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EXPERIENCE THE NEW KAI HAKONE: REOPENING AUGUST 13 AS A TOKAIDO ROAD ONSEN RETREAT (Japan)
Introducing the new "Sawa-chaya Tea House" in the courtyard, two exclusive suite rooms, and a New KAI Cultural Discovery Program. |
Category: Asia Pacific - Japan - Industry economy
- Renovation / Addition
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on Monday 11 August 2025
 New "Hakone Gokochi Suite" - A Luxurious Suite Exceeding 110㎡
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
The hotel's new concept, "An Onsen Retreat Immersed in the History of the Tokaido Road," is woven into its design and hospitality, allowing guests to feel the spirit of the travelers who once journeyed along this historic route.
The renovation introduces the new "Sawa-chaya Tea House," where guests can enjoy tea and dango rice dumplings, and two exclusive "Hakone Gokochi Suite" rooms.
A new KAI Cultural Discovery program is offering a unique Hakone Yosegi Zaiku experience, allowing guests to discover a part of Hakone marquetry-making process. The renewed KAI Hakone invites guests to fully experience the "Hakone-esque" charm born from its rich nature, traditional crafts, and the culture of the Tokaido Road.
About KAI Hakone
Located in Hakone-Yumoto, known as the gateway to Hakone, this hot spring resort is situated in one of Japan's most historic hot spring regions, with a history spanning over 1,200 years. Known as the "Twenty Springs," Hakone is home to a diverse array of hot springs, including Sengokuhara and Gora, that have long provided healing to visitors. With the development of the Tokaido Road in the early Edo period, Hakone flourished as a crucial transportation hub and post town. Thanks to its abundant spring water, it became a popular spot for travelers to enjoy a restorative one-night hot spring stay. Hoshino Resorts KAI Hakone stands on the old Hakone Kaido road, which once led to the Hakone Pass. Its greatest charm is its location, nestled in a setting of abundant nature, alongside the clear Sukumo River and with views of Mt. Yusaka, where hot spring water gushes forth. Here, guests can reflect on the paths of ancient travelers while surrendering to the famous historic springs and finding peace in the ever-changing beauty of nature. It is a place to deeply connect with the rich history and traditions of Hakone.
Key Features of the KAI Hakone Renovation
1. Guest Rooms
■ All Rooms to be Renovated into the KAI Signature Room, "Hakone Gokochi (Hakone-esque) Room"
At KAI, each property features KAI Signature Rooms, which enable guests to immerse themselves in the local culture. With the renovation, all guest rooms will be transformed into the "Hakone Gokochi Room." The design is inspired by the travelers of the Tokaido Road, with artwork on the walls depicting traditional "sandogasa" hats and "hikimawashi-gappa" rain ponchos that protected travelers from the elements. The bed liners feature an original design adorned with traditional travel tools, including "waraji" straw sandals and "chochin" lanterns. Guests can enjoy a tranquil stay, listening to the murmuring of the clear Sukumo River and imagining the journeys of travelers past.
■ New "Hakone Gokochi Suite" - A Luxurious Suite Exceeding 110㎡
Two exclusive suite rooms have been created, featuring a living area with a dedicated desk and a sunken sofa space, offering different perspectives of the stunning Mt. Yusaka landscape. The private open-air bath also provides seasonal views, and guests can cool down after a soak in the adjacent "Ishi-no-ma Room," a relaxing space with a small garden. The suite includes two separate bedrooms, accommodating up to four guests. By providing various distinct spaces, the suite is ideal for family trips with adult children or parents, allowing guests to relax together while maintaining a comfortable distance.
2. Public Spaces: "Sawa-chaya Tea House" - A New Hub for Relaxation
The new "Sawa-chaya Tea House" in the courtyard is a relaxing space inspired by the tea houses where travelers once stopped along the Hakone road. Upon arrival, staff members, acting as the proprietors of the tea house, welcome guests with tea and dango. In the evening, herbal tea and alcoholic beverages are offered. This comfortable space is open to guests at any time, whether for a post-soak rest or a final break before departure. The name "Sawa-chaya" holds three meanings: "sawa" (stream), referring to the Sukumo River; the "sawa-sawa" sound of trees rustling; and "sawa," meaning "chat," reflecting the hope that, just as travelers once deepened their connections at tea houses, guests can deepen their bonds with loved ones here.
