What kind of luxuary onsen resort villa is Hakone Retreat Villa 1/f?
In May, when the fresh greenery was beautiful, we decided to visit a luxury onsen resort to spend time in nature for the first time in a long time. As usual, we took the Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku Station, got off at Hakone-Yumoto, and was going to take a bus from there, but suddenly it started to pour downpour, so we took a cab. The weather forecast predicted clear skies, though. It took about 20 minutes from the station to get there. As we entered the large grounds, we saw a slope, and as we walked up, we saw a parking lot. Then a staff member waited for us in a small cabin in the parking lot, and a resort cart took us from there to our villa. There is no reception lobby. There are 11 private villas scattered throughout the grounds, each with its own private hot spring bath.
When we arrived on the grounds, the rain that had been falling earlier had stopped. Mountain weather is changeable. From here, a resort cart took us to the villa where we would be staying tonight, and out of nowhere we could hear birds chirping and the sound of running water, and a gentle breeze felt good. Looking up, the sky was a crisp blue, the sun was shining through the trees, and I could smell the scent of fresh earth. The grass and trees were wet from the rain, and their bright green color shone brighter.
We arrived at 2:00 p.m., but when we told the staff our names, they were ready and escorted us to our villa. It took us about three minutes to get to the No. 4 villa we were staying at, called Seirin. We got off the resort cart, walked down the stone steps, opened the glass door at the entrance, and walked inside to find LED lanterns for night walks. Here we took off our shoes and went up to find a spacious room with a log cabin style wood interior and modern furniture. To the left was the bedroom with twin beds, and to the right was the living room with a sofa. The very high ceilings and large windows looked out onto a bamboo grove, and in the corner of the living room was a wood stove. The room was even more beautiful than I had imagined and I couldn’t help but admire it.
On the wall to the left of the sofa, there was an audio system with bluetooth and a mini-bar. There was no TV. I think it is a waste of time to spend time watching TV in such a wonderful room. There was also a wine cooler with over 10 bottles of Italian and French wines.
First, we checked in here. Then, as it was a bit chilly, I lit the wood stove and watched the bamboo grove swaying in the gentle breeze while sipping champagne prepared in the mini-bar. The sound of the crackling wood burning was very relaxing.
After relaxing in the room for a while, we decided to take a walk on the grounds and go to communal hot spring baths. On the grounds are 11 villas and a hotel wing. Near the hotel wing, there are the communal hot spring baths, cafe, lounge, and restaurant. The café sells drinks, bread, cakes, etc. and is open to all guests. If you want to move from your villa, you can always call reception and they will take you there in a resort cart, but we wanted to walk around the area, so we walked to the cafe. It was about a 10 minute walk.
First, we decided to stop at a nice cafe. Coffee and tea are always free for guests. Take-out is also available. The menu is extensive and includes earl grey, chamonile, rooibos, ashigara tea, lemon ginger, iresh ream, honey black tea, americano, cappuccino, espresso, cafe latte, iced americano, iced cafe latte, etc. There are also cheesecakes, strawberry bavarois, green tea Matcha tarts, chocolate cakes, puddings, cream puffs, etc., for a fee. The bakery corner in the back has bagels, cheese foccacio, pizza bread, etc. Locals also came here to buy. We spent some time here, sitting by the window, having cappuccinos and cream puffs, looking at the surface of the pond reflecting the blue sky and clouds in the open ambience, in the beautiful season of young leaves.
Then we went up the stairs next to the cafe, turned right, and went straight down a long wooden path to the communal hot spring bathhouse. Once inside, there was a spacious, bright, and comfortable indoor hot spring bath and an outdoor hot spring bath with a view of the Hakone mountains. The communal baths were from a ryokan called Tawarasekikaku, which used to be located on the grounds, so the appearance of the baths from that time remained.
