Nothing - the experience was perfect!!

We had a traditionally Ryokan stay at Gyokutei with both Japanese-style dinner and breakfast served in our room. The food was absolutely incredible - meticulously and beautifully prepared and served. The room is older, but charming! The view of the courtyard gardens was stunning, the in-room hot springs bath was perfect, the futon bedding and pillows so comfortable and the communal bath and view was lovely. Most of all, our room attendant Kyoko was absolutely wonderful. So attentive and sweet, explained the meals and best way to eat them, how to most enjoy the ryokan, etc. it was a magical stay. Don’t hesitate! Enjoy what Gyokutei has to offer. It’s so special - from the hosts receiving us upon arrival, to walking us to our cab as we left - truly memorable!!!

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Staying at this ryokan was such a unique experience! From the moment we were received and welcomed to the moment we left, it was magical. This place is beautiful, the food is a true culinary experience, and the service and attention were exceptional. The hot spring and communal baths were also quite an experience. Highly recommend this amazing and beautiful place!

Stayed in June 2024

One of the most memorable stays we have had on any trip. The room is spacious, the food is excellently prepared, and the staff hospitality is amazing. Because it is a small inn, the onsens were never busy when we used them. It was definitely a splurge for us and more than we spend for a typical stay but this is an experience not just a hotel stay.

Stayed in June 2024

None

Small but cozy and clean

Stayed in June 2024

No complaints about anything

This was our first ryokan experience and we really enjoyed our stay. It is conveniently located near the Hakone Yumoto station so easy to get to after arrival and to depart from to get to the starting point for our Hakone counter loop trip. I don't know if we were the only guests during our stay, but it felt like our own private experience as we were able to enjoy the onsen all to ourselves before the most delicious meal. The chambermaid took excellent care of us bringing out course after course of beautiful and tasty food. The bedding was super comfortable and I had the best sleep ever.

Stayed in June 2024

Everything was perfect.

Gyokutei provides you with the best Japan can offer: excellent, as well as exquisite looking meals. a perfect setting and an excellent service.

Stayed in May 2024

Very nice and spacious ryokan. Also got private onsen inside your room. Staff super friendly and accommodating, they made sure we felt like home. It comes with dinner and breakfast and the food was top notch, all so fresh! Area is on a hill and Google maps might tell you to turn right when you go up the hill but just keep going straight and you’ll see the ryokan right away. Area super quiet and peaceful. Highly recommend

Stayed in May 2024

I cannot really think of anything that I did not like.

This was a great opportunity to experience “traditional” Japanese living amenities, foods, and living. The staff was extremely accommodating and made us feel completely at home. The building dates back many years but is immaculately maintained, the garden is beautiful - falling asleep to the sound of the water and rain was so relaxing. We stayed 2 nights so we had 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts - cooked by their chef on site and served by our room attendant course by course. She explained what everything was and the food was delicious.

Stayed in April 2024

The whole experience that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the Japanese culture, the very kind hostesses, the view on the zen garden, our private bath, the delicious food... well, everything! We had a lovely time, arigato gozaimasu!

Stayed in May 2024

Authentic Japanese onsen experience and we are well taken care by the team

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing. But maybe it can be hard for some people to go uphill to achieve the place.

This is a very traditional place. In our room it was enough space for 4 adults: 2 bedrooms with tatami, one reception room, one toilet with small private onsen and small kitchen. They also have two public onsens (but only for the hotel quests), they change female and male onsen every day. We had breakfasts and dinners included. It was a lot of traditional Japanese food, we were full all days 😄 Very beautiful garden with trees and koi carps. It was an amazing experience. Staff were extremely nice and polite. Recommend!

Stayed in April 2024

The property is a bit older so there were some musty smells here and there, but nothing awful

The staff, level of service that they provide, and the food are really what made this property special. Even though they didn’t speak a lot of English, they made us feel extremely comfortable and welcomed. We loved having some space as we kicked back after a days of running around and sightseeing in other cities. The sitting room with view of the garden was amazing. The in-room onsen tub was also a highlight. Even though the hotel onsen was lovely, it was so nice to have our own space to use, with the deep wooden tub. I would definitely recommend staying here if you want to experience a more traditional Japan. However if you don’t want to eat traditional Japanese food, I would choose a different property as I don’t think they would be able to accommodate many changes to their menu.

Stayed in April 2024

Our stay at this typical Japanese Ryokan was enchanting. The warm welcome of the staff embodied the essence of Japanese hospitality. Our tatami rooms were serene with minimalist decor. The highlight was the exquisite kaiseki cuisine, bursting with seasonal flavors. The therapeutic mineral water of the onsen leave us feeling refreshed and revitalized. The attentive staff ensured an unforgettable Japanase stay.

Stayed in April 2024

More English speaking or even understanding staff would have been good. The TV system should have been upgraded to include more English channels especially Netflix

It was a traditionalRyokan. The food was excellent . The garden was beautiful. The space was ample. I liked that meals were served in the room

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing to report

Great location to walk and explore the city, modern facility, liked the space in room for the kids to roam, liked the smart TV, enjoyed the small sauna, helpful staff

Stayed in April 2024

Our stay was exactly what we wanted and gave us a good taste of traditional Japanese culture. The staff were very friendly and the accommodation/gardens were stunning.

Stayed in March 2024

Very kind and sweet people who worked there. Loved the view to the garden from the room. Very serene place. Fun experience to try a Kaseki meal and a typical Japanese breakfast on our first day in Japan!

Stayed in March 2024

Perfect ryokan experience. Small pond with gorgeous carps. Nice territory. Good onsens for women and men. Delicious food with abundance of fish and seafood products. A bit pricy but totally worth visiting. All the best to our welcoming hostess Tomico! She was very charming and caring!

Stayed in March 2024

The property is a bit old but well maintained.

The hotel is within walking distance of Hakone-Yumoto station.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing

The service was top notch. All 3 of us enjoyed the great dinner and breakfast served in our room. The rooms are very spacious. As a small ryokan, the couple of times that I used the public onsen there was no one so enjoyed that much more than the in room one. It is a 10 minutes walk from the train station but if you have luggage you would want a taxi as it is on a bit of a hill

Stayed in March 2024

Can’t get taxi.

Peaceful and relaxing. Breakfast and dinner setting were lovely and food really delicious .

Stayed in March 2024

We liked everything about this Riokin. It’s a little bit hard to find. It’s a scenic 10 minute walk from the station. When you walk over the 2nd bridge over the river, stay on that rd as you walk up the hill and the entrance will be on your right.

Property is gorgeous and staff are lovely. The gardens and the onsen are magical.

Stayed in March 2024

The property was a little tricky to find initially, up quite a steep hill and not easy with luggage. However, when we left they did offer to order a taxi for us. Not a negative but just to be aware if you have any mobility issues before booking.

The most unique experience and a must do when travelling through Japan. This ryokan was lovely, the staff were amazing and so friendly and helpful. The onsen was a lovely experience and dinner and breakfast were very traditional and beautifully served.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing! Honestly!

So welcoming and helpful! Food was excellent and a relaxing experience All facilities amazing! Had a private onsen in the room and access to the shared (male /female) facilities open from 5-24hrs! Had our 2 year old and 5 month old with us. They got toys and ryoken wear which was so great. Also had a nappy bin! Super comfortable and lots of space Gorgeous gardens to walk around. I had forgotten our adaptors and they let us borrow mobile phone chargers which was a life saver ( we had a long trip the next day). Just loved it! Want to go back (without kids! Ha) and highly recommend.

Stayed in March 2024