With just 14 rooms, they say this intimate ryokan offers a more personal experience than some of Hakone's larger properties. What makes it special, according to them, is how it preserves that Taisho-era charm - the architecture and gardens feel like stepping back into 1920s Japan.

The natural hot springs here are apparently spectacular, and having fewer guests means you often get the baths to yourself. They particularly praise the seasonal kaiseki meals, which they say manage to feel both traditional and creative.

Our family specifically recommends requesting a room overlooking the Japanese garden if possible. They say the smaller size of the ryokan means you get more attentive service, and the staff takes time to explain traditional customs to foreign guests. While it might not have all the modern luxuries of newer properties, they insist that's part of its charm - this is for travelers who want to experience Hakone as it was a century ago.