3. KAI Cultural Discovery: Authentic Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Experience in a Dedicated Workshop-Inspired Space
This KAI Cultural Discovery program offers guests a chance to experience a part of the Hakone marquetry-making process. The program was realized in collaboration with the artisans of "Tsuyuki Mokkojo," a workshop that has been sharing the charm of Hakone marquetry with KAI since the ryokan's opening in 2012. In the Hakone Yosegi Zaiku experience, guests can witness a beautiful marquetry pattern emerge as they use a plane to shave a thin sheet of wood from a "tanegi" block. The shaved sheet, called "zuku," can then be made into a photo frame, creating a lasting memory. The room where the KAI Cultural Discovery takes place is designed to evoke a craftsman's workshop, featuring raw wood materials. The adjacent shop offers a variety of marquetry products for purchase, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the world of Hakone marquetry, from raw materials to finished pieces.
4. Cuisine: "Meiji Era Beef Hot Pot" Kaiseki Course Expressing the Flow of Time
Served in semi-private dining spaces, the Kaiseki cuisine is inspired by Hakone's history. The course begins with a starter that includes "Amazake Vichyssoise," a chilled soup made with amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) often consumed at the Hakone Pass, and a seasonal assortment of eight delicacies, all presented in a wooden box reminiscent of the "hasami-bako" that travelers used to carry their belongings. The main dish, the "Meiji Era Beef Hot Pot," is a signature creation that celebrates Hakone's early adoption of Western cuisine, which was enjoyed by the Europeans and upper-class individuals who visited the hot spring resort. It features thick-cut beef seasoned with a miso-based sauce. The meal offers a culinary journey that allows guests to experience the transition from the Edo to the Meiji era through its flavors.
5. Hot Springs: A Semi-Open-Air Public Bath with Picturesque Views
The spacious semi-open-air public bath allows guests to enjoy a soak while gazing up at a large maple tree right in front of them. Hakone-Yumoto Onsen, one of the most prominent hot springs in Hakone, is a sodium chloride spring known for its benefits for conditions such as poor circulation. The spring water's salt content coats the skin, leaving it feeling moisturized and smooth, while the warmth is retained long after leaving the bath. From the bath filled with this smooth and gentle water, guests can enjoy the seasonal scenery of Mt. Yusaka.
-Spring Quality: Sodium Chloride Spring
-Feature: Semi-open-air bath
Hoshino Resorts KAI Hakone Overview
Facility Name: Hoshino Resorts KAI Hakone
Address: 230 Yumoto-chaya, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, 250-0312
Phone: +81-50-3134-8092 (KAI Reservations)
Number of Rooms: 34 rooms
Room Breakdown: 6 Japanese-style rooms (capacity 2 people), 11 Japanese-style rooms (capacity 4 people), 5 Japanese-style rooms (capacity 5 people), 1 Japanese-style room with a terrace, 6 Japanese-Western style rooms with a living area overlooking the stream, 2 Western-style rooms with an open-air bath, 2 Hakone Gokochi Suites, 1 pet-friendly room.
Facilities: Lobby, Travel library, Shop, Dining Area, Courtyard, Sawa-chaya Tea House, Public hot spring (separate for men and women, each with a semi-open-air bath), Yuagari lounge, KAI Cultural Discovery room.
Price: From 38,000 JPY per person per night (for a party of two, including tax, service charge, and two meals).
Access: A 7-minute drive from Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Odakyu Line.
Official Website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaihakone/
Reopening Date: August 13, 2025
Renovation Project Overview
Building Area: 1,905.68 m2
Total Floor Area: 5,216.08 m2
Site Area: 5,452.09 m2
Architectural Design Supervision: Sakakura Associates Architects and Engineers
Landscape Design Supervision: Kanade Design Office
Detailed Design: Yuki Ito Architectural Design
Construction Start Date: September 9, 2024
About KAI
Onsen Ryokan loved by local and overseas travelers
KAI is a leading brand of onsen ryokan where every establishment offers a contemporary take on traditional Japanese inn whilst keeping Western comforts. KAI invites one to discover the multifaceted aspects of Japan through natural hot springs, exploration of local arts and entertainment, and classic Kaiseki-style course meals using local and seasonal flavors. Experience Washoku, Japanese cuisine, presented on carefully selected ceramics for full exposure to culinary sensations.
 KAI Cultural Discovery: Authentic Hakone Yosegi Zaiku Experience in a Dedicated Workshop-Inspired Space
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
 Cuisine: "Meiji Era Beef Hot Pot" Kaiseki Course Expressing the Flow of Time
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
 All Rooms to be Renovated into the KAI Signature Room, "Hakone Gokochi (Hakone-esque) Room"
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
 The private open-air bath also provides seasonal views, and guests can cool down after a soak in the adjacent "Ishi-no-ma Room"
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
 Ths KAI Cultural Discovery program offers guests a chance to experience a part of the Hakone marquetry-making process
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
 Hot Springs: A Semi-Open-Air Public Bath with Picturesque Views
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
 "Sawa-chaya Tea House" - A New Hub for Relaxation
Photo credit © Hoshino Resorts
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