Ichinoyu Group Interview Article

Founded in 1630, Ichinoyu is a historic inn group located in Hakone, one of Japan's premier onsen destinations. With options for onsen hopping across group facilities, luxurious cuisine, and all-you-can-drink services, Ichinoyu offers exceptional value that goes beyond its price to delight guests.

Ichinoyu has three facilities in the Hakone Yumoto and Tonosawa areas, the gateway to Hakone, and five more in the resort region of Sengokuhara, surrounded by rich highlands. From the Main Building, which has been in operation for nearly 400 years, to spacious Japanese-Western style rooms that cater to modern needs and facilities where every room includes a private open-air bath, Ichinoyu offers a diverse selection of eight inns to suit various travel styles.

This time, we'll highlight the appeal of the entire Ichinoyu Group, with a focus on three specific inns: Hidamari Ichinoyu, Susukinohara Ichinoyu, and the Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan.

The nearest stations are Hakone-Yumoto Station and Tonosawa Station on the Odakyu Line. From Tokyo, you can reach Hakone-Yumoto Station in about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Shinjuku Station via the Odakyu Romancecar, or in around 1 hour from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen. Tonosawa Station is just a 5-minute ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station.

Hakone Yumoto / Tonosawa Area

Of the facilities we’re introducing, Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan and Hidamari Ichinoyu are located in the Hakone Yumoto and Tonosawa area. Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan is about 5 minutes by bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station; get off at "Kami-Tonosawa" and walk about 5 minutes. Hidamari Ichinoyu is approximately a 3-minute taxi ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station. If a taxi isn’t available or if you’re able to carry your luggage, you can reach Hidamari Ichinoyu with an 8-minute uphill walk from Tonosawa Station.

The Hakone Yumoto and Tonosawa area is the gateway to Hakone, and it boasts a variety of onsen facilities, restaurants, and souvenir shops. It’s a popular spot for food lovers, with many visitors enjoying street food like sweets and ready-to-eat dishes as they stroll through the area.

Sengokuhara Area

Susukinohara Ichinoyu is located in the Sengokuhara area. It can be reached by a 30-minute bus ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station, getting off at "Daigatake." There is also an express bus service from Tokyo, with a travel time of about 2 hours from Shinjuku to the nearest Daigatake stop.

The Sengokuhara area is a highland resort region home to attractions such as the Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields, Owakudani, and the Pola Museum of Art. The Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields, a well-known site selected as one of "Kanagawa's 50 Scenic Spots" and "Kanagawa's 100 Famous Flower Locations," is famous for its golden pampas grass that spreads across the slopes of Daigatake from late September to early January. Susukinohara Ichinoyu is about a 10-minute walk from the grasslands.

Owakudani is a volcanic crater formed by an eruption of the Hakone volcano around 3,000 years ago. The area is filled with the scent of sulfur, and visitors can witness plumes of steam rising from the vents.

The Pola Museum of Art is a museum that displays a large collection of works by Impressionist painters.

The Sengokuhara area is also home to other museums, such as the Venetian Glass Museum and the Lalique Museum, making it a great destination for art lovers.

A Historic, Long-established Inn

Founded in 1630, Ichinoyu is a historic inn with a legacy dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868). In a ukiyo-e artwork by the famous Edo period artist Utagawa Hiroshige, titled Hakone Nanayu: Tonosawa, the Ichinoyu of that time is depicted on the right side of the bridge.

<Source: National Diet Library "NDL Image Bank – Exploring Japan's Famous Landmarks through Woodblock Prints and Photographs">

The Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan, which continues to operate at the same location as when it was first founded, was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2009. It is recognized as one of the inns that symbolize the history of Hakone.

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Onsen Hopping with Different Therapeutic Benefits

When staying at or using the day-use service at any of the Ichinoyu Group facilities, guests can enjoy onsen hopping to the large public baths at other group facilities for free. For overnight guests, this is available from check-in to check-out, and for day-use visitors, it is available on the same day.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>

Each inn offers baths with different atmospheres and mineral compositions, allowing for a diverse onsen experience. You can enjoy onsen hopping at a great value while strolling through the townscape and nature of Hakone.

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Luxurious Creative Japanese Cuisine

At Ichinoyu, guests can enjoy luxurious creative Japanese cuisine. The main dinner dish features sukiyaki made with Yonezawa beef, one of Japan’s top three Wagyu beef varieties, and domestically produced pork. Sukiyaki is a Japanese hot pot dish where meat and vegetables are simmered in a seasoned broth and then dipped into a beaten raw egg before eating.

Yonezawa beef is known for its tender texture and finely marbled fat, and when eaten, the sweetness and umami of the meat gradually spread in your mouth. With a variety of dishes and a focus on high-quality ingredients, this menu is highly praised by guests.

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In addition, there are seasonal menu items featuring crab and fugu (pufferfish). For those who cannot eat meat due to religious reasons, vegetarian options are available, ensuring that all guests can enjoy their meals. Vegetarian menus must be reserved at least three days prior to your stay.

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In the morning, guests can enjoy a well-balanced Japanese breakfast set featuring freshly grilled dried fish, offering a traditional and authentic Japanese breakfast experience.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>

All-you-can-drink Service

At dinner, guests can enjoy an all-you-can-drink service offering soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Additionally, at three facilities—Hidamari Ichinoyu, Sengokuhara Shinanoki Ichinoyu, and Susukinohara Ichinoyu—this all-you-can-drink service is available not only during dinner but throughout the day. A drink bar is set up at the front desk, allowing guests to freely enjoy their favorite drinks at any time during their stay. Guests can even bring drinks back to their rooms, making it possible to enjoy beverages in the comfort of their private space, which is one of the reasons this service is so popular.

