Enjoy Hakone's Hot Springs On A Budget: 10 Onsens To Check Out

Enjoy Hakone's Hot Springs On A Budget: 10 Onsens To Check Out
Rachel
Rachel 
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Hakone is one of the most famous hot spring (onsen) resort towns in Japan, located in the southwestern part of Kanagawa prefecture. Accessible under two hours by train from Tokyo, it is a popular tourist spot to break away from the hectic city life for a relaxing onsen experience.

Most people perceive that an overnight stay in the onsen ryokan (traditional Japanese inn with hot spring bath) would be too expensive. However, there are cheaper alternatives to consider if you are on a budget. Given the convenient access of Hakone from Tokyo, you may make a day trip to soak in one of the many lovely onsens in the region. Or you may also choose to stay overnight in one of the many affordable top Airbnbs or budget ryokans instead. This still puts a Hakone private onsen day trip within easy reach. Explore the area, and discover its hidden gems. This article will guide you to the best onsen day packages and affordable ryokan and vacation rentals, so you can enjoy Hakone’s hot springs even when you’re on a budget.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on February 22, 2024.

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Explore Hakone’s hot springs in a day

If you only have a day to spare in Hakone, make sure you check out the popular hot spring resorts personally! Immerse yourself in the Japanese bathing culture and you will know why everyone loves an onsen experience. Here are the 4 best budget public baths you can explore for a day trip in Hakone:

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1. Tenzan Tohji-kyo

I have just spent most of the day totally naked in the middle of nowhere in a forest up a mountain somewhere in Japan -...

Posted by Jacqueline Cullen on Saturday, 15 April 2017

Unlike many other Japanese onsen ryokans, Tenzan Tohji-kyo welcomes guests with tattoos. Besides, with 5 male baths and 6 female baths on the premises, you will be able to hop around the different baths in this large and beautiful ryokan. Soak in the lovely artificial waterfall formed by the many hot water baths. Feel the water temperature rise as you ascend to the baths at the higher levels. Do head to the traditional sauna by rubbing some salt onto your body for a good sweat. After enjoying all the relaxing onsen baths, take a power nap at the tatami rest area just in front of the baths.

Tenzan Tohji-kyo (天山湯治郷)

Address: 208 Yumoto-jaya, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa prefecture

Price: 12.90 USD

Opening Hours: 9am - 11pm daily (enter by 10pm). Closed for 5 days in mid-December for maintenance.

Access: 10-minute shuttle bus ride (100 JPY or 1 USD) from Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Contact: +81 460-86-4126

Tenzan Tohji-kyo | Japanese only

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2. Hakone Yuryo

Hakone Yuryo Onsen is the perfect place to relax from Tokyo’s bustling streets . . . . @kyoko1903

Posted by Your Japan on Sunday, 8 December 2019

Opened since spring 2013, Hakone Yuryo is a refined public bath built on the former site of the Hakone Begonia Garden. Forget about your worries and stress as you enter the traditional hot spring resort, complete with indoor and open-air baths, sauna, and relaxation spa facilities.

While you are here to unwind and soak your troubles away, don’t forget to tuck into a hearty meal of authentic Irori cuisine affordably priced from 2,900 JPY (28.60 USD). Traditionally, Irori cuisine is cooked carefully over charcoal fire in a sunken hearth. In addition, enjoy some drinks and soft-serve ice cream at the take-out counter, or shop at the Miyagean gift shop for local specialties.

Hakone Yuryo (箱根湯寮)

Address: 4 Tonosawa, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa prefecture

Price: 13.80 USD (1,400 JPY)

Opening Hours: 10am - 9pm on weekdays, until 10pm on weekends (last entry 1 hour before closing).

Access: 3-minute free shuttle bus ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Contact: +81 427-49-1230

Hakone Yuryo | 箱根湯寮

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3. Hakone Green Plaza Hotel (from USD 159)

Hakone Green Plaza Hotel’s natural hot spring baths come from the reputable Sengokuhara Onsen in Hakone. This is a splendid location where you can marvel at the beauty of Mount Fuji while enjoying a one-of-a-kind soak in the open-air onsen. Female guests will be delighted to know that the view from the female open-air bath is especially spectacular. Do hop indoors for the equally-relaxing large indoor bath too!

