Hakone Kairai
Hakone / 箱根
In the Sengokuhara Highlands of Hakone, fields of silvergrass ripple around the surrounding peaks, t
The Story
In the Sengokuhara Highlands of Hakone, fields of silvergrass ripple around the surrounding peaks, their silken plumes swaying in a gentle welcome to travelers seeking respite from the lowland crowds. At the heart of this tranquil plateau—dotted with refined summer homes and intimate villas—lies Hakone Kairai, an exclusive retreat that hosts only one group per night.
Within its gates, an outdoor hot spring, manicured garden, and sun-drenched deck frame a space where traditional Japanese craftsmanship harmonizes with contemporary resort design. Classic teak furnishings, a hinoki soaking tub, and bonsai art coexist with modern comforts including a Bluetooth-equipped Finnish sauna and 4K video projector, ensuring a stay of seamless luxury. Each catered meal celebrates the region’s rich terroir, turning local ingredients into moments of exquisite delight.
With just a single reservation per night, a stay at Hakone Kairai is entirely bespoke. A dedicated concierge anticipates every need—whether the day calls for quiet seclusion or exploration of Hakone’s singular artistic traditions and volcanic landscape—guided by the insight and connections of local proprietor Kazunori Ota.
The son of the family behind a historic ryokan, Ota, grew up witnessing the profound ways in which ryokans can connect guests to the spirit of Japanese culture. His years abroad deepened his understanding of cross-cultural hospitality, inspiring him to create a property where those encounters might unfold anew. Hakone Kairai, he says, is “a small beginning” toward that vision.
Within its gates, an outdoor hot spring, manicured garden, and sun-drenched deck frame a space where traditional Japanese craftsmanship harmonizes with contemporary resort design. Classic teak furnishings, a hinoki soaking tub, and bonsai art coexist with modern comforts including a Bluetooth-equipped Finnish sauna and 4K video projector, ensuring a stay of seamless luxury. Each catered meal celebrates the region’s rich terroir, turning local ingredients into moments of exquisite delight.
With just a single reservation per night, a stay at Hakone Kairai is entirely bespoke. A dedicated concierge anticipates every need—whether the day calls for quiet seclusion or exploration of Hakone’s singular artistic traditions and volcanic landscape—guided by the insight and connections of local proprietor Kazunori Ota.
The son of the family behind a historic ryokan, Ota, grew up witnessing the profound ways in which ryokans can connect guests to the spirit of Japanese culture. His years abroad deepened his understanding of cross-cultural hospitality, inspiring him to create a property where those encounters might unfold anew. Hakone Kairai, he says, is “a small beginning” toward that vision.
FACILITIES &
SERVICES
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Cuisine
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Living Room
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Bath
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Sauna
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Japanese garden
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Deck
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Cuisine
The catered meals at Hakone Kairai are entrusted to the chef of a beloved local French restaurant, who brings his artistry to the realm of Japanese fine dining. With a meticulous eye for detail, he crafts exquisite compositions—presented in antique lacquer boxes and fine ceramics—that are as captivating to behold as they are to savor.
Premium wagyu from a venerable Sengokuhara butcher anchors both the shabu-shabu and sukiyaki courses, its richness balanced by heirloom vegetables nurtured in Hakone’s volcanic soil and the finest seasonal ingredients from across Japan. Each homemade dish embodys the spirit of ichigo ichie—the Japanese maxim to treasure every encounter and every moment as a singular, unrepeatable experience.
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Living Room
The living theater features a spacious, open ceiling and large white walls. The powerful sound will immerse you in the experience. The large windows offer a view of the Japanese garden, and the room is equipped with underfloor heating, making it comfortable even in winter.
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Bath
Hakone Kairai offers both indoor and outdoor bathing. Inside, a deep hinoki cypress tub invites unhurried immersion, its smooth grain releasing a gentle, restorative fragrance long cherished in Japan. Outside, a natural hot spring pool draws from sodium-chloride springs deep beneath the mountain, encircled by sentries of weathered volcanic stones furred with moss and tiny saplings—a living tableau of nature’s quiet persistence.
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Sauna
There is the relatively rare amenity of a custom Finnish sauna, complete with adjustable temperature, löyly stove, and a refreshing cold plunge pool. Outfitted with Bluetooth connectivity, it allows guests to envelop themselves in both steam and sound—a perfect harmony of tradition and modern ease.
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Japanese garden
An expansive garden of maples, bamboo, and pine—auspicious motifs in the Japanese artistic tradition—shelters the grounds. Their shifting hues and changing raiment mark the passage of the seasons, while glossy camellias lend a vivid touch of color even in the depths of winter. Like the gardens once kept by samurai lords, this is a private realm for contemplation and repose.
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Deck
On the deck behind the house, sun loungers, plush sofas, and a hammock chair invite languid relaxation, while a telescope for stargazing and yoga mats for gentle exercise await moments of inspiration. Between groves of cedar and bamboo, Mount Ashigara peeks through—the only witness to this secluded sanctuary, where guests can watch the slow saturation of the sunset sky each evening and sip coffee each morning to the cheerful chorus of mountain birds.
Map &
Transportation
| Closest Train Station | Miyanoshita Station | |
|---|---|---|
| Closest Bus Station | Sengoku-Kogen Bus Stop | |
| Free pick-up service | Yes | |
| Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment | ||
Key Gate Way Int'l Airport and Train (Shinkansen) Station
Ryokan Data
| Area | Hakone / 箱根 |
|---|---|
| Name of Ryokan | Hakone Kairai / 箱根懐來 |
| Address | 1246-469 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa, Japan 神奈川県足柄下郡箱根町仙石原1246-469 |
| Total Number of Rooms | 1 room(s) |
| Check-in Time | 15:00 |
| Check-Out Time | 11:00 |
| Credit Card | Yes |
Meals
| Dinner Start Time | 18:00 ~ 19:30 |
|---|---|
| Breakfast Start Time | 8:00 ~ 9:30 |
| In Room Dining Available | Yes |
| Bar | No |
| Special Dietary Arrangements | Please contact us for more information. |
| Vegan Friendly | Yes |
| Western Breakfast Available | Yes |
Other Facilities & Services
| Communal Bath | No |
|---|---|
| Family Bath | No |
| Private indoor bath in room | Yes |
| Private open-air bath in the room | Yes |
Room Rates
** The room rate is per person per night when 2 adults stay in one room. **
- The rate will change depending on the number of guests and dates. Please contact us for details.
- Ryokan rate includes a full-course dinner, breakfast, service charge, and tax.
- The mentioned rates and service are available only for LRC Members who book through The Ryokan Collection's website.
- The rates are subject to change without any prior notice.
- A particular room cannot be guaranteed in advance unless otherwise stated by The Ryokan Collection.
- The rate will change depending on the number of guests and dates. Please contact us for details.
- Ryokan rate includes a full-course dinner, breakfast, service charge, and tax.
- The mentioned rates and service are available only for LRC Members who book through The Ryokan Collection's website.
- The rates are subject to change without any prior notice.
- A particular room cannot be guaranteed in advance unless otherwise stated by The Ryokan Collection.