Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara — a brand-new ryokan where everything is still pristine
Picture staying in a ryokan that only opened in December 2022 — every wall lined with calligraphy and paintings, walking the corridors feeling like you are inside an art museum that also has beds and an onsen. That is exactly what Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara offers. A score of 9.3 on Booking, earned from 61 reviews despite barely being open, says everything about the direction this place is heading.
Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara sits in the Sengokuhara area of Hakone — a part of the national park known for its quietness and distance from the busier crowds of Gora and Hakone-Yumoto. That setting suits travellers who want to genuinely rest rather than simply passing through. What separates it from the many ryokan in the area is its design: from the lobby to the corridors, calligraphy brushwork and paintings are installed with clear intention, as though the owners wanted guests to experience Japanese art alongside every soak in the onsen.
"Everything is brand new and spotlessly clean — the atmosphere is like being in an art gallery. Staff are incredibly attentive. Many guests say it is the best place they have ever stayed in Hakone."
What guests mention most in reviews are the sub-scores, which are unusually high for a property that has been open such a short time — cleanliness 9.7, comfort 9.8, facilities 9.8, staff 9.8. These numbers are not coincidence: they reflect a brand-new property where everything is in perfect condition, bed linen is fresh, bathrooms show no signs of years of use, and the team still has full energy and motivation to look after guests properly.
The feature many guests specifically book for is that some rooms have a private open-air bath on the terrace — a private rotenburo looking out over the mountains of Sengokuhara, away from any other eyes. Soaking in an outdoor onsen in the cool highland air with that kind of silence around you is precisely what makes Hakone different from everywhere else in Japan. Worth knowing upfront: not every room has the open-air bath — you must select a room that specifically states it does when booking.
The food is another highlight in the reviews. Kaiseki — the multi-course traditional Japanese dinner — is included in the rate. Courses are beautifully presented, ingredients are fresh and seasonal, and the whole experience is what many travellers come to a ryokan specifically for. Breakfast is also included, which means the cost of meals on your stay day is already settled in advance, with no need to worry about where to eat.
On value: the rate starts at ¥45,000 per night for two, with kaiseki and breakfast included. Compared to the top-tier ryokan in Hakone, some of which cost considerably more, Morinokaze sits at a more accessible point while still delivering a genuinely new, design-forward ryokan experience. Most reviews describe it as good value — though a subset note that prices move upwards quickly in peak season (value-for-money score 8.5, which is still solid at this level).
One thing to be clear about before booking: the location is far from any train station. Sengokuhara has no rail access. Getting around means either using the hotel shuttle — which runs in the morning and afternoon only — or taking the Hakone Tozan Bus that passes through the area. If you plan to visit multiple spots around Hakone in one day, check the shuttle timetable and map out your movements carefully from the start, or you may find yourself more hotel-bound than you intended.
Taken together, Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara is a genuinely compelling option for anyone wanting a brand-new, design-led ryokan with private onsen and full kaiseki without paying top-luxury prices. Just plan your transport carefully, and if the terrace onsen matters to you, make sure you select the right room type at booking — it makes all the difference.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Opened December 2022 — everything is brand new and in perfect condition
- ✓ Art museum design with calligraphy and paintings — unlike any other ryokan
- ✓ Sub-scores exceptionally high: cleanliness 9.7 · comfort 9.8 · staff 9.8
- ✓ Some rooms have a private open-air bath on the terrace with mountain views
- ! Far from any train station — must use shuttle (limited runs) or Hakone Tozan Bus
- ! Small review sample (61 reviews) due to only just having opened
- ! Prices rise quickly in peak season — value-for-money score 8.5
- ✓ Sengokuhara is quiet and uncrowded — genuinely away from the tourist rush
- ✓ Kaiseki dinner and breakfast included — no need to plan extra meals
- ✓ Bathrooms and facilities all brand new
- ✓ Well suited to couples or adults seeking a proper ryokan onsen experience
- ! Adults-only property — not suitable for families with children
- ! Shuttle runs are limited — plan your sightseeing schedule around them
- ! Starting at ¥45,000 per night — may be above budget for some travellers in this category
- 💡If you want the private terrace onsen — not every room has one → select a room that specifically states 'open-air bath' or 'rotenburo' at the time of booking, or you may end up in a standard room without it.
- 💡If you plan to visit multiple Hakone spots in a single day — the shuttle runs morning and afternoon only → check the timetable before booking and plan your itinerary to fit, otherwise you may find yourself stuck at the property.
- 💡If you are visiting during peak periods (cherry blossom / autumn leaves / national holidays) — prices move up fast and with a small review sample there is less price history → book well in advance and compare rates across a few dates to avoid paying peak rates unexpectedly.