THE HIRAMATSU HOTELS & RESORTS SENGOKUHARA HAKONE

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about The Hiramatsu in Sengokuhara? It’s actually tucked away in this quiet corner of Hakone that most tourists never find – I mean, you’re literally in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by those iconic pampas grass fields that look like something out of a painting. The whole area has this almost mystical quality, especially in the morning when there’s still mist hanging around the mountains. I’ll be honest, finding the place was a bit of an adventure (the GPS got confused on those winding mountain roads), but once you pull up to the entrance, you immediately get why they chose this spot. The building itself is all clean lines and natural wood – very Japanese minimalist but warm, not cold. The staff actually remembered my name from check-in throughout my stay, which sounds small but really isn’t when you’re used to big chain hotels.

What really sets this place apart is how they’ve managed to make luxury feel… well, not stuffy. The rooms have these massive windows that frame the Hakone mountains like living artwork, and honestly, I spent way too much time just sitting there with my coffee watching the light change throughout the day. The onsen experience here is something else entirely – it’s not just about the hot springs (though they’re incredible), it’s about the whole ritual of it. They have both indoor and outdoor baths, and soaking in the outdoor one while snow was falling? That’s the kind of moment that makes you understand why people travel. The restaurant situation is handled by Hiramatsu, which if you know Japanese fine dining, you know is serious business. I’m talking about kaiseki meals that are basically edible art – each course tells a story about the season and the region. Fair warning though, dinner reservations book up fast, especially during autumn when everyone comes for the foliage.

The location in Sengokuhara is actually perfect if you want to explore Hakone properly. You’re close enough to hit the major spots – the Hakone Open-Air Museum is maybe ten minutes away, and you can easily get to Lake Ashi or the ropeway – but far enough from the tourist crowds that you feel like you’ve discovered something special. I loved walking through the nearby Sengokuhara Susuki Grasslands in the late afternoon; it’s this sea of golden grass that goes on forever. The hotel can arrange transport, but honestly, having a car makes everything easier up there. One thing to note – this isn’t a place for families with young kids (they actually have age restrictions), so it stays pretty serene. The whole experience feels more like a retreat than a typical hotel stay, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to decompress from Tokyo’s madness.