After the relaxing bath, enjoy a rejuvenating massage or chill over a drink with your buddies at the Soleil Lounge in the hotel. If you want to give yourself a little treat, dine at the on-site restaurant for a delectable meal prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients.

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Hotel Green Plaza Hakone

Address: 1244-2 Sengokuhara Hakone-machi
3.98 km (2.5 mi) from The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Family rooms Non-smoking throughout Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus Lift Vending machine (drinks) Thermometers for guests provided by property Safety deposit box Free parking

4. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun

Not everyone can be at ease with wearing their birthday suits in front of so many strangers in traditional Japanese onsens. At the theme-park style Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, there is the traditional no-clothes zone as well as the Yunessun spa zone, where you can wear swimsuits and enjoy a bath with the opposite sex! There are numerous amusing baths at Yunessun spa zone. Enjoy a soak in your favourite beverages like red wine, green tea and coffee. There is also the special fish spa for fishes to nibble away the dead skin on your feet.

For an authentic Japanese bathing experience, just proceed to “Komorebi No Yu” and “Mori No Yu” (no-clothes zone) where the high-quality cypress bath and open-air bath are. Unwind from the hustles of city life as you relax in the baths amidst the scenic mountains of Hakone. This is certainly a family-friendly hot spring resort that you can spend a fulfilling day in!

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (箱根小涌園)

Address: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa prefecture

Price: From 18.80 USD (1,900 JPY)

Opening Hours: Please refer to official website

Access: Please refer to official website

Contact: +81 460-82-4141

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun

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Affordable overnight stay around Hakone

If possible, try to make time for an overnight Hakone trip so that you can enjoy the charming region at leisure. Besides the must-do onsen, Hakone is blessed with natural beauty since it is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Stay in one of these nice economical accommodations and explore the above-mentioned lovely onsens at the same time!

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5. Hakone Tent (from USD 26)

If you enjoy making new friends when on a holiday, Hakone Tent may just be the ideal choice for you. Opened in June 2014, Hakone Tent is a modern countryside onsen guest house remodelled from an old Japanese inn. Depending on your budget and preference, stay in either the dormitory (separated by gender) or private room. Just like other hostels and guest houses, feel free to use the shared kitchen or chill in the restaurant and bar and interact with other fellow travellers.

What sets Hakone Tent apart from other hostels is the natural onsen baths with water direct from the famous Owakudani hot springs. Relax in the sulfur-rich white hot water baths that is said to cure frozen shoulders, neuralgia, skin problems, blood circulation and so on. As the hot spring baths are open to guests anytime of the day, you can enjoy a curative soak for a long day out even late at night, when all other public baths are closed!

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Onsen Guesthouse HAKONE TENT

Address: Gora 1320-257
809 meters (0.6 ft) from The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Parking Restaurant Bar Terrace Non-smoking rooms Laundry Free parking Internet services

6. Susumu’s Gora Rm

Susumu’s Gora Rm is just 2 stops away from the start of Hakone Tozan Railway at Ohiradai Station. As one of Hakone’s 17 hot spring areas, there are plenty of nice public baths in the neighbourhood. Not only does the English-speaking host offer to pick you up at Ohiradai Station, he will also provide you with local tips on what to do in Hakone. The best part of it all, free ticket to the nearest hot spring is provided if you stay here! Furthermore, with the train station just a stone’s throw away, getting around to explore other sights in Hakone is very convenient too.

Susumu’s Gora Rm

Address: Ashigarashimo-gun, Hakone-machi, ohiradai, Kanagawa prefecture

Price: from 41 USD for a twin-sharing room

Number of Guests: up to 2 guests

Access: 3-minute walk from Ohiradai Station on the Hakone Tozan Line

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7. Ryokan Oyado Hakone Hachiri no Yu (from USD 40)

Located near the terminal station on the Hakone Tozan Line, Ryokan Oyado Hakone Hachiri no Yu is a new onsen ryokan opened in April 2016. Although its location is slightly off the beaten path, you are assured of a quiet and peaceful stay. Nonetheless, everything you need is within convenient access. There is an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a hearty Japanese meal. The Sengoku and Sengoku-annaisho bus stops are a 2-minute walk from the ryokan, while the supermarket and convenience store are also a short walk away. You can also explore the beautiful Hakone Gora Park and Hakone Open-Air Museum nearby.

