Hakone Shirayunoyado Yamadaya Ryokan

If you're looking for what a traditional antique ryokan is, look no further. This place is definitely old, but with that age comes character. If you want a more modern stay you're going to need to look elsewhere. What it lacks because of age it makes up for in the incredibly friendly staff and delicious food. The woman who attended us for our meals was super nice and set everything up beautifully. She did not speak much English but sincerely made an effort to communicate with us. We didn't know what we were eating, but honestly didn't need to. It was all so delicious! My husband and I also took advantage of a private onsen. The bathroom itself was relatively small but that bath was GLORIOUS! After waking roughly 10 miles every day for half a week prior, it was so refreshing to soak. The water was hot and milky in color and left our skin feeling so smooth. This ryokan is also 2 or so minutes from the ropeway and end line of the cable car. If you get a chance, I highly recommend getting there by the Tozan train then cable car as the views are beautiful. I recommend this ryokan if an older building isn't off-putting, as I really do think that the rest of the experience far outweighs the age of the building and the fact that things clearly need repair in areas.

Onsen

Limited staff that can speak English, don’t provide hot water at night, onsen changes time for women and men (can be confusing). Could not leave baggage after checkout

We loved everything! Yes the staff didn't speak much English and the facility was a little old and rustic but that's exactly the experience I was after. The included dinner and breakfast were amazing full of dishes that I would not normally order so I got to try new things. There was also plenty of food. This was my first time in an onsen and it was great. Yes, I had to google what the etiquette was and how to put on the traditional clothes properly but it was great to learn and experience traditional Japanese life. It is a unique old-style accommodation. It doesn't have a modern feel but does have some modern conveniences e.g. TV, mini-bar and private toilet with bidet. There were also welcome treats and tea waiting for us. My whole family was amazed at the elderly room servicer who set up our room, beds, food, slippers etc. I know it's not traditional to tip in Japan but she really deserves to be recognised for her hard work.

Staff could not speak English very well so there were a couple miscommunications both before and during the stay. It would have been better if the outside onsens were bigger. There is one that fits one person and another that fits two people. The inside onsens fit more people. There was no private bathroom for those who did not wish to/could not use an onsen (although I believe you can pay extra for a private onsen).

The hot spring and food

The room was a little dirty with webs on ceiling

The location is great, just around the corner from the Gora cable car station and transfer to the ropeway. The staff are all very friendly and helpful - I don't know much Japanese, but most of the staff understood some English and couldn't do enough to help us. But the view is the biggest reason to recommend this ryokan; looking out of our window over the mountains was amazing.

You will need to hire an onsen if you want private access, and some of the photos of the onsen on here are things I didn't see at the ryokan. That said, it's excellent value for money for the location and the level of service.

Yamadaya had amazing views of the mountains, with a great seating area in the room to view them. The breakfast and dinners were all beautiful, it was great to try different dishes we probably wouldn’t have experience if we hadn’t stayed here. The staff were all so friendly. It was in a beautiful location, easy to get to the lake and volcano which both had amazing views of mt Fuji

the service is good. they explain each dish in english. meals are value for the buck. last day, train was suspended due to heavy rain and they offer shuttle bus all the way to hakone yumoto.

the onsen could be better maintained. u can see algae and spider web though it should be frequently used as there is no shower in the room so this is the only place to bathe. no lift. stairs a bit steep.

It’s traditional rooms, dining rooms and food. Also having the onsen bath is a good one.

The room was a bit smelly. Would have been better to have some are freshener.

this is a 100% traditional stay, the baths were incredible and very well taken care off. the hotel is located 3 minutes from the station so getting around the mountain is very easy. super recommended if you want to live a full japanese experience!

No onsen in the rooms. Yes individual onsen in the onsen area. Diner and breakfast are delicious.

Nothing to do around the hotel because it is all the way up in the mountains