Uncover Hakone's Hidden Gem: Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the steaming hot springs of Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika! This isn't your overly-filtered, perfectly-posed travel brochure review. This is the real deal, the messy, honest, and maybe-slightly-biased account of my own Hakone adventure. And let me tell you, it was a trip. (pun intended).
First Impressions: The Ascent (and the Anxiety!)
Getting to Laforet Gora Yunosumika is… well, it’s Hakone. Think winding mountain roads, potential traffic (pray for no Golden Week madness!), and a scenic route that’s almost as beautiful as it is nerve-wracking. Accessibility is a mixed bag. While the hotel itself boasts some facilities for disabled guests (we'll get to that), navigating Hakone generally isn't a walk in the park if you have mobility issues. Think hills, stairs, and crowded transportation. That said, the hotel does offer airport transfer, which is a lifesaver. The car park [on-site] is good, but the car power charging station had me screaming in joy and then despair when I realized it was occupied.
The Grand Entrance (and the Quickest Check-in EVER!)
The hotel itself? Gorgeous. Think traditional Japanese architecture seamlessly blended with modern comforts. Sigh… it's the kind of place that makes you want to hold your breath, just to breathe it all in. They have contactless check-in/out, which is a godsend. No awkward desk small talk? Score! And the front desk [24-hour] is always there, ready to assist.
The Rooms: My Little Sanctuary, Where I Hid From the World
The rooms? Luxurious. My room had air conditioning, which was crucial because the humidity was doing its darnedest to turn me into a puddle. I loved the blackout curtains – a must for a good night's sleep after a day of onsen-ing. They also had free Wi-Fi (praise the internet gods! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!), a refrigerator for midnight snacks (don't judge), and complimentary tea. Small things. BIG difference. As far as the Internet goes, everything worked. I'm not a techie but they have Internet access – wireless AND Internet access – LAN if you're into that. The desk was perfect for pretending I was doing work while secretly plotting my next spa appointment. The bathrobes were fluffy, the slippers even fluffier. It's the little things, right?
I’m pretty sure all rooms are non-smoking, which is a big plus. All the basics were covered like alarm clock, bathrobes, hair dryer, in-room safe box, mirror, safety/security feature, satellite/cable channels, telephone, toiletries, towels, and wake-up service. Pretty much everything you could want from a hotel.
But wait, there's more! One of the best features… the window that opens! It might sound silly, but I love fresh air and found myself opening the window as much as possible to bring in the mountain air.
Food, Glorious Food: A Tale of Buffets and Ramen Raves
Let's talk food. Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika gives you options. Lots and lots of options. The breakfast [buffet] was an experience. A beautiful, chaotic experience. Think mountains of food, from the usual Western fare (bread, eggs, bacon) to a seriously impressive Asian breakfast spread. They had Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant It was… overwhelming in the best possible way. I’m pretty sure I ate enough to feed a small army (or at least a ravenous travel blogger). The Coffee/tea in restaurant was on point! It’s worth noting that there is a Vegetarian restaurant too. They have a snack bar so you can buy a quick bite and a coffee shop.
Here's where things get REALLY interesting: The hotel has several restaurants, including restaurants with A la carte in restaurants, and even a Happy hour at the Bar. They also have room service [24-hour], which let's be real, you might need after a long day onsen-ing. I wish I had ordered the bottle of water and maybe a salad in restaurant, as I spent a lot of money elsewhere later in the trip to satisfy my thirst.
The Onsen (and the Glorious, Awkward Nudity)
Okay, let's get to the heart of the matter: the onsen (Japanese hot spring). It's a must-do in Hakone, and Laforet Gora Yunosumika does it right. They have a spa/sauna, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, and steamroom, but the star attraction is the onsen itself.
The first time? A bit awkward. You’re naked. With strangers. But honestly, after a few minutes, you just… relax. The water is unbelievably soothing, the views… breathtaking. The hotel has a pool with view for those preferring to be less exposed. It was a religious experience. Do it. Just… do it.
Spa Day: Body Scrub and Bliss
Did I mention the spa? Oh, I did indulge. I opted for the Body scrub and a massage to truly reset my body and mind. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping the Germs at Bay (Plus, the Quirks!)
