heating fine elsewhere. We experienced a shuttle bus driver who was not very friendly. Even though the hotel indicated the shuttle bus could drop you at Open Air Museum they refused to do so. Also when I lost my phone and the only place it could have been after all options were exhausted (even though the hotel had put a call in and the drivers had said no phone found) they were not very cooperative to help out. Thankfully the manager on duty asked if I could go on and check and reluctantly they let me on and I found it - I will note it was difficult to see as slide down side of seat right at the back; but he was not a happy camper. But I don’t think employed by the hotel itself as the rest of the staff were so so helpful.

The staff went out of their way to make the stay a great experience. So kind and were so accommodating for our 2yo toddler. Plus when I misplaced my phone nearby (slipped out from back pocket whilst on the shuttle bus whilst wrangling said toddler), they went out of their way to help find it. The rooms were very spacious and comfortable. Lovely view over valley. We had the meal option. So much food! Stayed 2 nights and they mixed up the menu so no repeats. Loved the menu print outs for each meal so we knew what we were eating! Western and Japanese breakfast options. Appreciated the nightly drink option 9-10pm. They have a free shuttle bus to Gora Station that goes about every 20 minutes. Also convenient bus stop outside hotel - bus stop number 139. Great to catch for the ferry options at Lake Ashi and then to the train stations. Lots of options if you don’t have your own transport. We loved the onsite onsen.

Stayed in January 2025

There was really nothing to dislike, the only thing they could do to make it more fun is provide a different yukata for male and females instead of the same for both.

The staff were so great, from the time we arrived, a nice young gentleman came out to greet us and helped with our luggage. After checkin they showed us to our villa. The property is on the old side but we expected that as it has a nice charm to the whole place. We enjoyed our room onsen and outdoor onsen. The meals was absolutely gorgeous, both breakfast and dinner. So much food was on offer, loved it. Over all experience was 5 stars! We left very relaxed!

Stayed in December 2024

It was really cold …. It was January 😱

Everything!!!! From the room to the dinner and the guys 🙂 very gentle and kindly

Stayed in January 2025

Access to the area where the ryokan is located involves going up some very winding mountain roads either by taxi or bus. Definitely take some motion-sickness meds ahead of time! (the view is amazing, though)

Beautiful renovated ryokan with over 140 years of history. They have a little museum on an upper floor with details about the historical details of the building (signs are in Japanese only but easily translated with a phone app). You can also view a Meiji-style onsen (not in use, just for viewing only). It was fun walking around the ryokan and exploring the beautiful building--the views from the windows of the landscaped garden and mountain area are gorgeous. Our room felt private, cozy, and spacious. We booked a room with a private rotenburo (outdoor bath) in the Annex building. It was cozy and a perfect fit for our shyer family members. The ryokan also has a private onsen that you can book for free (just ask the front desk for the key). Next door is an art museum with a footbath cafe and it is a short 3~ min walk to the Yunessun Spa World with free access to their Mori no Yu onsen (beautiful outdoor baths). The dinner that came with our stay was spectacular! Family members said it was the best ryokan meal they've had so far. We stayed for 2 nights so had 2 dinners--each time came with a different style of hotpot (amazake & creamy soup base). There was so much food (meat, seafood, mushrooms, veggies) and sadly weren't able to finish everything! For breakfast you can choose either Western or Japanese style (we tried both) and they were also delicious. We enjoyed every aspect of our stay at Mikawaya and are grateful for the kind, attentive staff for making our stay so wonderful.

Stayed in January 2025

Despite most of the guests AND staff being foreigners, they discriminate against tattooed people in their main open bath hot spring facilities (onsen). I had to use a tiny private bath room due to the discrimination, although I paid full price.

Traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan) in the Hakone area. An exceptional option for vegetarians as they provide vegetarian course menu option for breakfast and dinner, which is VERY rare for ryokans.

Stayed in December 2024

Very cold at night in the winter - our rooms were warm but walking to the bathroom was very cold

Beautiful property, right across from a bus stop and has shuttle service. Excellent dinner service!

Stayed in December 2024

Everything fine

Great quality, lovely position

Stayed in January 2025

A modern ryokan offering private open-air onsen baths with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The hotel provides comfortable accommodations, traditional Japanese hospitality, and convenient access to local attractions, including plenty of hiking spots. Lovely spacious room!

Stayed in December 2024

Beds and bedding (western) were ok but comsensurate w the cost. Facilities otherwise were great

Our private villa had an outdoor and indoor hot tub; absolutely amazing.The spring water in Hakone is special. Meals were superb and great location.

