Hakone Gora KARAKU
Rooftop pool with glass railing and mountain coastal view at Hakone Gora KARAKU Kanagawa Japan
Outdoor onsen bath with wooden screens overlooking mountain silhouette at dusk in Hakone, Kanagawa
Spacious lounge with sofas, low tables and refreshment counter at Hakone Gora KARAKU in Kanagawa
Symmetrical courtyard walkway flanked by greenery and stone beds at Hakone Gora KARAKU, Kanagawa with mountain backdrop
Small ceramic bowls with garnishes arranged on a wooden serving board at Hakone Gora KARAKU, Kanagawa
Assorted sashimi with wasabi and floral garnishes on a decorative plate at Hakone Gora KARAKU, Kanagawa
Spacious dining room with partitioned seating and wooden ceiling lighting at Hakone Gora KARAKU, Kanagawa

Hakone Gora KARAKU

9.3
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.3/10, based on 1,031 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 Hot Spring Town Station Access Private Onsen Public Onsen Open-Air Bath
Staff 9,2/10
Facilities 9,5/10
Cleanliness 9,6/10
Comfort 9,6/10
Value for money 8,6/10
Location 9,4/10

Ryokan highlights

A design-forward luxury ryokan in Gora with in-room open-air baths, scenic terraces, and strong dining.

Verified Gora AddressMatched exactly to 1300-8 Gora in Hakone, avoiding lookalike KARAKU properties.
Open-Air Bath RoomsEvery guest room is equipped with its own open-air bath for private soaking.
Two Dining StylesGuests can choose refined kaiseki or a grill course in separate restaurants.
Scenic TerracesWater Terrace and Forest Terrace add memorable mountain-facing spaces beyond the room.
Guest Lounge AWAIAn exclusive lounge offers flexible seating, terrace space, and complimentary free-flow hours.
Relaxing Wellness FocusPublic baths, private rental baths, and spa treatments create a strong unwind-and-reset stay.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsDining and bath time are the strongest reasons to stay here. One night works for check-in, private bath, dinner, rooftop or reservable baths, and breakfast; two nights make sense if you want a slower Gora sightseeing day around the Open-Air Museum, Gora Park, ropeway area, and a second relaxed evening at the ryokan.
Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a high-comfort Hakone onsen stay for 1–2 nights in Gora, combining easy local sightseeing with strong in-room bath privacy rather than as a long regional base.

Know before booking

Not a long baseHakone supports 1–2 nights well, but this exact Gora stay is easy to overextend if your main goal is broad regional sightseeing.
Gora is hillyThe area around Gora has steep slopes and stairs, so short distances can still feel tiring with luggage or mobility limits.
Dinner timing mattersA late arrival reduces value because the stay is built around baths, dinner, lounge time, and a slower evening rhythm.
Food allergy cautionTravelers with complex dietary restrictions should confirm carefully in advance rather than assuming flexible ryokan meal customization.

Food & drinks

Hakone Gora KARAKU at 1300-8 Gora is a luxury ryokan with a main Japanese dining room, a named grill restaurant, and a guest lounge for drinks and light bites.

Main Dining Mutsuki (on-site)
on-site

Seasonal Japanese dinner and ryokan-style breakfast.

  • Seasonal kaisekifoodContemporary Japanese multi-course meal.
  • Japanese breakfastfoodTraditional morning set.
  • Local ingredientsspecialtyHakone-area seasonal produce and seafood.
Grill Restaurant Tomura (on-site)
on-site

Live grill dining with meat and seafood courses.

  • Teppanyaki coursefoodCounter-style grilled course.
  • Selected meatsfoodCarefully chosen cuts, grilled to order.
  • Seasonal seafoodfoodSeafood cooked on the grill.
  • Live cookingspecialtyChef-led grill experience.
Guest Lounge (on-site)
on-site

Relaxed lounge for complimentary drinks and snacks.

  • Beer and winedrinkSelf-serve lounge drinks.
  • Sake and whiskydrinkJapanese and classic spirits.
  • Coffee and teadrinkHot drinks through the day.
  • Light snacksfoodSmall bites in the lounge.

Access, transport and nearby sights

Hakone Gora KARAKU is a luxury ryokan in the Gora area best reached via Gora Station, with Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto as the main rail gateways and Haneda as the most practical airport for many travelers.

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 polished luxury ryokan in Gora that stands out for private in-room open-air baths, stylish shared terraces, and very easy access to the Hakone sightseeing route. It is a strong pick for couples and comfort-focused travelers, but less ideal if you want absolute seclusion, consistently exceptional service, or the best value in Hakone.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Private bath in many room typesA major draw here is that many East and West Wing room categories include their own open-air bath, so you can enjoy onsen time without relying only on the public baths. That makes the stay especially appealing for couples or travelers who prefer more privacy.
  • Excellent base near Gora StationThe ryokan is very close to Gora Station, which makes arrival easier and helps with the classic Hakone loop toward the cable car and Owakudani area. You get a resort feel without being cut off from transport.
  • Lounge and terrace experience feels upscaleThe guest lounge and forest terrace add more than just a place to sit, with drinks and light snacks creating a relaxed post-onsen routine. These shared spaces give the property a contemporary luxury feel rather than a purely traditional one.
  • Two dining styles on siteHaving both Main Dining Mutsuki and Grill Restaurant Tomura gives the stay a more varied food setup than many ryokans with only one fixed dining experience. This can make multi-night stays feel less repetitive.
  • Spacious, modern rooms with ryokan touchesGuests often highlight the roomy layout, cleanliness, and the mix of modern comfort with Japanese-style details such as tatami elements in some rooms. It suits travelers who want a ryokan atmosphere without giving up contemporary design.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Views can vary a lot by roomNot every room delivers the same scenery, and some guests specifically felt the difference between stronger view categories and more ordinary-facing rooms. Choosing a cheaper room may reduce the wow factor.
  • Price may feel steep for one nightThis is a high-end property, and the rate can feel hard to justify if you only stay briefly and do not fully use the bath, lounge, and dining experience. Value is better when you want to slow down and spend real time in the ryokan.
  • Service consistency is not flawlessWhile many stays are praised, some recent guest feedback points to uneven front-desk or service quality. For a luxury ryokan, even occasional inconsistency can stand out.
  • Food may not suit every dietThe dining experience is often well liked, but travelers with seafood restrictions or very specific preferences may find the meal structure limiting. This matters more here because meals are part of the core experience.
  • Not the most secluded Hakone retreatIts convenience near Gora Station is useful, but it also means the setting feels less remote than ryokans tucked deeper into the mountains or forest. If total isolation is your priority, this may feel a bit too connected.

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: 7th out of 128 ryokans in Kanagawa.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
🥈 2nd Suiun 9.5/10 623
🥉 3rd Kinnotake Tonosawa (Adult Only) 9.4/10 794
4th Hakone Suishoen 9.4/10 417
5th Hananoyado Fukuya 9.4/10 408
6th Kinnotake Sengokuhara(Adult Only) 9.5/10 104
7th Hakone Gora KARAKU Current ryokan 9.3/10 1,031
8th Gyokutei 9.3/10 368
9th Hakone Kyuan 9.2/10 862
10th Ryokan Plum 9.2/10 647
11th Hot Spring Inn Hakone Suisen 9.2/10 467
12th Bansuirou Fukuzumi 9.2/10 424
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