Then, we returned to our room, it was already past 5:00 PM. Before dinner, we headed there to take a closer look at the historical building, which used to be a ryokan but is now a kaiseki restaurant called ryotei HYOSEKI. This is a historical building worthy of a cultural asset and well worth a visit. The architecture of the sukiya style, although seemingly simple, created a deep sense of serenity through the use of advanced traditional techniques. It is about a five-minute walk from the villa where we stayed. Pulling back the elegant shoji door at the entrance, one sees flower arrangements on the right, and looking up at the ceiling, one sees lamps and beams made with traditional techniques, as well as a picture of the Emperor of Japan who stayed here when this was a ryokan. Walking through the corridors of the building, one can see that the building has been carefully maintained while retaining the appearance of those days.
After a while, it was time for dinner, and the staff showed us to a private room in the kaiseki restaurant called HYOSEKI. We felt happy to be able to dine in such a wonderful historical building. The beautifully seasonal and delicious meal was wonderful. When we left the restaurant, the night sky was cloudless and full of stars, and we returned to the villa, listening to the chirping of bell bugs.
Returning to our villa, we lit the fireplace again and watched the wood-burning fire while we played music on a high-quality Bluetooth speaker and sipped champagne, fully enjoying the moment of isolation from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The next morning, I woke up before 6:00 to enjoy a private indoor hot spring bath with a view of the bamboo grove at dawn before breakfast. The private indoor hot spring bath in our villa has large windows that can be opened, so it is very comfortable with a breeze. The screen windows were also installed, so even though I am not fond of insects, I was able to relax without worrying.
After enjoying the private hot spring bath, we headed to the same place for breakfast as yesterday’s dinner, again at the kaiseki restaurant in the historical building. We enjoyed a delicious meal while looking out over the garden. The Japanese breakfast was a standard ryokan menu in appearance, but each dish was carefully prepared.
After breakfast, we enjoyed champagne in a lounge called HYOSEKI Salon, located in the historical building, with a view of the garden. During our stay, coffee, tea, champagne, Japanese sake, and cookies were provided free of charge here. In the meantime, it was time to check out before we knew it. One night is not enough for us. After checking out, we were taken to the nearby Hakone Glass no Mori Venetian Glass Museum.
It is difficult to list any drawbacks, but I would venture to say that the villas would not be suitable for wheelchair users, as there are many stairs and steps on the grounds. Also, the large grounds can be conveniently moved on the resort carts, but on rainy or snowy days, getting around can be a hassle. Spending time in the villa with a fire in the fireplace is a luxury, but taking a walk on the grounds on a nice day is also a pleasure. Please be sure to check the weather forecast when making your booking.
Check Availability and Pricing for the villa on agoda
TOP5 Best Hotels and Ryokans with Private Onsen in Hakone
TOP5 Best Hotels and Ryokans for Families in Hakone
TOP5 Most Expensive Hotels and Ryokans in Hakone
TOP5 Best Gourmet Hotels and Ryokans in Hakone
Is the location easy to access?
There are several ways to get to the resort, but I will write about the easiest and fastest way.
If you are going from Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to JR Odawara Station. Then, board Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Togendai from the east exit of Odawara Station and get off at Tawaraishi Hakone Glass Nomorimae Bus Stop. It takes about 40min. From the bus stop to the property is a 5-minute walk.
Alternatively, take Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. From there, transfer to Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Togendai and get off at Tawaraishi Hakone Glass Nomorimae Bus Stop. The trip takes about 25 minutes
If this is your first visit to Hakone, you may be worried about where you should get off, so you may want to show the below Japanese sentence to a bus driver when you get on a bus.
Please let me know when you reach “Tawaraishi Hakone Glass Nomorimae Bus Stop”.
If you are still unsure about the above access information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the space below.
If you take a cab from Hakone-Yumoto Station to the property, it costs around JPY4,500.
Then, if you are taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to JR Odawara Station, you need to pay attention to your luggage. Please check here for details. When boarding the Shinkansen, luggage whose total of three sides exceeds 160 cm requires advance reservation of a seat with an oversized luggage space. Baby strollers, musical instruments, bicycles, surfboards, etc. are excluded. Items may be brought in as long as they are placed in a special bag and can stand up.
Passengers bringing oversized baggage without an advance reservation will be charged a carry-on fee of 1,000 JPY. In such cases, the baggage needs to be placed in an area designated by the crew. Also, large luggage is not allowed in unreserved seats on the Shinkansen. Then, children under 6 years old usually do not need a ticket, but if a preschooler uses the Shinkansen, a reserved seat ticket for preschoolers is required to be purchased.
