Hakone is one of Japan’s most famous onsen destinations. Did you know that you don’t need to stay overnight in Hakone to enjoy its onsen hot springs? Take a dip in a Hakone day-use onsen, where visitors can experience public and private onsen, and other perks like spa treatments, yukata rentals, and lunch services.
Hakone day trip onsens allow you to soak in Hakone’s world-famous hot springs without committing to an overnight stay, making them ideal when doing a Hakone day-trip from Tokyo, or staying in accommodation without onsen.
Day use onsen in Hakone range from luxury ryokan to onsen theme parks to traditional onsen-only facilities (with no guestrooms), and they all open their onsen to day visitors in Hakone. Many of them also have an option for guests to reserve a private onsen for a set time, perfect for private bathing or when travelling as a couple or with a family.
Before you visit a day-use onsen in Hakone, there are a few things you should know.
- Visitors should understand and respect Japanese onsen bathing etiquette – here’s a refresher.
- Day-use onsen visits are usually timed, especially those offering private onsen (usually 1-2 hours, but it’s unhealthy to spend too long in the onsen anyways)
- Day-use onsen hours are also usually limited to daytime and early evening, with last entry times. Be sure to research entry times in advance of your visit.
- More exclusive day-use onsen require reservations, especially the ones at ryokan properties with that service overnight guests as well.
- Items like towels, toiletries, and lockers are usually provided, either free of charge or for a small fee. It’s best to check ahead what’s included.
Now, here are some of the best day-trip onsens in Hakone (including private onsen)!
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1. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun onsen theme-park
Yunessun is one of Hakone’s most famous and unique day-use onsen facilities. It’s known as Hakone’s onsen theme-park, and offers onsen baths inflused with ingredients like coffee, wine, and even beer! International visitors especially like Yunessun because it allows swimsuits, so in a way it’s like a water park but with heated hot spring waters.
Many visitors don’t know though, that Yunessun also has traditional Japanese onsen section of the park in addition to the waterpark. Called Mori no Yu, this day-use onsen is a much more relaxed vibe. It offers a spacious stone open-air onsen, indoor onsen, ceramic pot onsen, “sleeping” onsen where you can lie on your back, and even a sauna.
Eight private onsen baths can be reserved for day-use guests at Mori no Yu too. The private onsen areas also come with a dressing room and tatami resting space for post-onsen relaxation.
Facilities in the Yunessun complex include many souvenir stores, a cafe, a soba restaurant, a yakiniku (BBQ) restaurant, and even a Family Mart convenience store. You can easily spend a whole day enjoying onsen at Yunessun in Hakone!
Buy tickets in advance from Klook here.
2. Hakone Yuryo day-use onsen facility
Hakone Yuryo is another famous day-use onsen facility in Hakone. It doesn’t offer overnight rooms, so it’s designed specifically for visitors who want to experience a day-use onsen.
Similar to Mori no Yu at Yunessun, Hakone Yuryo offers public baths (both indoor and outdoor), ceramic onsen tubs, and a sauna, as well as a whopping 19 private onsen baths, with three different room types. Its rustic atmosphere feels like a step back in time, offering a glimpse into how travellers have enjoyed Hakone’s onsen for hundreds of years.
Facilities other than onsen available here include a souvenir shop, an irori restaurant serving hearth-cooked food, a massage parlour, a tatami rest area, and a courtyard with Japanese garden.
This Hakone day-use onsen with private onsen can be accessed by car or via a shuttle bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
3. Gora Kadan private day-use onsen
Gora Kadan is one of the most famous luxury ryokans in all of Japan, featured on my list of best ryokan in Hakone. It’s a prestegious spot that’s been awarded three Michelin-keys for its world-class service and refined experience.
Did you know that it has a day-use onsen option? Save yourself some $$$ by not staying overnight, and opting for a taste of luxury instead by day-tripping to the property’s refined hot spring facilities. It’s one of the few opportunities to access an ultra-luxury ryokan without the committment of an overnight stay.
Gora Kadan’s day-use onsen experience is pricier than most, but includes exclusive access to a private onsen bath and a steam sauna, and includes a kaiseki (multi-course) meal on-site. Day-use plans with spa treatments are also available.
If you love the Gora Kadan vibe, you can also consider staying overnight! Look at their amazing room options and how you can treat yourself here.
4. Ichinoyu onsen-hopping
Ichinoyu is a ryokan chain in Hakone that operates multiple onsen ryokan locations. Not only do they offer day-use access to their public onsen, they also offer onsen-hopping to use multiple of their day-use facilities. That is, guests who stay overnight in an Ichinoyu proerty, or even day-trippers who pay to access day-use onsen at one location, can visit other Ichonoyu onsen locations on the same day for free (just show your receipt).
The best place to onsen-hop Ichinoyu locations includes the Tonosawa Ichinoyu Main Building and the Hidamari Ichinoyu (both in Hakone-Yumoto), and the Shinanoki Ichinoyu and Susukinohara Ichinoyu locations (both in the Sengokuhara area). Some locations have private onsen for families and couples – these are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
To better understand the different areas of Hakone, check out my Hakone area guide here.
