In 1930 a prince of Japan's imperial family built a mountain villa in Gora, high in the hot-spring hills of Hakone, to welcome his most honored guests. After the war, his son opened the house to travelers and named it Gora Kadan. For more than seven decades it has been one of Japan's most revered ryokan. Today the original villa still stands at the heart of the property, joined by a sleek, low-slung modern wing that blends stone, wood and paper with the forest around it.
This is the place to experience the ryokan ritual at its most polished. You two will slip into yukata, soak in steaming mineral water fed by natural springs, then sit down to a kaiseki dinner that unfolds course by course for hours. Gora Kadan joined Relais & Châteaux in 1992, one of the first Japanese inns to do so. Its blend of imperial heritage and quiet modern luxury makes it a favorite with couples. Tokyo is only about two hours away, but the mountain air and the sound of water make it feel much farther.
Highlights at a glance
- Former 1930s imperial family villa, a ryokan since 1948
- Rooms and suites with private hot-spring baths
- Seasonal multicourse kaiseki served in private
- Indoor and outdoor onsen, plus an indoor pool and spa
- Relais & Châteaux member since 1992
- Steps from Gora Station and the Hakone loop
An Imperial Villa in the Hakone Hills
Gora is a hillside village near the top of the Hakone Tozan Railway, the little mountain train that switchbacks up from Hakone-Yumoto. Gora Kadan sits a short walk from the station, yet its gates open onto a world of manicured gardens, river-stone walkways and tall trees.
The property's story is part of its allure. Prince Kan'in built the villa as a summer guesthouse in the 1930s. The family opened it as a ryokan in 1948. A 1989 renovation by architects Kiyoshi Takeyama and Amorph preserved the original building while adding the modern accommodation wing. The old villa now houses dining spaces, so dinner here can feel like being received as a guest of the family.
Gora is also an ideal starting point for the classic Hakone loop of cable car, ropeway and lake cruise.
Rooms and Private Hot-Spring Baths
Rooms follow the ryokan tradition, with tatami floors, sliding screens, low tables and views over the gardens or forest, but with a refined, contemporary feel. Futon bedding is laid out for you in the evening while you dine.
The bath is the star. Every room has a deep tub generous enough to float in. Many rooms and suites also have their own bath fed by natural hot-spring water, some in stone and open to the garden. The suites add more space. Some of them include a private sauna.
For a honeymoon, it is worth booking a room or suite with its own open-air hot-spring bath. Soaking together under the trees, perhaps with a light snowfall in winter or misty rain in June, is the essence of a Hakone ryokan stay and far more intimate than the shared baths.
Kaiseki for Two
Dinner is a seasonal kaiseki procession, a sequence of small, exquisitely presented dishes that reflect the month, the mountains and the sea. Expect sashimi, simmered dishes, grilled fish, delicate soups and seasonal vegetables, each served on carefully chosen ceramics and lacquerware. Meals often last two or three hours. The menu changes so that no two evenings are quite the same.
Meals can be served in your room or in a private dining space. Shabu-shabu is offered as an alternative. In recent years the inn has also added an intimate sushi counter, Sushi Kadan, created with guidance from a celebrated Tokyo sushi master.
Breakfast is a traditional Japanese spread of rice, miso soup, grilled fish and small seasonal plates. Ask about Western options if you would prefer something lighter.
Why guests fall for it
Onsen, Pool and Spa
Beyond your private bath, Gora Kadan has indoor and outdoor hot-spring baths with rock pools, a refreshing contrast between steaming water and cool mountain air. Shared onsen are separated by gender and used in the traditional nude style; staff will gladly explain the etiquette. If either of you has tattoos, ask about the policy for the shared baths before you go; your private bath sidesteps the question entirely and is the only place you can soak together.
There is also an indoor swimming pool (unusual for a ryokan) plus a spa offering treatments that draw on Japanese traditions of relaxation. Staff will even help you tie your yukata properly before you head out.
Outside the gates, Hakone invites gentle adventure. Ride the ropeway over the steaming volcanic vents of Owakudani and cruise Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Then wander the sculpture gardens of the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a stop or two down the railway line.
Why Guests Fall in Love
Guests consistently describe the service at Gora Kadan as exceptional, with a level of precision and warmth that captures the best of Japanese hospitality. Many say a dedicated attendant made them feel cared for from arrival to departure.
The baths are a constant theme. Couples rave about soaking in their private hot-spring tub. Many call it the moment their Japan honeymoon started to feel romantic. The gardens and the quiet of the mountain setting draw warm praise, too.
The kaiseki dinners earn glowing reviews for their artistry and seasonality, with guests describing the meals as edible works of art and a highlight of their trip. The sense of history, staying at a former imperial villa, gives the stay an added layer of meaning that travelers remember long after they leave.
Good to Know
Ryokan stays revolve around dinner, so plan to arrive by mid-afternoon; check-in typically opens in the afternoon and dinner starts at a set time.
From Tokyo, take the bullet train to Odawara or the Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto, then the Hakone Tozan Railway up to Gora. The scenic train ride is slow but lovely; a taxi from Odawara is quicker with luggage. Luggage forwarding services in Japan can send big bags ahead to your next hotel.
Mount Fuji is not visible from the inn itself. Views from Lake Ashi depend on weather; winter mornings are clearest.
Autumn foliage in November and spring blossoms are peak times. Book well in advance and request a room with a private open-air bath when you reserve.
Insider tips
- Book a room or suite with its own open-air hot-spring bath; it is the single biggest upgrade to your stay.
- Use Japan's luggage-forwarding service to send large bags ahead so you can ride the Hakone Tozan Railway with just a small overnight bag.
- Arrive early enough to soak before dinner, then again late at night and at dawn when the baths are quietest.
- Do the Hakone loop the next morning, when skies are often clearest for views of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi.
