I stayed at Hotel Nanpuso with my parents and children on a three-generation family trip.
Looking back, it became one of those warm family memories that we still talk about today.
Even now, someone in my family will occasionally say, “We should go back someday.”
If you’re planning a family or multi-generational trip to Hakone, I think Hotel Nanpuso is well worth considering.
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Lobby & Lounge
The welcome lounge was very nice.
Complimentary coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, and snacks are available, with plenty of comfortable seating.
We stopped by several times during our stay, whether before dinner or after returning from the hot springs, and it quickly became our favorite place to take a short break.
Our Room
Hotel Nanpuso offers a variety of room types, from standard rooms to suites with private open-air baths.
We stayed in a Japanese-Western style room with two beds and a tatami area.
While we were enjoying dinner, the staff prepared futons on the tatami floor, giving our family of five plenty of space to sleep comfortably.
The layout worked especially well for a multi-generational trip, allowing everyone to relax in the same room.
After dinner, we spent the evening chatting and playing games together on the futons.
The bedding was comfortable, and I slept surprisingly well.
A spacious room where everyone could relax in their own way.
Although the public hot springs were more than enough for us, I left thinking that next time I would like to stay in one of the rooms with a private open-air bath.
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Being able to soak whenever I wanted, without worrying about other guests or the time, feels like a completely different way to experience a ryokan.
Dinner
For dinner, we could choose from three different set meals.
Our family decided to order both the Wagyu Shabu-Shabu Set and the Seafood Rice Bowl Set and share them.
The Wagyu beef was tender and nicely marbled, and everyone in the family enjoyed it.
I chose the Seafood Rice Bowl Set, which is always hard for me to resist.
It came with plenty of fresh sashimi, covering almost all of the rice, and I was happy with both the quality and the generous portion.
By the time dessert arrived, I was completely full.
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The Hot Springs
The hot springs became one of my favorite parts of the stay.
The open-air bath had a peaceful traditional atmosphere, and simply soaking there made me appreciate being in Hakone.
What impressed me most, though, was the indoor bath.
It was incredibly spacious, and hot spring water poured continuously into the bath with a constant rushing sound.
Looking at the generous flow of water, my first thought was simply, “This feels so luxurious.”
There is no sauna or cold plunge, but I still ended up visiting the hot springs four times during my stay.
My favorite was the early morning bath.
I always like visiting the hot springs as soon as they open.
When I stayed in early November, it was still dark at 6:00 a.m., and there were hardly any other guests.
I simply soaked in the hot spring, listening to the sound of the flowing water and waiting for the sky to slowly brighten and the first birds to start singing.
Breakfast
Breakfast was probably my favorite meal of the entire stay.
We chose the buffet, and the selection was far more extensive than I expected.
There were Japanese specialties such as dried fish from Odawara and shiokara, alongside salads, fresh fruit, bread, curry, bacon, fries, and Chinese dishes like shrimp chili.
The chef also prepared fresh omelets to order, which quickly became one of the most popular dishes.
I somehow managed three rounds—starting with Japanese dishes, moving on to Chinese food, and finishing with bread, salad, bacon, cakes, and dessert.
Large windows overlooked the mountains of Hakone, where the first colors of autumn were beginning to appear.
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Who Should Stay at Hotel Nanpuso?
I think Hotel Nanpuso is an especially good choice for:
- Families traveling with children
- Multi-generational family trips
- Guests who want to experience traditional Japanese hospitality
- Food lovers who want to enjoy a generous kaiseki dinner and buffet breakfast
- Travelers who want to slow down and relax in the peaceful natural surroundings of Hakone
On the other hand, it may not be the best fit for:
- Travelers looking for a small boutique ryokan with only a handful of rooms
- Guests with limited mobility, as walking distances inside the property can be fairly long
- Hot spring enthusiasts who specifically prioritize unusual spring quality, sulfur-rich water, or facilities such as saunas and cold plunges
Visitor Information
Location & Access
- About a 20-minute walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station
- Hakone Yumoto Onsen Ryokan Shuttle Bus (A Route) is available from the station (about 7 minutes, ¥200 per adult)
- Free parking is available for guests
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