Stayed in January 2025

The rooms were spacious and comfortable. I was a bit disappointed that we had twin beds in our room - we were expecting to sleep on the tatami mats. You could do that as an option, but of course the beds were in there too which killed the atmosphere rather. The whole place is very traditional Japanese hotel with lots of brown walls and uninspiring decor. I felt the onsen could have been more attractive. There are no plants nor view onto a garden. And almost all the rooms face the road (which is the case for quite a few hotels in Hakone), although it was very cold outside where we were there so we didn't have the windows open and couldn't hear any traffic.

We stayed over Christmas 2024 and opted for half board. We really enjoyed the breakfasts and the dinners. All Japanese menu but varied and delicious. I felt the food was what made this ryokan good value for money. Unless you have a car, eating out in the evening is really hard in this area, so I would opt for the half board in that situation. The staff were lovely and the hotel was very clean and warm. Having the bus stop right outside the door and another bus stop (for the route that goes past the Pola Museum) just round the corner was a big bonus if you don't have a car. You can also walk (easy, downhill) to the Open Air Sculpture Museum, which is a great place to start your sightseeing. So the location is great.

Stayed in December 2024

This is a ryokan (though a super nice one), not a 5* resort, so it's best to read up before to know what to expect

It was a delightful 2-night stay for us. The personnel make this ryokan special - they're friendly, warm and very helpful. The main building is 140 years old and is beautifully preserved. Our little Japanese-style villa was comfortable, with a private onsen bath on the terrace. Ryokan's location is hard to beat - it's some 40-45 min by bus or taxi from Odawara Shinkansen station, next door to Okada Museum of Art, Yunessun onsen complex and Horaien Gardens and 20 min walk from Hakone Open-Air Museum and Cable car/ Hakone Ropeway. Kaiseki dinners deserve special mentioning - they were beautifully arranged, plentiful in terms of quantity of food and truly delicious, making use of seasonal ingredients.

Stayed in December 2024

The staff here went above and beyond to give us an amazing experience in Hakone. We are so grateful for the wonderful service we enjoyed.

Stayed in October 2024

The only minor downside was that the villa I stayed in felt a bit cold, but it wasn’t a big deal as the hotel provided air conditioning to warm up the room. Also, a personal tip regarding the food: I’d recommend avoiding eating anything between breakfast and dinner, as the meals are quite filling and you'll want to enjoy every bite of the delicious offerings without feeling too full. If staying more than 1 day, try to blend the menu style, try the traditional Japanese meal on day one and a Western style on day two for a nice variety and a balanced experience.

I had the pleasure of staying at Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan and was thoroughly impressed by the experience. The friendly and attentive staff made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived, ensuring that all my needs were met throughout my stay. The location is lovely, it is in a serene area that provides a peaceful and very refreshing time during a busy trip. One of the highlights was the abundance of delicious food offered. The traditional meals were both plentiful and flavorful, showcasing the rich cuisine of the establishment. I considered it a very highlighted point of the stay. I felt it was a unique experience. There is a small museum, which provides fascinating insights into the ryokan's history. The natural thermal waters were a true high point of the ryokan, it was just wonderful and very relaxing. Additionally, the amenities provided in the room went above and beyond expectations. Not only were there shampoo and conditioners, but also a range of cosmetic products such as face cleansers with hyaluronic acid, such a wonderful touch! So, no need to bring much of your own supplies. Considering all these exceptional features, I found the ryokan to offer great value for money. The combination of excellent service, abundant amenities, and unique experiences made my stay in Hakone truly memorable. I wholeheartedly recommend Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan to anyone seeking an authentic and enriching Japanese experience.

Stayed in November 2024

Heating system - it was really cold in the hallway

History, architecture, and the room with a view

Stayed in December 2024

There is only one private Onsen in which many guests fight over to use. The bathroom inside the room doesn't have ventilation, and it gets freezing cold in the night. The museum looks very interesting but unfortunately all the information was in Japanese.

The food and hospitality of the staffs. The size of the room was generous compared to many Tokyo hotels.

Stayed in December 2024

My husband found the bed a little uncomfortable, and I noticed some cobwebs in the restaurant while the humidifier in our room didn’t work. Overall, however, these issues were very minor and did not impact our enjoyment of the ryokan.

The location nestled up in the mountains is absolutely stunning. The historic nature of the building has also been beautifully preserved. The food is beautifully presented and delicious!

Stayed in December 2024