A hot spring ryokan in the former summer villa of an Imperial prince, high in the Hakone hills and an easy run from Tokyo.
Gora Kadan stands on the grounds of the Kan’in-no-miya villa, a summer retreat of the Imperial family that served as an Imperial residence until 1948. It is the ryokan we suggest to first-timers who want the full experience of hot spring water, kaiseki dinners and yukata in the corridors, without a long journey from Tokyo.
The hot spring water flows freely, and the rooms with their own open-air baths are worth the extra for the privacy alone. We would book two nights, arrive by early afternoon, and spend the time between the bath and the table. Hakone’s galleries, the ropeway and Lake Ashi are all within reach for a morning out.
Hakone is popular, and the roads and trains fill up at weekends and in autumn, so we plan midweek stays where we can. Anyone after a beach or a lively evening will be restless here. Two nights suits most people better than a long stay.
The entry category, and the simplest way to stay at Gora Kadan for a night or two of kaiseki and hot spring bathing.
A room with its own outdoor bath, the category we recommend for couples who want a private soak.
A larger suite for guests who want more space for dining and lounging in the room.
A separate category on the old villa grounds; ask us how it compares with the rooms in the main building.
The top category, for guests who want the most space; we can talk you through its layout before you book.
Dinner is a seasonal kaiseki course in the kaiseki restaurant, and there is also Sushi Kadan for a sushi counter meal. Tell us about dietary needs early so the kitchen can plan.
Freely flowing hot spring water feeds the baths. Kadan Spa offers facials and body treatments from 09:00 to 22:00, and in-room shiatsu massage can be booked for the evening.
Ask us about the current policy for younger children. The pace and dining suit adults best.
| History | Former summer villa of the Imperial family, an Imperial residence until 1948 |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Train to Gora Station, where the ryokan collects you by car |
| Restaurants | Kaiseki restaurant and Sushi Kadan |
| Spa | Kadan Spa, open 09:00 to 22:00 |
| Onsen | Free-flowing hot spring water |
Gora, Hakone, Japan
A few of the things we plan for guests in Japan.
Kyoto has hundreds of temples, so choose a few and go early. Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji and its rock garden sit together in the northwest; Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher’s Path in the east. In the evening, walk the lanes of Gion and Pontocho. A private guide for one day repays itself in context and in avoided queues.
A ryokan is a traditional inn: tatami rooms, a multi-course kaiseki dinner in your yukata and a hot-spring bath before bed. Hakone, 90 minutes from Tokyo, has a good choice, with Mount Fuji views on clear winter mornings. Choose a room with a private outdoor bath if you are shy of communal bathing. One or two nights is plenty.
Tokyo is a city of villages. Spend a morning in Asakusa around Senso-ji, an afternoon in the backstreets of Yanaka, and an evening in the tiny bars of Shibuya or Golden Gai. Tsukiji outer market is best for breakfast. A food guide for the first night helps with menus and seating etiquette.
Four nights high above Tokyo, two in a ryokan in the Hakone hills with its own hot spring baths, then four on the river in Arashiyama for Kyoto. Your luggage goes ahead by courier, so every train is easy.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability, suggest the right room and send a price.