Okay, let's talk safety. Especially after this pandemic, you want to make sure you stay safe. Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika takes it seriously. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Handle sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment. It's reassuring to know they're taking precautions, but they still manage to keep the experience relaxing. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available if you prefer! They also have CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], and Smoke alarms.
Things to Do (Besides Eating and Napping)
Hakone is an adventure. Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika is a great base for exploring. They sadly don't have Bicycle parking, but you can always take advantage of the Taxi service if you want a quicker commute. The hotel offers meeting/banquet facilities and even Seminars if you're feeling productive. They also have an indoor venue for special events, so you can even host a private party!
For the Kids (And the Big Kids at Heart!)
I didn't have any kids with me, but the hotel seems very family-friendly. They have Babysitting service, and Kids facilities and even offer Kids meal.
The Little Things (That Make a Big Difference!)
Here are some of the things I appreciated that the hotel has: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, On-site event hosting, Projector/LED display, Proposal spot, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, and Xerox/fax in business center.
The Verdict: Should You Stay Here? Heck Yeah!
Look, Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika isn't perfect. No place is. But it's a truly special place. It's comfortable, beautiful, and that onsen? Legendary. It's a place to unwind, to connect with nature, and to completely forget about the stresses of everyday life.
My Quirky Anecdote
I forgot my toothbrush. Horrified. I thought I was going to have to walk around with green breath for the duration of the trip, or suffer the indignity of toothless selfies. Thankfully, they have a convenience store, where I was rescued. It's the little things, people!
NOW, the REAL Deal: My Persuasive Offer
Tired of the Grind? Escape to Hakone!
Are you craving a getaway that's more than just a vacation? Do you need to recharge your soul? Then you NEED to experience Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika.
Here's why you should book NOW:
- Unwind in Luxury: Imagine sinking into a hot spring with views that will take your breath away. Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosum
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-filtered Instagram travel guide. This is the real, messy, slightly-dysfunctional experience of someone actually being in Hakone. And yes, it's going to involve a lot of rambling. Fair warning.
The Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika Odyssey: A Journey Through My Own Neurosis (and Hot Springs)
Day 1: Arrival and the Terrifyingly Relaxing Onsen
- 1:00 PM (Ishikawa): Arrive at Odawara station via the bullet train (Shinkansen). Okay, first things first: I almost missed it. I swear, Japanese train stations are designed to be a maze. Managed to navigate the ticket machines (victory!), but then accidentally ended up in the wrong carriage. Thank god for a kind salaryman who pointed me in the right direction! Thank you, kind Salaryman!
- 2:00 PM (Ishikawa): Check-in at Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika. "Oh, a view of the mountains!" the receptionist says. I get a room with a view of… a forested hillside. Still, pretty. The lobby smells faintly of cedar and… is that… expensive air freshener? They really splurge, eh?
- 3:00 PM (Gora): The cable car. Omg. The cable car. It's like riding in a giant, slowly-ascending, glass sardine can. I hate heights. This is a bad idea. A very bad idea. Pretty view, though. I clench my teeth and try not to scream. Also, the air gets thinner the higher we go, so I'm short of breath.
- 4:00 PM (Onsen Hell (kinda)): Okay, so… the onsen. I've been picturing myself gracefully descending into a steaming pool of zen serenity. Reality? A slightly awkward stripping session in a crowded changing room, followed by me tentatively peeking out at my fellow bathers. Am I doing it right? Are my shoulders too tense? I'm pretty sure I forgot to wash behind my ears. Is that weird? The water is amazing, though. So hot. So relaxing… until I start over-thinking all my life choices. Definitely worth it.
- 6:00 PM (Dinner Dilemma): The hotel restaurant. Wow, so many tiny, exquisitely-arranged plates of food. I feel underdressed. I’m pretty sure I just ate something that was… alive. But it was… delicious? Now I don’t know what to do.
- 7:30 PM (Moonlight and Regret): Stroll (attempted) through the hotel gardens. Beautiful, illuminated pathways. I nearly trip over a rock. My clumsiness is a constant presence. I vow to be graceful tomorrow. Spoiler alert: this will not happen. The moon does make it a little less scary though.
Day 2: Art, Volcanoes, and My Deep-Seated Fear of Tourist Traps
- 9:00 AM (Breakfast Drama): Breakfast buffet! I grab a mountain of food. I’m so hungry, maybe I just should’ve gotten room service. Regret.