Of course, this traditional Japanese inn has 2 on-site natural hot spring baths with milky white water that you can use anytime you wish. The onsen is known to improve your health, lower your high blood pressure and treat skin diseases. Reservations can be made at the front desk. If you prefer a private onsen in Hakone, Ryokan Oyado Hakone Hachiri no Yu has you covered.

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8. Two-story house with private onsen

Cradled in the midst of a tranquil and lush setting, this two-story house is the perfect spot for a romantic weekend getaway for the entire family. Aside from the usual package of amenities, the rental also offers an open-air wood cypress hot spring bath that guests can use without any additional cost, so you can soak in the onsen for as long as you want to! It also enjoys close proximity to a range of attractions, such as the Hakone Pora Art Museum, Glass Forest Art Museum, and the Little Prince Museum. As if those weren’t enough to entice guests, the host has also kindly provided a free pickup at the Hakone Tozan Railway Sculpture Forest station, so the accommodation will be within easy reach after a long flight!

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足柄下郡箱根町, 神奈川県, Japan
3.21 km (2.0 mi) from The Hakone Open-Air Museum
279 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire villa 2 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very stylish furniture and comfortable warm bed
the kitchen is well equipped the heating system works well the onsen fits 2 person well
the living room was lovely as well as the small balcony
the shower had great hot water and water pressure and amenities
aside from the onsen the house was clean and well-furnished with tv wifi and kitchen
Cleanliness:
very clean neat and well furnished
it was sparkling clean
very quiet and clean
the space is really clean and tidy as well as very well furnished
this place was very nice and clean
Host:
amazing host and amazing room
host is very friendly
our host went out of his way to help
host was very accommodating and helpful
the owner was very friendly and nice
Location:
house exactly as pictured lovely location with bus stop just a couple of minutes away
this was a great location for our weekend in hakone
definitely helped when the location of this unit is quite secluded
its easy to get by with the public bus
location is beautiful house is not big for 8 people
Read more reviews

9. Brand new guesthouse with sleeping pods

This property is so unique, it’s worth every ounce of adoration. It features cozy wooden sleeping pods which promise comfort and privacy at the end of a thrilling day. The friendly host is also more than happy to recommend guests the best hot springs to try out near the guesthouse, so a pleasant onsen experience is guaranteed when you opt for a stay here! Upon your return from the onsen, you can mingle around with the other guests in the bar next to the guesthouse while sipping on some local plum wine. Should you wish to explore other parts of Hakone, the Hakone Yumoto station is also within easy reach.

Brand new guesthouse with sleeping pods

Address: Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa, Japan

Price: from 73 USD

Number of guests: 2

Access: 10-minute walk from Hakone Yumoto station

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10. Izakaya Guest House (from 30.80 USD for a triple-sharing room)

Izakaya Guest House is a traditional and unassuming Japanese-style lodging strategically located near Hakone-Yumoto Station, the gateway to Hakone. Although there is no shower facility on-site, it’s not a problem when the popular Tenzan Tohji-kyo (no. 1 onsen above) is just nearby. Entrance to Tenzan, a cheap onsen in Hakone, is possible thanks to the host’s discount coupon!

For budget hearty meals in the neighbourhood. check out the on-site restaurant, or the cold soba noodle house nearby. Explore your way around town easily with useful tips from the friendly host and convenient access to public transport. With a reasonable price, great location and awesome host, Izakaya is certainly a good base for you to explore Hakone!

Izakaya Guest House

Address: Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture (see map)

Price: from 30.80 USD for a triple-sharing room

Number of Guests: up to 3 guests

Access: 10-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station

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A tight budget should not stop you from enjoying Hakone

As you can see from the list above, there are many reasonably-priced options for a day trip or overnight onsen experience in Hakone. Having a tight budget for your holiday should not stop you from enjoying the superb Hakone hot springs. Let the natural minerals of Hakone’s spring waters cleanse your mind and wash your troubles away as you enjoy your soak and marvel at the scenic beauty all around. There are just so many things to do in Hakone so go ahead and plan your trip to this mountainous town soon!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rachel has forgotten when and exactly how she caught the travel bug. What she does remember is the triumphant feeling she enjoys when she sees the fascinating world out there with her own eyes. She...Read more

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