From Nagoya to Hakone:

Finding the Best Hotel We’ve Ever Stayed In

After several days exploring Nagoya and spending an entire day wandering through the magical world of Studio Ghibli Park, it was time for a change of pace.

Our next stop was the mountain town of Gora, located in the famous Hakone region of Japan. Hakone is best known for its hot springs, mountain scenery, traditional ryokan stays, and on clear days, views of Mount Fuji. It’s a destination many people visit as a quick day trip from Tokyo, but I had something much more relaxing in mind.

Months earlier, while browsing Hotels.com, I stumbled across a property that looked almost too good to be real: Hakone Gora KARAKU, part of the ORIX Hotels & Resorts collection. The photos were gorgeous, the reviews were exceptional, and after a little internal debate about whether I could justify the splurge, I clicked “Book.”

Looking back, it may have been the best travel decision I made during our entire three-week trip.

The Journey Into the Mountains

Getting there was surprisingly easy.

We boarded the Shinkansen in Nagoya and headed toward Odawara, the gateway to Hakone. As always, the train ride was smooth, comfortable, and impressively efficient.

The luxury treatment began the moment we arrived.

Rather than figuring out another series of local trains and buses, our hotel had arranged a shuttle pickup directly from Odawara Station. After weeks of hauling luggage through train stations and navigating crowds, seeing a driver waiting for us felt incredibly indulgent.

Then came the drive. And what a drive it was.

If you’ve never been to Hakone, imagine a mountain road determined to test every turn your steering wheel can make.

The shuttle climbed higher and higher into the mountains, winding through dense forests and around seemingly endless switchbacks. The scenery was spectacular, but anyone prone to motion sickness may want to come prepared.

The road just kept climbing. And climbing. And climbing.

At several points I looked out the window and spotted homes and small buildings that appeared to be clinging to the mountainside by sheer determination. Some parking spaces seemed to be suspended on stilts over steep slopes, defying every building code my Canadian brain assumed existed.

When people describe Gora as a mountain destination, they’re not exaggerating.

This isn’t a town near the mountains.

It is the mountains.

First Impressions of Gora

By the time we reached Gora, we felt worlds away from the cities we had been exploring.

The air was cooler. The forests were impossibly lush. And the soundtrack was unlike anything we’d experienced elsewhere in Japan.

Cicadas. Thousands and thousands of cicadas.

The sound filled the mountainside from morning until evening. Normally, you’d think that would be overwhelming, but somehow it became part of the magic. The constant chorus felt almost hypnotic, blending perfectly with the surrounding forest.

It was one of those moments where everything suddenly slows down.

Checking Into Paradise

Then we arrived at Hakone Gora KARAKU

Honestly, the photographs don’t fully prepare you for it.

Opened in 2020, the property was designed to blend modern luxury with traditional Japanese hospitality. Every one of its guest rooms includes a private open-air bath, and the hotel itself features panoramic hot spring baths overlooking the mountains of Hakone. It was also recognized with a Michelin Key distinction, awarded to hotels that provide exceptional stays.

I had booked the Breakfast Included, East Wing Deluxe Western Style Room with Open-Air Bath, and from the moment we stepped inside, it exceeded every expectation.

The attention to detail was extraordinary. Natural wood. Beautiful textures. Traditional design elements. Thoughtful lighting.

Everything felt calm, intentional, and authentically Japanese without ever feeling forced or staged.

Even the scent of the room was part of the experience. A traditional incense setup welcomed guests, creating an atmosphere that was relaxing and unmistakably Japanese.

It wasn’t just a hotel room. It was an experience.

The Private Open-Air Bath and Sauna

The feature that immediately stole my heart was our private outdoor space.

Nestled on the deck was our own open-air bath overlooking the surrounding forest.

There is something incredibly special about soaking in hot mineral water while staring out at layers of green mountains and listening to cicadas echo through the trees.

And then there was the sauna. Yes. A private sauna. On our deck.

I don’t think I fully appreciated how luxurious that was until I found myself alternating between the sauna and the outdoor bath while surrounded by one of the most beautiful landscapes I’d ever seen.

At that point, sightseeing suddenly seemed very overrated.

Waking Up to a Traditional Japanese Breakfast

The following morning delivered another highlight.

The breakfast.

I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels over the years. Most breakfast buffets blur together after a while.

This was different.

Rather than a generic buffet, breakfast was a beautifully presented traditional Japanese meal featuring a variety of carefully prepared seasonal dishes. The presentation alone felt like artwork. Every plate, bowl, and ingredient seemed chosen with intention. The hotel’s dining experience emphasizes local ingredients and traditional Japanese culinary techniques.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t noisy. It wasn’t people fighting over the last croissant. It was calm, elegant, and one of those rare travel experiences you’ll still remember years later.

Why It’s Worth It

I’ve stayed in luxury hotels before.

I’ve stayed in beautiful hotels before.

I’ve even stayed in hotels that cost significantly more than this one.

But Hakone Gora KARAKU was different. It wasn’t just the room. It wasn’t just the private bath. It wasn’t just the incredible food.

It was how everything worked together, from the mountain setting and the sounds of the forest to the remarkable attention to detail and the impeccable level of hospitality.

For two nights, it felt less like staying at a hotel and more like stepping into another world.

I can confidently say this, It remains the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in.