Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora — the stylish Boutique pick in Gora
If you've grown tired of the conventional tatami ryokan and want something with modern design flair, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora is well worth a look. It's the IHG boutique brand with a Booking score of 9.0 from 756 reviews — the highest review volume among mid-to-upscale properties in this part of Hakone. The hotel weaves together local craft, old photographs and contemporary furniture, sits right on the Hayakawa River in central Hakone, and has earned a place in the Michelin Guide.
Did you know that Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora holds a Michelin Guide listing? That means this isn't just a boutique hotel with a pretty fit-out — overall quality has passed internationally recognised criteria. The hotel sits at 924-1 Kiga, Hakone-machi, right along the Hayakawa River in Gora, an 8-minute walk from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Line. The path from the station involves a bit of a climb with some steps, but the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service — just let them know in advance and you won't need to lug your bags uphill.
"The room design was stunning — beautifully creative, and every angle is photogenic. The service was excellent too; the team was helpful throughout the whole stay. People who've been here pretty much all say it exceeded their expectations."
What separates Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora from other properties in this area is its strong, distinctive design identity. The Hotel Indigo brand by IHG designs every property to reflect the story of its locality — here in Hakone you'll find old photographs, crafts from the Kanagawa region, and contemporary furniture that pairs naturally with the riverside setting. The communal spaces, bar and lobby are all visually striking and endlessly photogenic.
On the onsen front — Hotel Indigo offers both indoor and outdoor shared onsen baths. Some rooms also come with a semi-open-air or fully open-air private onsen, so if a private bath is important to you, make sure to select the right room type when booking. Not every room has one. The outdoor shared baths are especially atmospheric at dusk — try to get in just before sunset for the best light.
In terms of getting around — Gora Station (Hakone Tozan Line) is an 8-minute walk away. With heavy bags the hotel shuttle is the sensible option. From Gora you can take the tram down to Hakone-Yumoto and connect onward via the Odakyu Line to Shinjuku. The Hakone Ropeway departing from nearby Sounzan Station to Owakudani is also easily accessible from Gora.
One thing many guests are pleased about is being able to earn IHG One Rewards points here as with any IHG property. If you're already an IHG member, staying here earns your normal points and tier benefits. The hotel also offers meal-inclusive packages, which is convenient if you'd rather not head out into Gora to find dinner.
Worth being upfront about before you book — Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora is not a traditional tatami ryokan. If you're after the full futon-on-tatami, yukata, multi-course kaiseki experience, this isn't the right fit. But if you want a Hakone onsen stay with a modern feel, strong aesthetics, good service and IHG loyalty benefits, this property makes a compelling case.
To be direct about it: Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora carves out a comfortable space between a full luxury hotel and a standard inn — a score of 9.0 from 756 reviews confirms that guests who go are not disappointed. Starting from ¥40,000/night for two, with meal packages available, it suits couples or travellers who want Hakone to feel entirely their own.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Boutique modern design — photogenic and unlike any nearby ryokan
- ✓ Riverside Hayakawa setting in the heart of Hakone
- ✓ Shared onsen and in-room private onsen options available
- ✓ IHG One Rewards eligible · Michelin Guide recognised
- ! Steep path from station with steps — shuttle must be requested in advance
- ! Not a traditional tatami ryokan — may not suit traditionalists
- ! From ¥40,000/night — not the budget end of the Hakone spectrum
- ✓ Staff are attentive and genuinely helpful throughout
- ✓ Bar and communal spaces have a great atmosphere, especially in the evening
- ✓ Meal-inclusive packages are available and convenient
- ✓ Gora Station connects easily to Hakone-Yumoto and Shinjuku
- ! Shuttle service must be arranged in advance, not available on demand
- ! Rooms with private onsen are limited — book early in peak season
- ! Check-in at 15:00 — arriving earlier means storing your bags
- 💡If you want a traditional ryokan — Hotel Indigo is a modern boutique hotel, not a tatami inn → consider Hakone Gora Karaku or Sengokuhara Shinanoki Ichinoyu instead.
- 💡If you're arriving with large luggage — the path from the station is steep with steps → request the shuttle from the hotel in advance; trying to walk up with heavy bags is genuinely tiring.
- 💡If a private in-room onsen is essential — not all rooms have one → carefully select a room type specifying open-air onsen when booking and double-check the details.