Gora Kadan
Formal, unhurried, and intensely attentive — this is traditional Japanese ryokan culture executed at an extremely high level. No flashy design statements. Think natural wood, garden views, seasonal flower arrangements, and the quiet ritual of the bath.
Call when you arrive at Gora Station and they'll collect you by Mercedes-Benz — don't attempt the hill with heavy luggage
Why It Matters
Genuine imperial heritage — the landscaped gardens predate the ryokan and cannot be replicated. A Relais & Châteaux member. Kaiseki dining ranked among Hakone's finest, changing menus monthly. One of the few top-tier ryokans in the country where every detail — architecture, food, service, and setting — operates as a cohesive whole.
Gora Kadan sits on the grounds of the former Kan'in-no-miya Imperial Villa — one of Japan's four branch families of the imperial household — on a hillside in the Gora district of Hakone National Park. The architecture is pure sukiya-zukuri: exposed timber frames, shoji paper screens, tatami floors, a 120-meter-long pillared corridor, and gardens that predate the ryokan itself. Hot spring water flows directly from private on-site sources, and kaiseki dinner is served course by course in your room by kimono-clad attendants. You get a dedicated room concierge for the duration of your stay.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Annex – Kakou
One of four named rooms in the Annex building, a short walk from the main complex. Guests staying in Annex Senshin and Meigetsu have their meals served in Kaiseki Restaurant Kadan rather than in-room. Annex rooms offer a quieter, more private feel.
Bettei Suite Akatsuki
A multi-room Bettei Suite with a private Japanese garden and wooden terrace. The open-air big stone bath plus steam sauna and wooden bath make this one of the more complete bathing suites on the property. Accommodates up to 6 guests across living, sleeping, and sitting rooms.
Twin Western beds plus futon mats on tatami · 54 sqmBettei Suite Akebono
The third of the three premium Bettei Suites, situated as a standalone annex-style accommodation. Like its siblings, it features multiple connected rooms in traditional sukiya-zukuri style with private onsen bathing.
Bettei Suite Shinonome
The newest and largest of the three Bettei Suites, with five distinct spaces across the room — a proper dining room, a bedroom, a tea room, a sitting area, and a writing room, plus a wooden terrace. Panoramic stone bath, indoor bath, cold bath, and dry sauna all included. Sleeps up to 6. This is the top of the house.
Twin Western beds plus futon mats on tatami · 110 sqmKadan Suite – with Jacuzzi & Steam Sauna
A Kadan Suite that swaps the standard outdoor rock bath for a Jacuzzi and steam sauna combination — a slightly more contemporary take on the in-room bathing experience. Still fully tatami and in traditional sukiya-zukuri style.
Kadan Suite – with Open-air Bath Aoi
A Kadan Suite named Aoi (meaning hollyhock flower), with a private Japanese garden and an open-air rock bath. The living room runs to 17m², with a 10m² sleeping room and a 13m² sitting room — spacious by ryokan standards. One of the most sought-after room types on the property.
Futon mats on tatami · 40 sqm
Room with Open-air Bath – Matsu
One of four named rooms in the open-air bath category. Matsu has a living room of 17m² and a sleeping room of 10m² with a wooden terrace. The terrace has an open-air stone bath fed by the onsen source alongside an indoor wooden bath with shower — you get both.
Futon mats on tatami · 27 sqmStandard Room – Type A
The entry-level room category at Gora Kadan, and it's still a proper Japanese ryokan room: living room of 24m², sleeping room of 10m², and a private Japanese garden outside your door. The bath is an indoor wooden bath with shower — no private outdoor onsen here, so you'll use the public grand baths. Futon on tatami; sleeps up to 4.
Futon mats on tatami · 34 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Two day-use plans available: (1) Lunch at Kaiseki Kadan plus privately reserved open-air bath; (2) Lunch at Kaiseki Kadan plus beauty treatment at Kadan Spa. The lounge HANAKAGE and Gift Shop are also available to day visitors.
Private guided hiking tours through Hakone's trails, arranged through explore-hakone.com.
Hotel-arranged sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi. Take bus line H bound for Lake Ashinoko; the property offers a pickup from Kowakien by car. Routes to Moto-Hakone Port and Moto-Hakone Town available.
Arranged excursion to the 5th stage of Mt. Fuji — the highest point accessible by road. Best in summer when the mountain is open.
Complimentary pickup service to select nearby museums: Okada Museum of Art, Hakone Open Air Museum, and Hakone Museum of Art. A convenient way to reach Hakone's art circuit without arranging your own transport.
Motorboat cruising and canoe/kayak tours arranged on Lake Ashi, roughly 25 minutes from the property.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Four banquet rooms available. Approximately 16 square metres of event/meeting space total.
Free WiFi throughout property and in all rooms.
On-site gym with latest equipment. Workout wear and shoes available for purchase.
Private salon space for overnight guests.
One of two main lounges on property. Also accessible to day visitors alongside the Gift Shop.
Entirely non-smoking throughout.
Located adjacent to the heated swimming pool in a sunlit, orangery-style setting.
Warm-water indoor pool set in a space reminiscent of an orangery. Open daily 8:00am–6:30pm for all guests; 10:00am–6:30pm for junior high school students and younger. Complimentary for staying guests. Swimwear available for purchase.
24-hour front desk with concierge, currency exchange, and luggage storage. A dedicated room concierge is assigned to each guest group for attentive omotenashi.
On-site gift shop available to both guests and day visitors.
Complimentary valet parking for approximately 40 vehicles.
Call reception upon arrival at Gora Station and a Mercedes-Benz will collect you. Reservation required. Limousine upgrades (Toyota Alphard, BMW, Toyota HiAce jumbo taxi) available for an additional fee.
Mildly alkaline hot spring water from private on-site sources. Gender-separated public baths that rotate at night so you can experience both during a stay. Open for overnight guests.
Reservable open-air bath with steam sauna attached. Available to all guests for 40-minute slots at no additional charge. Book at reception.
Natural rock bedrock bath said to emit far infrared rays with a strong detox effect.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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