Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan
Tatami room with beds, shoji screens and sliding doors opening to a small balcony
Wash basins and lockers in Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan bathhouse changing room Kanagawa
Indoor onsen bath at Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan in Kanagawa, Kantō, Japan
Traditional tatami room with low table, shoji screens and garden view at Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan in Kanagawa
Stone steps and lanterns leading to Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan entrance in Kanagawa at dusk
Tatami room with wooden balcony bath and sliding screens at Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan, Kanagawa Japan
Outdoor wooden bath with water spout and tall wooden walls at Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan, Kanagawa

Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan

8.9
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.9/10, based on 1,309 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM
Mountain Setting Garden Setting Hot Spring Town Private Onsen Public Onsen Open-Air Bath
Staff 9,1/10
Facilities 8,9/10
Cleanliness 9,1/10
Comfort 9,1/10
Value for money 8,3/10
Location 8,9/10

Ryokan highlights

Historic Hakone ryokan in Kowakudani with hot springs, mountain scenery, and classic cultural character.

Historic Ryokan SettingLong-established inn with preserved heritage character and a distinctly traditional Hakone atmosphere.
Multiple Onsen OptionsGuests can enjoy public baths, private baths, and some rooms with open-air onsen.
Mountain-Facing AtmosphereThe property faces Hakone’s mountains, adding a calm scenic backdrop to the stay.
Convenient Bus AccessAbout 20 minutes from Hakone-Yumoto Station, with a short walk from Horaien bus stop.
Japanese Seasonal DiningDinner features seasonal local ingredients, with Japanese-style breakfast served at the restaurant.
Smaller, Quiet ScaleWith only 25 rooms, it offers a more intimate and relaxed ryokan experience.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsDining and onsen are the strongest stay drivers here: arrive mid-afternoon, use the baths before dinner, enjoy the ryokan dinner and breakfast, then spend the next day on nearby Hakone sights before moving on.
Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1-night or relaxed 2-night Hakone onsen stay for travelers who want a historic ryokan in Kowakudani with easy access to a few nearby sights, not as a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Limited long-stay baseGood for a short Hakone stop, but the immediate area does not justify many nights unless you mainly want to rest and bathe.
Bus-dependent arrivalAccess is straightforward from Hakone-Yumoto, but most travelers will rely on bus connections rather than a simple station-front location.
Check-out rhythmWith 10:00 check-out, slow morning bathers should plan packing early or the departure can feel rushed.

Food & drinks

Verified historic ryokan at 503 Kowakudani with on-site breakfast, dinner, and cafe dining, plus nearby Hakone Kowakien venues.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Main ryokan venue for breakfast and dinner.

  • Japanese breakfast setfoodSet breakfast with local ingredients.
  • Soy milk hot potspecialtyHimenomizu soy milk hot pot.
  • Mikawaya hot potspecialtySeasonal local ingredient hot pot.
  • Japanese dishesfoodTraditional dinner side dishes.
  • Shojin cuisine planspecialtyVegetarian temple-style course on some plans.
Mikawaya Cafe (on-site)
on-site

Taisho-style lounge cafe in the main building for lunch.

  • Goten chicken kamameshifoodRice pot set with sides.
  • Signature curryfoodKowakien curry lunch plate.
  • Pepperoni pizzafoodPizza with fries.
  • Seafood pizzafoodSeafood-topped pizza with fries.
  • Fried chicken wingsfoodSmall share plate.
Soba Kihinkan (nearby)
nearby5 min walk

Historic soba restaurant in the Yunessun area.

  • Soba noodlesfoodJapanese buckwheat noodles.
  • Cold sobafoodChilled soba option.
  • Tempura sobafoodSoba with tempura style pairing.
  • Japanese set mealfoodSimple local meal courses.

Access, transport and nearby sights

A historic ryokan in Hakone's Kowakudani/Kowakien area, best reached via Hakone-Yumoto or Odawara followed by bus or taxi, with Gora and Kowakidani also useful nearby rail access points.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Should you choose this ryokan?

A strong pick if you want a classic Hakone ryokan with real historical character, multiple onsen options, and easy access to Kowakudani sights. It is less ideal if you expect sleek modern luxury, step-out train convenience, or perfectly updated interiors throughout.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Historic ryokan atmosphereThis is a long-established ryokan with genuine old-Hakone character, so the stay feels more distinctive than a standard modern resort. The heritage setting adds a sense of place that suits travelers wanting a traditional experience.
  • Rooms with private hot spring optionsSeveral room types include private open-air or indoor onsen baths, which is a major advantage if you want quiet soaking time without relying only on the public bath. It gives couples and privacy-focused travelers a more special in-room experience.
  • Extra bathing variety nearbyGuests can also use the nearby Morinoyu bath, adding another onsen experience beyond the ryokan’s own facilities. That makes the stay feel richer if hot springs are one of your main reasons for booking Hakone.
  • Convenient for Kowakudani sightseeingThe ryokan is well placed for places like Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, the Okada Museum of Art, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum. It works well if you want a ryokan stay that still lets you explore nearby attractions without long transfers.
  • Good range of room layoutsThe property offers different styles, from classic Japanese rooms to annex rooms and villa-style options with more space. This flexibility is useful for couples, small groups, or families who want a more tailored stay.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not the easiest rail-based locationAccess is more bus-oriented than train-doorstep convenient, so arrival can feel less straightforward with luggage. If you want a ryokan immediately beside a station, this may feel slightly inconvenient.
  • Aged look may feel worn to someIts historic charm also means parts of the property can feel old-fashioned rather than polished. Travelers expecting freshly renovated luxury may find the atmosphere more nostalgic than refined.
  • Not every room has its own bathSome rooms do not include a private bath and require guests to use the communal facilities instead. That matters if an in-room onsen is a must-have, because you need to choose the room category carefully.
  • Traditional style over contemporary comfortThis ryokan leans into a classic Japanese stay, which may mean less of the sleek design and hotel-style convenience some travelers prefer. It is a better fit for atmosphere seekers than for guests wanting a highly modern resort feel.
  • Best value depends on using the onsen stay fullyThe appeal here is strongly tied to soaking, slowing down, and enjoying the ryokan itself. If you mostly want a simple sightseeing base and will spend little time on property, the experience may feel underused for the price.

Ranking around this ryokan in Kanagawa

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 43rd out of 128 ryokans in Kanagawa.

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42nd Mizu no Kaori 9.0/10 68
43rd Hakone Kowakien Mikawaya Ryokan Current ryokan 8.9/10 1,309
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