Mizunoto

Mizunoto sits in Kowakudani, Hakone's geothermal valley known for its sulphur vents and open-air onsen culture, placing guests within the Hakone National Park corridor rather than the more commercial Hakone-Yumoto strip. The ryokan earned a 9.2 rating across 915 reviews, a score that places it among the stronger performers in the three-star onsen category.

The property centres on its hot spring facilities: an open-air bath, public bath, and sauna draw on Kowakudani's volcanic water supply, which carries a notably higher mineral concentration than springs found closer to Lake Ashi. A shuttle service connects guests to the Kowakudani ropeway station, the practical gateway to Owakudani crater and onward to Togendai. On-site restaurant and room service reduce the pressure to navigate the valley after dark.