The renowned Japanese OpenHouse Group will launch its first directly operated hotel, "KÚON Hakone Gora," on November 8, 2025! This hotel is a new highlight in the Hakone onsen area, featuring the intriguing concept of "a place that makes you a little more mature than yesterday." Most notably, the hotel completely breaks away from the traditional Hakone onsen hotel framework, focusing on modern tea ceremony culture and exquisite wagashi (Japanese sweets) experiences to create a unique designer hotel style. (🔎Room rates and reviews:)agoda|booking.com|Trip|klook)
The brand name KÚON comes from the ancient Chinese word for "long-lasting," representing both timelessness and universality. The overall concept is "a place for modern people to pause." The hotel's core focus is tea and wagashi (Japanese confectionery). Wagashi artist Shiho Sakamoto has been invited to oversee the hotel's modern tea ceremony experience. Upon check-in at 1:XNUMX PM, guests can enjoy a private tea room experience, where carefully selected teas from around Japan are perfectly paired with modern wagashi. This blend of tradition and innovation is truly a truly eye-catching experience.
With only 14 guest rooms, this boutique hotel offers an all-inclusive experience, allowing guests to indulge in tea ceremonies, innovative cuisine paired with tea, and enjoy a private tea room and bar. Just 1.5 hours from Tokyo, it's a promising new option for travelers seeking a high-quality getaway.
Room Types and Features｜14 Rooms with Boutique Design
This hotel features only 14 guest rooms, adopting a small-scale luxury approach, with an extended bed area of 906.33 square meters. Each room is equipped with a minibar, and all services are offered on an all-inclusive basis, allowing guests to enjoy all facilities without worrying about extra charges. The hotel was renovated by acquiring an existing building, which shortened the construction period and reduced costs by approximately 3% to 4% compared to new construction. This approach allows the OpenHouse Group to expand its hotel business more efficiently. (🔎Room rates and reviews:)agoda|booking.com|Trip|klook)
Dining Spaces and Public Facilities | A Gourmet Feast of Innovative Cuisine and Tea
The hotel's culinary offerings are truly impressive, helmed by a former head chef at a major resort, offering a unique dining experience featuring innovative cuisine paired with tea. Public facilities include a reception hall, restaurant, and a dedicated tea room/bar space. Underground parking is also available for guests arriving by car. The tea room isn't just for afternoon tea; it also transforms into a bar in the evenings, allowing guests to relax and enjoy different ambiances throughout the day and night. This multi-purpose design concept is truly ingenious.
Access and Surroundings | Reach Hakone Gora in 1.5 Hours
The hotel is located at 1322-32 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. It's approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by public transportation from Tokyo Station, and about 1.5 hours by car. The Gora area itself is renowned for Hakone's hot springs, and the surrounding area offers a wealth of sightseeing and natural beauty. Accommodation rates start at 42,000 yen per person per night, including tax, and reservations are expected to begin on August 2025, 8. This is a very reasonable price for travelers seeking a boutique hotel experience.
▲ Among the star-rated hotels in the Hakone Onsen area, Hakone Yumoto and Hakone Gora have the most choices. (source:Odakyu Electric Railway)
"This inn lives up to its philosophy, providing adults with a tranquil and relaxing retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. From the outside, it looks like a typical resort, so I was initially skeptical about its suitability, but the interior has been renovated to create a truly Zen-like atmosphere. The style is simple and stylish, but not romantic. The staff uniforms and the subtly Margiela-inspired ambiance are quite similar to the original. We thoroughly enjoyed everything: the tea ceremony, the exquisite tea and pastries, the after-dinner bar (serving Japanese craft gin), and the delicious breakfast. I think the food alone is worth around 3 yen per person. As it's a concept room, the room has an open-air hot spring that we could use at any time, which was fantastic. The hot spring water was gentle and comfortable. We arrived very early, at 1 pm, so we could soak in the hot spring before the tea ceremony. The loungewear and socks were very comfortable; I would have loved to buy them if I could. If I had to point out a downside, it would be that room amenities and loungewear were a bit hard to find, the outdoor bath water temperature dropped, making it cold on winter nights, and the ventilation fan in the room was quite noisy." For tourists using public transportation, there's only one bus route, making it somewhat inconvenient and difficult to use as a base for sightseeing. However, I'd like to stay longer next time. I happened to arrive when the hotel had just opened, so the price was very reasonable, but normally it would cost around 7 yen per person for a weekend stay. I hope they can maintain this level of quality.
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Koichiro Endo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I stayed at a friend's house. From the moment I stepped into the lobby, I could feel the hotel's understated luxury and elegant décor. In the room, the bed, table, sofa, and other areas allowed me to fully immerse myself in the Hakone atmosphere and the hotel's comfort, completely relaxing and losing track of time. The tea and refreshment experience here was unlike any other hotel in Hakone, which usually only allows guests to stay in their rooms. It was truly an unforgettable adult experience and a wonderful opportunity to create wonderful memories with friends. The food pairings were equally understated, and I tried drinks I had never tried before. The relaxed and comfortable luxury perfectly matched the hotel's brand philosophy. The hotel also has an open-air natural hot spring bath. After dinner, we went to the bar and enjoyed signature cocktails in the tea room where we had enjoyed refreshments during the day. Because it was an all-inclusive service, I could completely relax and enjoy the time without worrying about anything. The tea, food, drinks, space, and the atmosphere of the staff were all excellent, making this a pleasant and relaxing hotel. I would definitely stay here again."
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st
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I stayed for two nights during the three-day holiday. Enjoying complimentary tea and Japanese sweets in the unique atmosphere was a truly enjoyable experience. And of course, they were delicious. Breakfast and dinner were included in the room rate for both nights, and alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails were served with meals. There are so many things you can only experience here, which is fantastic. The room had a continuous supply of hot spring water, which was very convenient for taking a bath. Since the hotel had just opened, I was initially a little dissatisfied with some minor details, but I believe it will develop into an even better hotel in the future, and I will definitely stay here again."
What are the actual guest reviews of KÚON Hakone Gora?
Guest reviews for KÚON Hakone Gora are updated as of 04:46 AM on May 8, 2026. There are 1 reviews on agoda.com with an average score of 9.5 out of 10; and 25 reviews on Google Maps with an average score of 4.8 out of 5. Detailed reviews can be found on Google Maps or major booking websites.
What is the price range for online bookings at KÚON Hakone Gora?
KÚON Hakone Gora has a star rating of 0 stars (out of 5) from agoda.com. The hotel has 14 rooms. Based on the latest price search as of 04:46 AM on May 8, 2026, the lowest price per night for the next 30 days is NT$557.53. However, prices are subject to change depending on room type and season. It is recommended to check availability and actual prices directly on major online booking websites.
Which online hotel booking platform do you recommend?
agodaProvide the lowest price guarantee and A gold card rewards,booking.comThere is a free cancellation policy and abundant homestay listings.Trip.comProvide one-stop service integrating hotel booking, transportation and itinerary.klookProvides package solutions that integrate accommodation and experience activities, and each platform has its own advantages and characteristics.
Which travel booking platform do you recommend?
KKdaySuitable for in-depth travel experience and preference for Chinese customer service,klookSuitable for booking attraction tickets, transportation tickets and experience activities,Trip.comA one-stop shop for booking flights, hotels, train tickets, and local itineraries, offering discounted prices and diverse options across Asia.
Love Travel is a travel blog founded by Anya and Wendy in 2008. It has long been focused on sharing travel stories, and is also engaged in various businesses such as online shopping, social marketing, feature reports, and product reviews.
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