4-Star Hotels in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

A relatively old hot spring hotel, run by an elderly Japanese couple, and an auntie-like waiter. The overall experience is average, mainly because it is too old, the facilities are very old, and the hot spring is very small; it is far from Yumoto Station, the shuttle bus does not operate after 5 pm, the hotel does not have a pick-up service, the suitcase is large, and it is difficult to bring children Not recommended by tourists.

[Fufu Hakone: A Luxurious Mountain Escape] Fufu Hakone is located in the quiet Gora region and seamlessly blends modern comforts with traditional Japanese ryokan hospitality. The property stands out for its unique dual hot spring experiences, providing private balcony baths with clear mineral water in every suite alongside communal pools filled with therapeutic, milky-white sulfur volcanic water. We had a wonderful one-night stay at Fufu Hakone on 28 May 2026, which included a Kaiseki dinner and breakfast. [Getting There] Our journey began with a midnight flight from Singapore, reaching Tokyo at 9:00 AM. From there, we caught the Narita Express and changed to the Tokaido Shinkansen to travel to Odawara, before making our way up to Gora. We arrived at Gora Station close to 3:00 PM to find it drizzling. Unfortunately, local taxis were completely unavailable and we could not find any vehicles on the GO app. Fortunately, we managed to get into the shelter of the tourist information centre. The lady on duty was incredibly helpful, assisting us to call Fufu Hakone for a pickup and directing us to the exact area where hotel shuttle services operate. We highly recommend that you do not attempt to walk to the resort from the station, especially in poor weather. [Arrival Experience] The moment we arrived at the resort, we were met with warm smiles and greetings. We were guided to the reception area located on the second level of the front building and seated comfortably in the lounge, where we were served hot tea. A designated staff member came over to complete our check-in process and then escorted us to our room in the guest building. The level of attentiveness was outstanding. The staff member explained every single detail in the room, including the layout of the suite, the private balcony onsen, the water temperature controls, the television, and the mini-bar, which is entirely complimentary. They also carefully went through our dinner order, taking down all of our personal preferences, likes, and dislikes. [The Suite] Our suite, named 楢の芽 (Naranome), was located on the third level. Rather than trying to describe the beautiful layout in words, I will let the accompanying photos speak for themselves. The room features two super-single beds that are incredibly fluffy and soft, with each bed featuring two plush pillows to guarantee a perfect night of sleep. The resort provided both pyjamas and a two-piece samue yukata for our stay. The pyjamas are strictly for use inside the room, while the samue yukata is intended to be worn when exploring the public areas of the property. [Dinner and Breakfast] Both the Kaiseki dinner and the breakfast were exceptional. Because many of the exquisite dishes feature seasonal ingredients that change throughout the year, please refer to my photos for a visual look at what was served during our stay. [The Ultimate Onsen Routine] To make the most of the dual hot springs, I highly recommend this routine: - Welcome Soak: Start with the light and refreshing clear mineral water on your private balcony to gently wash away travel fatigue before dinner. - Dinner and Rest: Enjoy your Kaiseki meal, then return to your suite to digest comfortably for a few hours. - Nightcap Soak: End the evening in the communal baths. The thick, milky-white sulphur volcanic water melts away muscle tension and deeply relaxes the body before sleep. [Areas for Improvement] While the stay was mostly flawless, there are two minor points to note: - Toothbrush Set: The provided toothbrush set was rather small for my liking. It felt like it took ages to finish brushing my teeth. You should definitely bring your own if this is a concern for you. - Room Attire: The two-piece samue yukata was not comfortable at all. It is not mandatory to wear it around the property, but we chose to do so anyway to fully immerse ourselves in the traditional ryokan culture.

The food spread was fantastic, with a free flow of salmon, beef, and ice cream! My friend even ordered an extra bottle of beer. It's a two-meal-per-night stay, and while there isn't much commercial activity around, so evenings are pretty quiet with nothing much to browse, we mostly just enjoyed the hot springs. It's not like staying in the town center where you can explore many places at night, but other than that, there are no real downsides – I personally quite enjoyed it. If you're planning to take the cable car back with your rail pass, make sure to time it right and get there before 5 PM, or you'll miss it!