On Odakyu Romancecars, the size of luggage is limited to a total of no more than 250 centimeters on three sides and no longer than 2 meters in length. The weight is limited to 30 kg, and up to two pieces may be carried on board as long as they do not interfere with the operation of the train or inconvenience other passengers. Exercise equipment such as ski boards, snowboards, bicycles, etc. may be brought in as long as they are placed in a special bag and can stand up. Strollers are folded and placed in front of the seats. Then normally, children under 6 years of age do not need a ticket, but when using a seat on an Odakyu Romancecar, a child’s express ticket and a ticket for children are required. However, if you hold a child on your lap, a limited express ticket and a boarding pass are not required. Please refer to the info.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Hakone?
If you are looking for a nice place for a special occasion, the property would be one of the best. If you request in advance, the staff can arrange a cake to celebrate your anniversary for an additional fee.
TOP5 Best Romantic Hotels and Ryokans in Hakone
Rooms I would recommend?
Personally, I found the villa called seirin at No. 4. a very nice space. You probably can’t specify the villa you want to stay in, but I requested when I made the booking that it should be a bright room.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, T-shirts, sweatpants, hooded sweatshirts, bathrobes, pajamas, a coffee mill set, a green tea set, and a complimentary minibar including beer, wine, champagne, etc. Drinks in the minibar can be replenished free of charge if you ask the staff. Also, there are omnisens and Mt.Sapola amenities in the bathroom. There is no TV. Free Wi-Fi reception was good in our room. Also, a CD player, a DENON audio, a telescope, and an air cleaner are placed.
Then this is child-friendly. Bed guards, diaper pots, and baby baths can be provided if you request in advacne.
Room service is available. You can order Sandwich box, special steak box, Unagi Seiromushi, Sushi, cake set, etc.
How about In-house Facilities?
The café on the grounds offers complimentary espresso, americano, cappuccino, and caffe latte, etc.
There is a lounge with a terrace called “Free Bird” near the cafe. It had books, audio speakers, and an astronomical telescope. Complimentary cup noodles, snacks, coffee, and tea, etc., are available at the lounge.
HYOSEKI, a Japanese-style restaurant in a historical building, also has a salon that resembles a lounge. Only guests stay at the villas are avialble.
Then there are communal hot spring baths on the grounds. They are open from 6:00-10:00, 14:00-25:00. Staff sends you to the communal bath area by resort cart. It takes about 10 minutes on foot. *Please note that children without diapers cannot use the communal baths.
There is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
Then this is not a universal design. There were many steps and gravel paths in some areas. If you are bringing someone with weak legs, let the staff know in advance and they will arrange a villa with less mobility. Once in the villa, there is a wonderful private hot spring bath, so there will be little need to move around during your stay.
TOP5 Best Accessible Hotels and Ryokans in Hakone
How about meals?
You can choose either kaiseki cuisine or French cuisine on the grounds. French cuisine is only available as a course meal. A la carte is not available. Please inform the staff at least 3 days prior to your stay for dinner. In addition, room service is available.
For preschool children, they offer hearty kid’s dishes such as hamburgers, fried shrimp, fries, salads, soups, and more.
*Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request it on that day. Then, as far as I know, there wouldn’t be nice restaurants within walking distance. You may want to have meals on the grounds unless you have a car.
My impressions
This time we visited during the beautiful season of fresh greenery, so next time we would like to visit in the fall when the leaves are beautifully changing color.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Hakone Retreat Villa 1/f from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the villa on agoda
Info about Hakone Retreat Villa 1/f
| Style | Luxury Mountain Villa |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/12:00 |
| Estimated Price | 120,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
reserv@hakone-retreat.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the villas |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are not available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available Valet parking is available |
| Location | Hakone Retreat Villa 1/f’s MAP |
| Access | Refer to the above |
| Address and TEL | Tel +81 |
| Official Homepage | Hakone Retreat Villa 1/f’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
Still not sure where to stay in Hakone?
Browse through our TOP5 Ranking Lists of all the best places to stay in Hakone.
Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.