Kanagawa Prefecture contains two very different travel experiences requiring very different accommodation strategies: Hakone (mountain onsen resort town) and Yokohama/Kamakura (urban coast). Plan which you’re prioritising before booking.

Best Areas to Stay

Hakone — Japan’s Premier Onsen Resort

A mountainous national park 90 minutes from Tokyo by Romancecar express. Staying overnight transforms the experience — day-trippers leave, the mountain mist thickens, and ryokan dinners and private baths become the evening. Best for: couples, honeymooners, anyone who wants the quintessential Japanese ryokan experience.

Yokohama Waterfront (Minato Mirai)

Hotels overlooking Yokohama Bay with the landmark Ferris wheel and Landmark Tower skyline. Excellent access to Chinatown, Yamashita Park, and the Red Brick Warehouse. Best for: families, business travellers, those wanting a more relaxed alternative to Tokyo.

Kamakura

The ancient capital with 65 temples and shrines. Small guesthouses and inns in residential neighbourhoods near Hase or Kita-Kamakura station. Best for: travellers focused on temples, meditation, and nature.

Hakone Ryokan — Luxury (¥50,000–¥200,000+/pp)

Gora Kadan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A national cultural property — a former imperial summer villa converted into one of Japan’s most celebrated ryokan. Stone garden designed by landscaping master Nakane Kinsaku, cuisine incorporating Hakone mountain vegetables, and a famous outdoor bath with seasonal views. Location: Gora. Best season: Autumn foliage.

Hakone Ginyu ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Clifftop ryokan with private open-air baths (rotenburo) attached to every room — a genuine rarity even in Japan. Views over the Hayakawa valley through bamboo groves. Kaiseki dinner showcasing Kanagawa seafood. Location: Miyagino.

Fujiya Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Historic)

Japan’s oldest Western-style hotel, founded 1878, with a storied past — Albert Einstein and John Lennon both stayed here. After a major renovation, it combines Victorian grandeur with modern comforts. Historic rooms are more characterful than the newer wing. Location: Miyanoshita.

Hakone — Mid-Range (¥18,000–¥50,000/pp)

Hakone Yuryo

A day-use and overnight onsen facility with beautifully designed hinoki cypress baths and seasonal outdoor pools. Private family baths available by the hour. Great for those wanting authentic onsen without full ryokan pricing. Location: Tonosawa.

Yama no Hotel

A reasonably-priced ryokan on the shores of Lake Ashinoko with direct Fuji views from the rotenburo on clear days. Simple, clean tatami rooms. More affordable than most Hakone options. Location: Moto-Hakone.

Yokohama Hotels

InterContinental Yokohama Grand ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A sail-shaped tower at the tip of Minato Mirai with rooms facing the bay, the harbour, or the cityscape. The restaurant and bar on the upper floors are a Yokohama institution. Area: Minato Mirai.

Yokohama Royal Park Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Occupies floors 52–67 of the Yokohama Landmark Tower — Japan’s second-tallest building. Rooms above the 60th floor offer unobstructed views to Fuji on clear days. Well-managed with excellent breakfast options.

Hotel New Grand (Historic)

Yokohama’s grande dame, founded 1927, overlooking Yamashita Park. MacArthur briefly made it his HQ in 1945. Classic rooms, old-world service, and a superb location facing the harbour. Mid-range pricing for a genuinely historic hotel.

Kamakura Stays

Kamakura Palace Hotel

A small, well-located hotel in the hills above Hase with views toward Sagami Bay. Simple rooms, private parking, and genuinely helpful staff. Walking distance to Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) and Hase-dera.

Cozy Garden Kamakura (Guesthouse)

A beautifully converted traditional Japanese house near Kita-Kamakura Station. Western and Japanese-style rooms. Japanese garden, shared sitting room with fireplace. Perfect base for temple-focused itineraries.

Practical Tips

  • Hakone Free Pass: Covers the Romancecar from Shinjuku, the Hakone Tozan Railway, ropeway, and lake ferry. Buy at Shinjuku Station. Significantly reduces transport costs.
  • Ryokan check-in: Typically 15:00–17:00 with dinner at 18:00 or 19:00 — do not arrive late without calling ahead.
  • Onsen rules: Tattoos are prohibited at most onsen (including ryokan shared baths). Some properties now offer private baths as an alternative — confirm before booking if relevant.
  • Peak seasons: Cherry blossom (late March–April), autumn leaves (mid-November), and New Year (Dec 29–Jan 3) see demand surge. Book Hakone ryokan 6 months ahead.
  • Kamakura day trip vs. overnight: Kamakura can be done as a day trip from Tokyo or Yokohama, but an overnight stay lets you experience the quiet after the day-tour crowds depart.