[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.
