I Looked Into Kappa Tengoku

Even though I love looking at camping gear, I always end up derailing myself with "let's do a hotel-cation today" instead. So I've been keeping up this series where I look into day-trip hot springs and inns for my own sake.

This time I looked into Kappa Tengoku in Hakone-Yumoto. Even though it's located right near Hakone-Yumoto Station, I came across information saying there are apparently 84 steps up to the front desk, and as an indoor type, that quietly caught my attention.

A Curious Location: Close to the Station Yet With a Great View

Kappa Tengoku is a day-trip hot spring facility located in Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. It's apparently open year-round, from 10:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 21:00 on weekends and holidays. Bathing fees are 900 yen for adults and 400 yen for children (ages 2 through elementary school), and it looks like you can buy a face towel for 200 yen or rent a bath towel for 300 yen.

It's apparently built on a hill right behind Hakone-Yumoto Station, and the official website mentions that there are 84 steps to climb before reaching the front desk. If you're bringing a large suitcase for a day trip, it seems like a good idea to leave it in a coin locker at the station first. If you're an indoor type like me without much confidence in your stamina, going with light luggage might put your mind at ease.

The facility also seems to offer overnight stays. For a room-only plan with two or more guests, the rate is apparently 6,750 yen or more per person (tax and bathing tax included, with breakfast available separately for 1,100 yen). There are also rooms with private open-air baths called Kinji and Soun, each featuring a cypress open-air bath with a view overlooking the streets of Hakone-Yumoto—it seems like a nice option for special occasions like anniversaries. Reservations can apparently also be made by phone.

Komorin

84 steps... I feel like I'd be out of breath just from that. I'm pretty sure my luggage is definitely going straight into a coin locker.

Checking Out the Facilities That Caught My Indoor-Type Eye

• Open-air bath: The water apparently comes from two of the facility's own hot spring sources, provided as unheated, undiluted natural spring water flowing straight from the source. Shampoo, body soap, and hair dryers all seem to be provided as well.
• Foot bath: Located on a hill overlooking Hakone-Yumoto Station, it apparently lets you watch the Hakone Tozan Railway trains passing by along with the surrounding townscape. It's said to cost 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.
• Private bath: There's also a private bath suited for families, available for 1,000 yen per 45 minutes (bathing fee required separately), and it seems you can use it on a same-day basis if it's available.
• Dining area / lounge: They apparently serve soft drinks, light meals, and even alcohol. The menu is said to include items like hot spring egg somen for 800 yen and zaru soba for 750 yen (bringing in outside food and drinks doesn't seem to be allowed).
• Original goods: They also apparently sell items like T-shirts, tote bags, and can badges, and there seems to be a small shop that's tempting to stop by after a bath.

On the other hand, I couldn't find any clear information on the official website about a sauna, Wi-Fi, whether pets are allowed, wheelchair accessibility, or parking. Given the structure of the building—with all those steps up to the front desk—wheelchair access might be difficult, but it seems best to check directly with the facility for accurate details.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

When I checked this facility's location using Rakuten's official "my Area Communication Simulation" tool, the overall rating came back as "C."

Since it came back as a C, there might be moments where the connection isn't very stable while you're relaxing inside the facility or at the foot bath. If you're planning to watch videos or send larger files, it seems like a good idea to keep this rating in mind and prepare accordingly beforehand.

Komorin

A C rating is a bit concerning, but being upfront about things is this blog's policy, so I'm just going to write it as it is.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, my impression of Kappa Tengoku is that it's a day-trip hot spring you can enjoy for its view—located on a hill just a short walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station, with a foot bath and open-air bath where you can watch the townscape and the mountain railway trains go by. Given the distinctive access route with those 84 steps, it seems like a good idea to visit with a bit of stamina to spare.

As for Rakuten Mobile's signal conditions, based on what I checked this time, the result came back as a C rating. If that's a concern for you, checking in advance with Rakuten Mobile's official tool should give you some peace of mind.

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Related Links

• Official Site