- 10:00 AM (Hakone Open-Air Museum): This place is… actually incredible. Giant sculptures against a backdrop of mountains? Genius. I spend an hour just wandering, feeling vaguely philosophical, and taking photos of the same damn thing from 5 different angles. The Picasso museum is also pretty sick. Honestly, I could live here. Except for the fact that it’s crawling with tourists. I hate tourists. Everyone else is a tourist.
- 1:00 PM (Lunch Rush): Find a soba noodle place. I thought the line was going to be horrendous; it wasn't. I end up eating it standing up, surrounded by other hungry people and the general hubbub of a tourist hot spot. Noodles were fantastic, but let's be honest, it will always be better in a slightly less crowded, more authentically "local" type of place.
- 2:30 PM (Hakone Ropeway of Doom (Part Two)): Oh god. The ropeway. AGAIN. This time it's even more terrifying because we're going over an active volcano. I'm pretty sure I can smell sulfur. Everyone else seems unfazed. I try to act casual. Fail. I swear the cable car swayed. I’m sure it didn’t. I am positive it did. The views of the volcanic landscape are stunning and terrifying, but again, the altitude is killing me.
- 4:00 PM (Lake Ashi Cruise of Mediocrity): We cruise across Lake Ashi. The lake is pretty. The boat is touristy. The views are mostly obscured by clouds. I am profoundly underwhelmed. My only real highlight is the pirate ship. It’s stupid and silly and I secretly love it.
- 6:00 PM (Dinner at the Hotel (Part 2)): Another exquisite multi-course meal. I become slightly less terrified of the food. Maybe my palate is expanding. Maybe I'm just really hungry. Definitely the latter.
- 8:00 PM (The Onsen, Again): Okay, I've gotten over my initial onsen anxiety. I still forget to wash behind my ears. The hot water is pure heaven. I could stay in here forever. I vow to move to Japan.
Day 3: Departure and the Eternal Quest for Inner Peace (and Decent Coffee)
- 9:00 AM (Coffee Crisis): Okay, this is a real crisis. The hotel coffee is… weak. I desperately need a good cup of coffee. I wander the hotel, searching but finding only… nothing. Note to self: pack instant coffee next time.
- 10:00 AM (Hakone Botanical Garden of… Stuff): Honestly, I was half expecting another tourist trap. It was surprisingly pleasant. A welcome respite from the tourist crowds. The tranquility is welcome.
- 12:00 PM (Lunch on the Run): Grab a quick lunch at a convenience store because I need to get to the station. I'm a big fan of the onigiri.
- 1:00 PM (The Train and the Goodbye): Back on the bullet train. I am simultaneously sad to leave and relieved to be going home. Hakone was beautiful. Hakone was stressful. Hakone was… me. I promise myself to learn some useful Japanese before I return (if I ever do, which… maybe). This trip was a blast. I am going to miss the onsen, I need to start planning my next trip!
- 2:00 PM (Arrival Home): Home sweet home. Now for a real cup of coffee. And to unpack the laundry, which is a whole different kind of adventure.
Uncover Hakone's Hidden Gem: Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika - FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, You Need Answers!)
Okay, spill. Is Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika *really* a hidden gem, or is it just cleverly marketed? (Because my cynicism is at an all-time high.)
Alright, alright, settle down, Grumpy Gus. Is it a *total* hidden gem? Probably not, because the internet exists. But is it *mostly* undiscovered by the legions of Instagrammers? Yeah, I'd say so. And honestly? It felt pretty hidden when I was wrestling with the bus schedules and trying to find the darn place. (Pro tip: the bus service is...a *process*.) There's a certain... intimacy, you know? A feeling you won't get swarmed by selfie sticks every five seconds. So I'd say, yeah, pretty darn gem-like.
The onsen... TELL ME ABOUT THE ONSEN! Is it actually relaxing, or just hot water with a view? (Because I've seen some "views"...)
