I Looked Into Manjuya Ryokan at Hakone Sengokuhara Onsen

In addition to campgrounds, on my Komorin Imaginary Travels I sometimes look into inns that could work for those days when I think, "let's skip camping and do a hocance instead." I've been gradually adding records of hot spring inns known for their baths, as options for a little side trip during a hocance.

This time, I looked into Manjuya Ryokan, located in Sengokuhara, Hakone. I was drawn in by its cloudy natural hot spring, said to be fed 100% by Owakudani source water on a flow-through basis, so I decided to read through the official website.

An Inn Proud of Its Cloudy Owakudani Hot Spring

Manjuya Ryokan is apparently a hot spring inn with all-Japanese-style rooms, located in Sengokuhara, Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture. What stands out most is the hot spring itself — the cloudy water fed 100% by Owakudani source water on a flow-through basis seems to be its defining feature. The water quality is described as an acidic calcium-magnesium sulfate-chloride spring (formerly classified as an acidic calcium chloride gypsum spring), and it seems you can even see the characteristic "yunohana" (hot spring flower) deposits typical of a real hot spring.

The bathing facilities consist of one indoor bath each for men and women, so it doesn't seem to be the type of inn where rooms come with their own private hot spring. That said, guests can apparently bathe anytime, 24 hours a day, which sounds nice for anyone who wants to soak leisurely late at night or early in the morning. Day-trip bathing is also accepted between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM, and the site mentions that private bath rental is available for families and couples. However, I couldn't find specific booking methods or pricing for the private bath in the official website's text, so if you're curious, it's probably best to check by phone.

All-Japanese-Style Rooms, With Kotatsu Available

All the guest rooms are Japanese-style, and they can apparently accommodate anywhere from one to three guests. In winter, it seems a kotatsu can sometimes be set up, which gives the impression that this would suit anyone who wants to relax in a Japanese atmosphere. I couldn't find the total number of rooms or their size in tatami mats clearly stated in the official website's text, so I wasn't able to confirm exact figures in this research.

Breakfast is apparently based on a one-soup-three-dish format, expanding to around one soup and six dishes with grilled split mackerel as the main item. There was no mention in the official website's text of whether dinner is offered or whether meals can be served in the room, so this is something I wasn't able to confirm in this research. It might be reassuring to check at the time of booking.

As for amenities, there's a free Wi-Fi banner on the booking page, so it seems likely to be available, though I couldn't find details on whether it covers every room. As for room rates, the official site's booking page leads to an external availability-search system, and I couldn't find a specific price table in the text itself. Payment is apparently cash-only on-site, with no credit cards accepted, so it's probably worth preparing for that in advance.

Komorin

Being able to soak in the cloudy hot spring any time, 24 hours a day, sounds really appealing to me as an indoor type. Staying cooped up in the room and hopping into the hot spring whenever the mood strikes might just be the ideal way to spend time.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

When I checked the location of Manjuya Ryokan using the official "My Area Network Simulation" tool, the overall rating came back as a "C." If you're planning to use mobile data during your stay, it's probably worth checking this as well.

Since the area around the inn is in a mountainous part of Hakone, signal conditions may vary quite a bit depending on exact location. If you're planning to handle work online during your stay, it might be reassuring to check with the official tool in advance.

Komorin

Hearing "C rating" makes me brace myself a little, but since the whole point of a hocance is to relax in the hot spring, I think it might be fine to just accept the connectivity as it is and enjoy the stay.

A Good Match for Sightseeing Around Hakone

On the official site's sightseeing page, classic spots like the Hakone Glass Forest Museum, Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, and Gora Park were introduced. The Sengokuhara silver grass field is said to be about a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive away, so if the season is right, it might be close enough to stop by on a stroll.

For golf enthusiasts, the site also mentioned the Fujiya Hotel golf course (about a 6-minute drive) and the Hakone Lakeside Golf Course (about a 10-minute drive), which seemed like something you could enjoy alongside your stay. Reservations can apparently be made by phone as well, so if you already know your stay dates, it's probably a good idea to get in touch early.

Wrapping Up

To sum it all up again, Manjuya Ryokan is an inn where the most memorable feature is being able to soak in the cloudy natural hot spring, fed 100% by Owakudani source water on a flow-through basis, anytime during your stay. With all-Japanese-style rooms and the option of a kotatsu in winter, it feels like a good fit for anyone who wants to relax in a Japanese atmosphere.

On the other hand, there are a few things I couldn't determine from the official website's text alone, like the details of room rates, whether dinner is served, and parking information, so it seems reassuring to confirm these when making a reservation. Rakuten Mobile signal conditions came back as a C rating, so if you're planning to use mobile data, it's probably worth checking with the official tool beforehand.

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Related Links

• Official Site