Hotel Kagetsuen

The staff were very friendly and allowed me to check in early (which, after arriving via ropeway, was very much appreciated). They explained when the local restaurants closed and how I can book a table with them. The private baths were also very relaxing and they had a wide selection of wash products to go with it. The hotel is located right next to a beautiful view of Mt Fuji and a bus stop. One thing to note: I accidentally left behind a postcard to my family before I checked out. The postcard had a stamp and address on it, and the hotel posted it for me without me having to ask. Very much appreciated.

Minor nit-pick, but when the staff cleaned my room they opened the blocking curtains. There were nights where I forgot to close them and woke up early to the bright June sun. Not something to blame, but my advice is to remember to check your curtains.

Four person room was clean and spacious with en suite toilet and shower facilities. Good breakfast buffet with Western and Japanese food options. Odakyu Highway Bus from Shinjuku stops right at the front entrance of the hotel (南温泉荘 / Minami-onsen station). Great for travellers with luggage 24 hour hot spring facilities including private hot spring baths that can be used at any time with no reservation required.

Hotel was a little bit old fashioned and run down in places Far from most of Hakone's attractions although there are several public transportation options (but check the timetables because most lines stop fairly early) No restaurants open close by so best to book dinner in hotel or bring in food from outside to eat in room.

Location- central to so many attractions, we had a car and spent 2 days exploring, we could easily have stayed another night, as there was so much to see and do. Touristy, but we loved it! -You could easily walk to bus stop and visitors centre if you don't have a car Room- huge, and recently renovated on the top floor, with a Tatami area for sitting, dining and bedding supplied for 2 extra persons sleeping on Tatami). Bedding- 2 Single Beds which felt like King singles, and 2 ?Futon/Tatami beds Bathroom- modern, separate toilet. Vanity mirror with seat in main bedroom, as well as 2 chairs and small table can in handy for sitting reading, coffee and a drink in the evening. Storage cupboard- we could store our suitcases easily, and had a safe to lock our valuables. Lighting- many options from overhead on bedhead, mirror etc, and even dimmable in Tatami area The view out onto the front garden was beautiful, and made more beautiful from fresh snow overnight. Breakfast- standard buffet that we found elsewhere in Japan, large range of Western and Japanese hot and cold choices. For Japanese standards (we have experienced several times) this room was great in size, room to comfortably move around, for 2 tall Australians, we had several comfortable seating options. Its 'the little things' that make a stay special, such as the cookies, and tea set, not to mention the beautiful gowns to wear in room, I haven't even mentioned the 3 private onsens, which we never had to wait for, which we loved after a cold rainy day. Would stay here again!

Disliked · Although our room was non-smoking, you could still smell cigarette smoke on our floor. Shower was a tiny cubicle, with door, limited room to move and no toiletry space, so had to put items on the floor

My husband and I stayed for three nights while dependent on public transportation. The location is next to a bus stop, 15-20 mins away from the busy town and walking distance to Lake Ashi. We arrived in the evening, after restaurants had closed in town. We feared going hungry until we jumped off a bus at 7-eleven and grabbed dinner food, the property had a microwave, hot water and chopsticks. We had a “garden view” room and on a clear day could see Mt Fuji. The private onsens were always available whenever we wanted a soak, no reservations required. The breakfast was nice as restaurants are a 10-15 min bus ride away. Due to location of the hotel, I highly recommend the Hakone free pass. We were able to utilize multiple transportations for three days to see the all the sites. Hiking trails are walking distance from the hotel.

Many reviewers talk about the out dated property. If you are used to fancy 5-star hotels then this is not the place for you. However, if you want onsens, comfy room, views, and a moment to get away from busy Japan and don’t mind an aging hotel then this is the place for you.

Onsen was great, breakfast (buffet style) was great. Within walking distance of both bus stop, cable car station, and visitor information center if you are traveling using public transportation. Nice view of the countryside, including Fuji, from our window.

Dinner was great, the wait staff was wonderful, but if you're palate is not used to traditional Japanese fare, (We're from the U.S.) you might find yourself passing over some of the courses; it was a set multi-course menu. We're just not used to fish stew! There was some construction/renovations happening in the lobby area, but it wasn't disruptive to our stay.

staff was very supportive and helpful, i checked my luggage early and it was waiting in my room. they helped me use a courier service to make it easier to get back to shinjuku, since i didn’t have luggage i was free to explore hakone via boat and gondola. dinner was fully booked the night of my stay, but they booked me a free taxi to and from a local soba restaurant that even had tempura made from seasonal mountain vegetables. the baths and amenities exceeded expectations

my only wish is that they sold the yukata in the gift shop, the pattern on mine was beautiful!

difficult to get to lunch and dinner nearby. off-season?

We are perfectly happy with our stay at Kagetsuen, and highly recommend this hotel! I will just mention some of the highlights: nicely sized and very comfortable room, cleaned daily and even too much as they insist on changing bed linen daily, which is completely unnecessary; private mineral baths for which we never had to wait or make a reservation; very good breakfast with many choices; kind staff; exceptional cleanliness; 1 minute walk from the bus stop, but we walked to museums and villages as well; and finally, a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji! True, the hotel is not very new but the furniture and design from a few decades ago give it a nostalgic feel. Where else in the world do you have a dial phone from which you can make international calls and call other rooms? 😃 As I said, everything is functional, and we enjoyed our stay very much, thank you!

The only thing is that Japan is still operating under covid rules, so there are multiple precautions you encounter nowhere else any more, but the hotel cannot decide on this alone, as most Japanese people wear masks even when they walk outside.

Friendly staff, public and private onsen bath options. Rooms are cute and the hotel is not new but is reformed so its clean and comfortable. There is a bus station right in front of the hotel. T

I was disappointed to see that the ladies public bath was closed before the announce closing time ; it was supposed to close at 11am and I went there at 10am just to see that they were already cleaning it...

Friendly and helpful front desk gentleman who help us with our check-in, queries on itinerary and departure timings, etc. We would like to comment him for his good service. Private onsen was a good experience for the family. The family also enjoy the buffet breakfast which included some Japanese flavours.

Nothing about the hotel. Rain for the two days while we were in Hakone. Sunshine when we were leaving and we got a good view of Mount Fuji at the bus stop.