Yutorelo-an ANNEX — Hotel in Hakone

My family and I (2 adults, 2 kids under 9 years old) recently stayed at the Yutorelo-an Annex in Gora, Hakone. Having rad a mixed bag of reviews about the place, I was a bit worried about our stay, but I needn’t have been. The staff were friendly and helpful, and spoke English. The lobby wasn’t much, but we didn’t come to stay in the lobby so this wasn’t a problem for us. Our room was amazing. We were all so impressed. Large and light, traditional with tatami flooring and lovely blinds on the balcony windows. We loved getting our beds ready at night. It was clean and had everything we needed. The kitchen doesn’t have any cutlery or utensils though, and no plates or bowls (just a Japanese teapot and small tea bowls/cups). There is a fridge, a microwave and a kettle. Just be prepared. We had a few of our own things so it wasn’t a problem for us. At the hotel, there is also an onsen, which we really loved. You can get a yukata from the lobby area, and the obi (belt) is in the room. We enjoyed going to the onsen each night. It was practically empty, but we went early evening (at 6.30pm). Great experience for us all. The onsen has separate male and female areas. Yutorelo-an Annex is in a great location - half way up the cable car hill. It is a steep and long climb from Gora Station. When we arrived with our kids and our luggage and looked up the hill we needed to climb to get to the hotel, we thought no way! So we got a taxi which wasn’t that expensive. However, it is just as easy to get the cable car up the hill. Just get off the train and then get on the cable car. You get off at Naka-Gora station which is about 3 or 4 stops up. The hotel is just around the corner. We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel and will certainly recommend...

Yutorelo-an Annex in Gora Hakone offers a peaceful ryokan-style stay with a location that’s hard to beat—just steps from the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, making it super convenient for exploring the area’s scenic hills and attractions. The hotel was renovated and reopened in October 2016, and it blends traditional Japanese hospitality with modern comforts.

The rooms are impressively spacious, especially for a ryokan, and ours came with a beautiful mountain view that added to the tranquil vibe. It’s a great value for the price, especially if you’re traveling with family or a small group.

One of the highlights was the onsen. Though small, it was clean, relaxing, and—best of all—tattoo-friendly, which can be rare in Japan. I had the entire bath to myself, making it a truly serene experience after a long day.

However, there were a few hiccups. First, everything in the area closes early, so plan your meals ahead. We made the mistake of arriving without dinner plans and had to hunt down a pizza place nearby—thankfully we found one, but the uphill walk back to the hotel was no joke!

Also, a word of caution: the hotel’s promotional photo showing a waterpark is misleading. There is no waterpark on-site, and it’s unclear why that image is being used. If you’re booking based on that amenity, you’ll be disappointed.

Despite that, Yutorelo-an Annex is a charming and quiet retreat with easy access to Hakone’s highlights like Gora Park and the Open-Air Museum. If you’re looking for a spacious ryokan experience with a convenient location and don’t mind planning meals ahead, it’s a...

Check in was quick with friendly staff. Although the lobby was awful and unattractive, we didn't pay for the lobby. We paid for the room. And the room is fantastic!! It's huge. 3x bigger than the average Japanese room. It has a cute mini kitchen with teapot, mini stove and bowls. Our kids had fun making our futon beds. I slept like a baby in tatami floor. Our room was in the corner so we had 180 degrees view of the mountains and the valley below. We luckily glimpsed the sunrise right in our kitchen/porch. This place is a secret gem. It's up the hill. We took the taxi from the train station. Cost about $10. It's all worth it bec this place is hard to find. There are several restaurants down below the property. It's not that far to go down but maybe a little challenge to go back up. Keep in mind the restaurants are not open daily (open only 5 days/week) which I find it inconvenient but just be prepared. Buy lots of food in the train station before taking the taxi to the property. The hotspring area is big and quite. I was lucky to be the only one that night. We love this place. We will make this our vacation home away from civilization. Free wifi...