Hakone Kowakien Yunessun

Must Do Experiences

• Soak in the signature Red Wine Bath, where a giant bottle pours antioxidant-rich wine into a steaming pool shaped like a wine barrel.

• Experience the Coffee Bath, featuring a giant coffee cup that pours fresh brew into the water, perfect for waking up your senses and softening your skin.

• Relax in the traditional Mori-no-Yu open-air hot springs, embracing the serene, forested landscape of Hakone in a classic Japanese onsen setting.

• Slide down the thrilling water slides and splash around in the outdoor hot spring pools at the Yunessun swimsuit zone with your family.

Hidden Gems

• Visit the Sake Bath early in the morning to enjoy the rich aroma of premium Japanese rice wine without the midday crowds, which is said to promote excellent skin hydration.

• Look for the hidden Dokuburo herbal bath in the traditional zone, a uniquely themed medicinal bath designed to detoxify and rejuvenate tired muscles.

• Take a stroll through the adjacent Hakone Kowakien Garden after your soak to see the beautiful traditional Japanese landscape garden, which is often overlooked by rushed day-trippers.

What Makes it Special

• The resort brilliantly bridges the gap between traditional Japanese onsen culture and modern entertainment, allowing families and friends to enjoy hot springs together in swimsuits.

• It features highly unusual, ingredient-infused baths like green tea, ramen broth, and red wine that you simply cannot find at standard hot spring resorts.

• The seamless integration of indoor and outdoor bathing areas provides stunning, year-round views of the lush Hakone mountains while you soak.

Perfect Timing

When to visit for the best experience

The best time to visit is on a weekday morning right at opening time to avoid the heavy weekend and holiday crowds, especially in the popular themed baths. Autumn and winter offer the most magical experience, as the crisp, cool mountain air perfectly contrasts with the steaming outdoor hot springs.

Photography Guide

Capture the perfect shots

• Photography is strictly prohibited in the traditional Mori-no-Yu bathing areas to respect the privacy of other guests, so leave your phone in your locker.

• Capture vibrant, fun photos in the swimsuit-friendly Yunessun zone, focusing on the giant wine bottle and coffee cup structures against the backdrop of the lush green mountains.

• Take advantage of the soft, natural morning light filtering through the trees to photograph the steam rising from the open-air rock baths for a dramatic, atmospheric shot.

Cultural Etiquette

Respect local customs and traditions

When visiting the traditional gender-separated onsen, it is customary to wash your body thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the communal baths, and you must not let your small modesty towel touch the bathwater. Tattoos are generally not permitted in the traditional Mori-no-Yu zone, so visitors with visible ink should cover them with waterproof bandages or stick to the swimsuit-friendly Yunessun area. Tipping is not practiced in Japan, and excellent service is simply part of the standard hospitality you will receive.

Special Events & Experiences

Enhanced experiences and seasonal highlights

• During the winter months, the resort often hosts special illumination events and yuzu citrus baths around the winter solstice to celebrate the season and promote good health.

• In spring, the nearby Hakone Kowakien Garden and surrounding areas burst into color with cherry blossoms, making it a popular time for hanami combined with a relaxing soak.

• The resort frequently introduces limited-time seasonal baths, such as matcha green tea in spring or sweet potato baths in autumn, keeping the experience fresh for returning visitors.

Important Guidelines & Safety

Essential safety information and guidelines

• Limit your time in the hotter themed baths like the red wine and coffee pools to 10 or 15 minutes at a time to prevent overheating and dizziness.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or electrolyte beverages from the vending machines between your soaking sessions.

• Watch your step on the wet, slippery stone pathways around the outdoor baths, especially when moving between the different themed pools.