Okay, the onsen. *Deep breath.* This is where things get... personal. I'm a total onsen novice, I’ll admit it. I'm more used to, you know, showers. But at Yunosumika? Pure, unadulterated bliss. The outdoor bath? Oh. My. God. Picture this: crisp mountain air, steam rising, the rustle of leaves, and *nude* (yes, people, nude!) and me and feeling awkward but somehow *that's* the charm here, you understand? You soak in the hot water, and the world just... melts away. Seriously. I'm talking existential crisis *poof* gone. The indoor onsen was cool too – but that outdoor one? Life-changing. Well, maybe not *life-changing*, but definitely made me want to invest in a better bath bomb.
What’s the food situation? My stomach is a demanding dictator. Are we talking instant ramen, or something vaguely resembling actual cuisine?
Alright, dictator stomach, listen up. The food is... GOOD. REALLY good. I’m a picky eater, and even *I* was impressed. Breakfast was a glorious spread of Japanese and Western options. (The scrambled eggs? Perfect. Don't judge me.) Dinner? We went for the kaiseki (multi-course) meal, and it was a culinary journey. Tiny, beautiful dishes, each one a work of art, and delicious! Okay, fine, I didn't love *every* single thing, but that's a me problem. The presentation alone was worth the price of admission. It's not cheap, mind you. But you're paying for an experience. And you get it, with all the little dishes! My partner, though? They were in heaven. Devoured everything. I think I even saw them lick the plate at one point, probably because the rice was just that good with the sauce.
The rooms! Are they tiny shoeboxes like everything else in Japan, or can you actually breathe in there?
Look, Japan and space, let's be real, aren't always best friends. But the rooms at Yunosumika? Pleasantly surprising. We went for a slightly bigger room. It had a balcony, which made the whole experience feel truly special. You could actually move around without tripping over your own feet! The design is lovely, minimalist (as you'd expect), but warm and inviting. It didn't feel cramped. Plus, the view from our window was stunning. Mountains! Cherry blossoms! (Depending on the season, obviously. My trip was lucky!) I'd actually hang out in the room. Which is a HUGE deal for me. I'm usually itching to get OUT. A+ for the rooms.
Okay, fine, you've sold me. But what about the location? Is it easy to get to? Because I’m directionally challenged and easily frustrated.
Ugh, okay, the location. It's in Hakone, which is beautiful, but the getting there...is a bit of a *process*. You'll probably take a train from Tokyo, then a local bus. The bus situation… it's a bit of a wild west. The timetables are sometimes a mystery. I spent a good hour staring blankly at a bus stop, trying to decipher Japanese and the cryptic signs. The staff at Yunosumika were super helpful, though. They even offered to pick us up from the station. (Bless them!) So, yes, it *is* accessible. But pack your patience. And maybe learn a few basic phrases. Like "Where is the bus?" and "Help, I'm lost."
Are there any activities besides soaking in the onsen and eating delicious food? Because I get bored easily.
Yes, there are! Hakone is a treasure trove of things to do. You've got the famous volcanic hot springs, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, lakes, art museums, hiking trails... Seriously, you can fill your days. We took a boat ride on Lake Ashi, which was stunning. Then, we wandered around the Open-Air Museum, which was a blast... until the rain started. We then ran inside, and I got to see some cool stuff indoors too. The area's a delight for art-lovers and nature enthusiasts. You can easily spend a few days exploring the area. (Just remember to check the weather forecast, and pack accordingly. Especially if you plan to hike!)
The staff... are they friendly? Because sometimes, the service in Japan can be a bit... reserved. (And I need my ego stroked.)
The staff at Yunosumika were amazing. Warm, welcoming, and incredibly helpful. They spoke English well, and went out of their way to make our stay comfortable. One time, I had a huge suitcase and I was struggling to carry it across the lobby. A staff member saw me, and practically ran over to help and, I said, "Thank you!" and then I just wanted to give them a hug and all the chocolates. They were absolutely lovely. They could probably get away with being less charming but they really were the best. If you're a demanding traveler, you'll be happy!
So, what was the *absolute best* part? Seriously, what's burned into your memory forever?
Okay, buckle up, because this is the part where I get all gooey and sentimental. It was the *outdoor onsen*. The moment – *the* moment – when I first stepped into that steaming water, with the cool mountain air on my face... It was pure bliss. Not just because it was relaxing... but because I was *finally* letting go. I'd had a stressful few months, and I was carrying so much tension. But in that onsen, surrounded by nature, I just... melted. The sunQuick Hotel Finder
