I have written about my favourite day trip to Hakone and Lake Ashi with kids ( fab Mt Fuji views too.)
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
But if you decide to stay, here are some of my favourite places to stay in Hakone with my kids.
Hands down, my most favourite is Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa. I’ve written in detail about this hotel here.
Hotel Indigo in Hakone is a fabulous place for families too. Kids are given a little toiletry set and a sweet upon check-in too.
And another hotel option is on the shores of Lake Ashi – Prince Hotel Lake Ashinoko has ( on a clear day) magical views of the lake AND Mt Fuji. This hotel also has an onsen. The interior of the hotel is quite old – but in a charming countryside way. They also have a shuttle to collect guests from Odawara Station, West Exit – the shuttle needs to be reserved (it’s only for hotel guests) at least 2 days in advance here.
And for a ryokan, I recommend Yoshiike Ryokan in Hakone Yumoto.
There are several types of hot springs avaialble within this ryokan . A mens only onsen, a women’s only onsen, a private onsen for families or couple to rent by the session (additional charge to use). It is possible to use only the onsen facilities as part of a day trip to Hakone (2,200 yen for adults and 1,650 yen for children between 1pm and 10pm.) A reminder that, of course, onsens require full nudity – no swimsuits allowed.
When staying here, you can choose to eat at the hotel or organize your own meals at other restaurants instead.
This ryokan warmly welcomes babies, toddlers and children.
Hakone Onsen Ryokan Yaeikan
This beautiful Ryokan welcomes families and, unlike some ryokans in the area, it is very easy to access as you take the train to Hakone Yumoto Station and then the “various Ryokans in the area” shuttle to your property for 100 yen per person (from the station you could walk for 5 mins instead but I don’t recommend walking around mountainous and narrow streets in Hakone with suitcases.) The shuttle is orange and white and you can see a picture of it on the Hakone Onsen Ryokan website here. There are two beautiful public onsens to choose from and one smaller option that you can reserve to use just as a family by the hour (no swimwear allowed at anytime, of course.) Like almost all onsens, the mens and womens side changes for morning and night so that everyone who stays for the night has the chance to try the different onsen options. Sorry but no tattoos allowed here.
Dinner and breakfast are made using seasonal ingredients and the presentation alone is stunning. They do have a children’s menu so please email in advance to request kids meals. This hotel also provides slippers and yukata for children to use during their stay. The ryokan is able to provide a vegetarian menu if given advance notice. Please note that the amount of food in your meals is so generous and you will have a proper traditional Japanese feast!
You can also reserve an aroma massage during your stay.
This ryokan can cater to as many as 8 people in one room (and many of those rooms have their own private onsen too!)
If you have a car or take a taxi, this playground is just 10 mins drive from here.
Kai Hakone is one of the gorgeous Hoshinoya properties. Kai Hakone welcome young families. (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RYOKAN IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS UNTIL JULY 2025 THEIR SITE IS STILL LIVE AND THEY CAN STILL ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING TRAVEL AFTER THAT DATE)
The facilities here are outstanding (the onsen too.) Ask ahead for kids meals as this ryokan are happy to rice and chicken dishes for kids.
Hotel Kanansui in Gora, Hakone are an amazing choice if you need gluten free options. They can cater for coeliac guests for a traditional kaiseki dinner AND breakfast daily. They also use local ingredients. This is a very simple hotel but has lovely food options and lovely green views. The staff here will collect you from the station. The food is the highlight but also some of their rooms can accommodate as many as 9 people.
Hakone Yutowa is a beautiful place to stay for families. If you have allergies or are coeliac/ gluten free the breakfast is marked clearly with allergens and (if given advance notice) they can bring dinner options out without sauces or marinades etc. The hotel has a reading library and a fire pit so its the perfect place to just stop moving and relax for this part of your Japan holiday. There is also a kids playroom with blocks and some other toys and a “play lounge” for bigger kids with board games and jenga. In the library section, soft drinks and tea are provided free for guests at any time – and unlimited alcoholic drinks from 7pm – 10pm.
This hotel has a public bath but also a smaller bath that you can rent for just you and your family for 30 mins at a time (perfect if you don’t yet feel comfortable getting naked in front of strangers – please note: NO swimsuits allowed in the baths at any time. If you don’t want to go naked then best skip these baths all together and just make use of your in room facilities.) Some rooms can accommodate up to 5 people.
Hotel Okada is another fabulous option for families. Many of their rooms offer western style bedding as an alternative to futons (for those who don’t like the idea of sleeping on futons – we, personally, love it but I know it’s not an option for everyone.) This ryokan hotel is also incredible for staying at with a baby- you can ask to rent items such as a baby bath, a diaper bin, a toilet training seat to go on the toilet and many more – see the full list of all the options for babies at Hotel Okada here. Hotel Okada is really easy to access too – they have a shuttle from Hakone Yumoto Station for 200 yen per person (or you can take a taxi.)
There is a rooftop foot spa on the 8th floor and you can take in the green views of Hakone from up there while warming and relaxing your feet. There are also two restaurants within the hotel.
They also have in-house karaoke rooms to rent and a pool for summertime (open only late July – late August).
SEE HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING KIDS OUT TO KARAOKE IN JAPAN.
The hotel also has a table tennis table for guests to use and a small game arcade. There are 5 hot spring baths within the hotel. Please note that no swimwear is allowed.
You can also rent a smaller bath for 45 mins at a time to use with just your family– as a private booking (please note that no swimwear is allowed.) *Some rooms also have their own private onsen baths.
This hotel can accommodate up to 7 people in a room (although 5 adults max.)
Please note that if you have special dietary requirements, you will need to give the hotel as much notice as possible.
I recommend staying here and just having down time for 1-2 nights.
Toki no Yu Setsugetsuka (some sites refer to it just as “Setsugetsuka”) welcome children and you can select a room with your own private open air bath on your family (even though it is private – still no bathing suits allowed, of course.) There are also 3 communal baths on the property for guests to use – separated by gender. This ryokan is just across the road from Gora Station. They provide in-house use yukata for trips to and from the public baths and also to sleep in. After the public bath you can help yourself to a complimentary popsicle in the evenings and a complimentary yakult in the morning. Rooms can accommodate families of 4 ( more if your children are young enough to bed share.)
If you drive to Hakone, I recommend also checking out this lovely open playground for kids.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