The location is fantastic! It's just a 5-minute walk south from Keikyu Kawasaki Station, and right next to JR Kawasaki Station on the south side. The hotel is in the same building as the LeFront shopping mall. From the hotel's second-floor elevator, you can take a skywalk over the train tracks; turn right to reach the JR Kawasaki Station concourse, or left to get to Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall. You can also exit the hotel on the ground floor and walk for just two to three minutes. It's right next to Atre shopping mall, which has supermarkets of all sizes, and a huge variety of restaurants. Azona is also very close by. The hotel provides a good selection of complimentary toiletries and skincare products. You can also store your luggage here, and the staff are all incredibly friendly and helpful. While the room size is small, its convenient location and excellent service make it perfect for someone like me traveling with a child and minimal luggage.

The Japanese service is, as always, impeccable. The only minor issue was that I found the food a bit hard to get used to.

Highly recommend this Kamakura hotel, the breakfast was delicious! The Prince Hotel's room view is absolutely stunning, directly facing Shichirigahama Beach with Enoshima in the distance. It's practically a Kamakura must-visit all in one spot, and there are many beautiful cafes down the hill. Although it's located on a hill, there's a direct elevator from the bottom of the hill up. I highly recommend taking this 'mountain-climbing' elevator, especially if you have luggage – it's super convenient. It's only a few minutes' walk from Kamakura Koko Mae, the Slam Dunk filming location. The entire area is scenic with the Enoden train. Waking up early to take photos there without crowds is amazing. I also recommend taking the Enoden train for one stop, it's only 200 yen, and you'll have a great time!

Appreciated the drinks bar area and the self-service amenities. Room key is heavy and traditional and a bit of a hassle to have to talk to the front desk everytime coming in and out of the hotel but overall everyone was nice.

First off, let me explain why I chose this hotel. A colleague highly recommended it. Her Japanese relatives had taken her there when she visited Hakone before, and she said it was mostly frequented by locals. After checking in, I found this to be true, so I booked it. Now, about the location. It's right next to Kowakien. The bus stops in that area are all very close, with three stops within two to three hundred meters. You can take a bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Horaien, and the hotel is directly across the street. Buses run every 15 minutes, are very punctual, clean, and convenient. It's also very close to Ten-yu and Mori-no-yu, just a short walk away. As for the service, it was absolutely impeccable. There was a handsome, glasses-wearing gentleman who spoke Chinese and had an incredibly good attitude. There was also a slightly plump Chinese lady who was very kind. After check-in, she even escorted us to our room and explained everything. Throughout our stay, everyone we encountered had an excellent attitude. They even meticulously explained our itinerary for the next day and proactively helped with our luggage. As my son said, ”They're genuinely good.” Regarding the meals, I booked a half-board plan. Dinner started at 5:30 PM and was a Japanese kaiseki meal. I didn't realize at the time that some dishes could be swapped. My son was very hungry before eating, and we both pretty much finished everything. The wagyu beef was especially delicious. For breakfast, the staff asked us the day before what we preferred. My son chose the Western style, and I opted for the Japanese. The rice was delicious, and the salmon portions were generous. About the onsen (hot spring baths): We arrived in the afternoon on our first day and immediately went to Mori-no-yu for a soak. The hotel provided free tickets, along with four arcade coupons. In the evening after dinner, we booked a private bath. Here's a note: I had read online that you could reserve private baths, but that's not actually the case. You need to check with the front desk, and if one is available, you can use it. You can't make reservations; you just have to wait. My son asked earlier and was told one would be free at 5:30 PM. We went at 6:20 PM after the previous occupants left. There are three private baths, and each session is an hour long – very comfortable! As for the main public bath, there's one indoor pool and one outdoor pool. I went early the next morning when no one else was there, so it was like having a private bath with an even better ambiance. Cleanliness and the room: The room was very spacious with a balcony, offering views of lush green mountains and clear water. My son said the bed was very soft and comfortable. There was water provided, but no shower in the room itself. Although the hotel is older, it was very clean. Overall, I was extremely satisfied. My son said he wants to go back again, but unfortunately, my wallet isn't quite ready for it!

Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay. The hotel is super close to Yumoto Station, just across the road, which was great as I could drop off my luggage and explore the sights without any hassle. The room was spacious with a lovely mountain view outside the window. Waking up to the sound of flowing water and birdsong in the fresh morning air was delightful. The hotel staff were also excellent – very warm and attentive, paying close attention to every detail. If I had one suggestion for improvement, it would be to enhance the breakfast environment and the variety/uniqueness of the dishes.

When I came to Yokohama during my trip to Japan, I chose a hotel near Minatomirai. The check-in experience was good, and it's not far from the station. There's a convenience store downstairs, and water dispensers and ironing facilities in the hallway. The breakfast was filling and delicious. It's a great place to stay while traveling. Getting to Chinatown or Yokohama Station is also quite convenient.