Now, let's introduce the unique attractions of each facility one by one.
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Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan  is a historic inn founded in 1630 and registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property. The building, a rare four-story wooden structure in the sukiya-zukuri style, exudes a sense of history and elegance.

Public Bath

The public baths at Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan feature two indoor baths with a traditional gender-segregated rotation system. While bathing, guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the Hayakawa Gorge. The spring water is an alkaline simple hot spring, known for its ability to remove dead skin cells and promote beautiful, smooth skin.

Additionally, the private family bath is a traditional bath made of marble imported from Italy in the 6th year of the Taisho era (1917), offering a unique atmosphere for guests to enjoy.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>

Guest Rooms

The building is located along the Hayakawa Gorge, offering beautiful views of the river and the changing seasons of Hakone, all visible from the guest rooms. Each room is a traditional Japanese-style room, making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of a classic Japanese ryokan.

Rooms are divided into those with outdoor baths or scenic baths and those without. The size and interior design vary, allowing guests to choose a room that suits their travel style.

The Japanese-style room with an outdoor bath is located on the first floor, offering a popular room type with a stunning view of the Hayakawa Gorge right in front of the window.

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The Japanese-style rooms with scenic baths are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors, where guests can soak in the onsen while enjoying the natural beauty of the Hayakawa Gorge through the windows.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>

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Check Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan page on ONSENISTA

Check Official Website

Among the many facilities in the Ichinoyu Group, Hidamari Ichinoyu is located near Hakone Yumoto Station, in a quiet, green hilltop area. Some of the rooms were renovated and reopened in 2024, and with the addition of larger room types, guests can now enjoy a more comfortable stay. It is highly recommended for families and groups looking to relax and spend quality time together.

Public Bath

Hidamari Ichinoyu features a large public bath with an outdoor bath. The spring water is an alkaline simple hot spring. The bath's flooring is made from a rare type of tatami that can withstand moisture, and it is designed to prevent the floor from becoming cold even in the winter, offering a unique and comfortable experience.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>

Guest Rooms

The Premium Room with an outdoor bath, renovated in July 2024, is a spacious 54㎡ room that can comfortably accommodate up to four guests. The room is divided into a tatami area, a bed area, and a sofa area, allowing even guests with a lot of luggage, such as those traveling from abroad, to relax and enjoy their stay.

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At the center of the room, there is a pillar designed to resemble the night sky, adding a playful and creative touch to the interior design.

The balcony features both an outdoor bath with flowing spring water and a foot bath, providing a space where guests can fully enjoy the onsen experience.

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Also renovated and reopened in July 2024, the Twin Room with an outdoor bath features a sofa designed to resemble the sun, making it a perfect choice for couples looking for a romantic and relaxing stay.

This room also features an outdoor bath with flowing spring water, allowing guests to enjoy the onsen experience in the privacy of their own space.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>
Check Hidamari Ichinoyu page on ONSENISTA

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Susukinohara Ichinoyu is the closest ryokan to the famous "Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields," one of Hakone's top tourist spots. The surrounding area of the ryokan is designated as a nature reserve, offering a tranquil and serene environment.

The ryokan consists of two buildings: the main building and the annex. The front desk and public bath are located in the main building. All guest rooms feature an outdoor bath, making it a great choice for friends or couples looking to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing time together.

Public Bath

The public bath at Susukinohara Ichinoyu features a spacious indoor bath and an outdoor bath. The indoor bath has a high ceiling, creating a sense of openness, and the view from the large windows is truly captivating. There are two types of spring waters: calcium and magnesium sulfate-chloride spring, and alkaline simple hot spring. These offer therapeutic benefits for joint pain, muscle soreness, and neuralgia.

The adjacent outdoor bath is surrounded by a cypress forest, allowing guests to relax while enjoying the lush natural scenery.

Guest Rooms

The guest rooms in the main building feature a Japanese-style space with a bright wood color scheme. There are two room types available: a twin room for two guests and a larger room that can accommodate up to four guests.

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On the other hand, the guest rooms in the annex feature a calm color scheme and are furnished with low sofas, offering a Japanese-Western style room. There are two types of rooms: a twin room for two guests and a larger room that can accommodate up to three guests. The vaulted ceiling is adorned with a design featuring the intricate patterns of Hakone yosegi-zaiku, creating a sophisticated yet elegant atmosphere.

Both the main building and the annex offer rooms with private outdoor baths, allowing guests to enjoy a relaxing soak at any time and as much as they desire.

<Quoted from the official Ichinoyu website>
Check Susukinohara Ichinoyu page on ONSENISTA

Check Official Website

Ichinoyu is a ryokan group with eight accommodations located in Hakone, one of Japan’s most famous onsen destinations. With nearly 400 years of history, Ichinoyu offers an experience that immerses guests in Japanese culture. In addition to rooms that cater to a wide range of needs, from couples to families, the ryokan provides meals that consider cultural backgrounds, ensuring a comfortable environment and excellent service for international guests. This makes Ichinoyu a place where you can truly feel the value far beyond the price. If you're planning a trip to Hakone, be sure to visit one of Ichinoyu's ryokan.

Check Tonosawa Ichinoyu Honkan

Check Hidamari Ichinoyu

Check Susukinohara IchinoyuCheck Sengokuhara Shinanoki IchinoyuCheck Hakoneji Kaiun page