Hakone Honbako

This was my third visit. It’s my favorite Accommodation.Between reading, the Onsen, and the food (all amazing!), this time I ended up staying in the mini theater.There are so many hidden spots besides the mini theater where you can really focus on reading that you’ll forget to check your phone—an effortless digital detox.The Tokaido-themed dishes are also fascinating. And the pairing was outstanding—I’m glad I ordered it.

We traveled from Hakone-Yumoto Station by the Hakone Tozan Railway and cable car. Along with Hakone’s rich nature, we also enjoyed the journey itself, including the railway’s switchbacks (I think it would be even more enjoyable during hydrangea season from mid-June onward). From the cable car station, it was easy to reach on a mostly flat path with hardly any uphill.This time, I stayed with my son, who loves books. I don’t think there is another Accommodation in Hakone where you can enjoy all three—books, Onsen, and dining—in one place.We don’t usually have very deep conversations, but talking through books helped me learn what he is interested in.Throughout the building there were many cozy “hideaway” spots. We could enjoy reading and chatting together in our Room, while when he wanted to focus on reading alone, my son would go to one of those spaces.Even at mealtimes, we were able to relax at an unhurried pace by enjoying a full course while watching the live kitchen—almost like spending time reading a book (we also heard little stories about the dishes; it truly felt like “reading through food”). I also recommend trying the drink pairings to make the meal even better.With only about 18 Rooms in total, it never felt crowded; depending on the time of day, the large public bath felt almost private and we didn’t have to worry about other guests. The large public bath was open all night until 10:00 a.m., and our Room also had a bath on the balcony, so we could enjoy Onsen both at night and in the morning.Coffee and juice as well as snacks and ice cream were always available in the lounge and on the floor with the large public bath—perfect companions for reading or soaking.The collection of books inside—and even the mountains of Hakone visible from our Room—will surely change their character with each season.I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of view awaits us next time.