5. Yunosato Okada day use facility
Yunosato Okada is another Hakone day-use onsen facility in the Hakone-Yumoto area. Its strength and claim-to-fame is its massive, multi-pool, multi-level outdoor onsen area.
Each of the women’s and men’s onsen areas include the classic indoor onsen, as well as outdoor sleeping onsen, a flowing river onsen, and even a sauna. Some of the outdoor onsen are covered while others are completely open-air, allowing guests to experience the nature of Hakone to its fullest.
Five private onsen hot springs can also be reserved for personal use, some come with private rooms for post-onsen resting. Other on-site facilities include a restaurant, multiple lounge areas, massage chairs, and even a manga library.
Reserve a day-use plan from their website here.
Accommodation options are also available near Yunosato Okada, at the adjacent Hotel Okada and Hakonenomori Okada locations.
6. Hotel Green Plaza Hakone
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone offers day-use access to its public onsens, which are famous for having beautiful Mt. Fuji views. The outdoor onsens (both men’s and women’s) face Mt. Fuji and also overlook the hotel’s lush green spaces.
If you’re visiting Hakone to soak in Mt. Fuji views and soak in onsen, Hotel Green Plaza Hakone’s day-use onsen plan is one of the best options available. Facilities available on-site for post-onsen relaxation include a spa, souvenir store, lounge, cafe, and outdoor garden.
Hotel Green Plaza Hakone is a great place to stay overnight in Hakone as well, and offers many rooms which have Mt. Fuji views. Check out the rooms and rates here.
7. Pax Yoshino
Pax Yoshino is a ryokan that offers day trip onsen access in the Hakone-Yumoto area. Because it’s walking distance from the Hakone-Yumoto station, it’s a convenient option to enjoy onsen if you’re arriving or leaving Hakone by train.
The ryokan offers day trip onsen only, or day-use + set lunch options for visitors who want to spend more time at their historic location. Onsen access includes Pax Yoshino’s riverside public onsen facilities (both indoor and outdoor), and a private onsen can be chartered by the hour for an additional fee. If you include a lunch add-on, it’s served in a private dining area so you can fully relax post-onsen soak.
If you want to stay longer in Hakone-Yumoto, you can consider staying overnight at Pax Yoshino too!
8. Hakone Yumoto Yoshiike Ryokan
Hakone Yumoto Yoshiike Ryokan is a popular day-trip onsen spot in Hakone-Yumoto, offering access to a wide variety of baths rather than limiting day-use guests to a single facility. Unlike many ryokan that restrict day visitors to reservable private baths only, Yoshiike allows day-use guests to enjoy its full range of public onsen.
Bathing options include on stone open-air baths, cypress tub onsen, and granite baths, giving guests the chance to experience different styles in one visit. Two private onsen rooms can also be rented by day-use customers. Day-use onsen plans can also include a lunch on-site, and a walk through the ryokan’s famous Sangetsuen garden.
Yoshiike Ryokan has over 60 guest rooms on offer as well, if you decide you want to stay longer to enjoy their many onsen facilities. Some rooms even have private onsen included – check them out here.
9. Ryuguden
Ryuguden is another scenic day-trip onsen location that is part of a ryokan. It’s claim to fame is the amazing iew – Mt. Fuji views across Lake Ashi and the rolling Hakone mountains. The open-air public onsen baths (both women’s and men’s), which can be accessed as part of Ryuguden’s day-trip onsen plan, have these gorgeous views. Indoor onsen baths are also available, as well as a sauna.
Because day-use visitors can have access to the public onsen, this is a great choice for visitors seeking to experience an onsen with an amazing view, without prioritising private bathing.
Ryuguden’s location at the edge of Lake Ashi and a short walk from both the Lake Ashi pier and the Hakone ropeway makes it a great place to stop for a day-trip onsen soak as part of the Hakone loop.
10. Matsuzakaya Honten Hakone
Matsuzakaya Honten Hakone is another luxury ryokan in Hakone that offers day-use access to its onsen. It’s a great way to experience a refined onsen ryokan, without paying a hefty sum for an overnight stay. Founded in 1662, this historic onsen recently celebrated its 360th annivesary.
Similar to Gora Kadan, with an onsen day-pass you get access to one of five of the ryokan’s private onsen baths for exclusive use. You can also spend time in their lounge post-onsen soak (free drinks included).
Of course if you love the idea of staying at Matsuzakaya Honten Hakone or want to experience the public onsen, beautiful rooms and villas can be booked here. Their executive family rooms are super spacious and even have wrap-around terraces, and many rooms have private, in-room onsen too.
Hakone’s day-trip onsens are a flexible way to enjoy onsen bathing without staying overnight, whether you’re visiting Hakone as a day trip or short stop. With options ranging from scenic public baths to reservable private onsen for day use, these facilities make it easy to experience Hakone’s hot springs on your own terms, even if time, budget, or privacy is a concern.
Spending more time in Hakone? Check out my ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) round up posts, Hakone itinerary, and Hakone neighborhood guide:
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