I Looked Into Sanso Nakamura

Looking into not just campsites but also day-use hot springs and lodging facilities has become the usual flow for this blog. As part of that flow again this time, I looked into one inn in Hakone.

I picked Sanso Nakamura because I came across information suggesting it has an indoor bath where you can enjoy views of a bamboo grove. Since I'm more of an indoor type, I figured a hot spring would suit me better than a campfire, and that's what got me curious about this place. I was also curious about the Sengokuhara area itself, so I took a close look, mainly at the official website.

What Kind of Place Is Sanso Nakamura?

Sanso Nakamura is apparently a hot spring inn located in the Sengokuhara area of Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. It's a fairly small-scale property with 15 rooms in total (capacity of 70 guests), and it seems most of the rooms are Japanese-style. Western-style twin rooms also seem to be available, but since there's a note saying they're limited in number, it looks like it would be a good idea for anyone interested to book early.

Meals seem to center around seasonal Japanese-style set courses. The plan list on the official website includes names like a seasonal Japanese course featuring fresh ingredients of the moment, and there's a lineup you can choose from depending on your purpose, such as a plan that comes with a whole cake for anniversaries, or a weekday-only plan that allows stays of up to 24 hours. That said, there's a note saying individual meal requests (like allergy accommodations or ingredient substitutions) can't be handled, so it might be reassuring to confirm in advance if that's a concern.

The hot spring goes by the name Sengokuhara Onsen, and it's apparently 100% natural spring water, continuously flowing, with a milky-white cloudy color. The large bath called Genji-no-Yu is designed with big windows that let you look out at the bamboo grove in the garden, and it's described as offering an open feel similar to an outdoor bath even though it's actually indoors. There's also a smaller bath called Kiritsubo-no-Yu, and it looks like the two baths are operated on an alternating schedule between men and women. Day-use bathing also seems to be accepted, and I found a note about a time-based rate of 1,000 yen per hour.

Komorin

An indoor bath with a view of a bamboo grove is a combination that really appeals to me, even as an indoor type. Even without being an outdoor bath, this seems like it would be plenty relaxing.

Room and Facility Details That Caught My Attention

The rooms seem to come with a standard set of typical inn amenities, including air conditioning, a TV, an electric kettle, a hair dryer, yukata robes, and free Wi-Fi. There was also mention of down comforters, which gives the impression that the bedding would be comfortable even during colder months. There's a note that all rooms are non-smoking too, which sounds like it would make for a relaxing stay, even for an indoor type like me.

• In-house facilities: lobby/front desk, a rest area for relaxing after bathing, a banquet hall (large hall), a dining area, and vending machines
• Paid facilities: massage chairs, and arrangements for out-call massage services
• Items available to borrow: shogi and mahjong sets
• Parking: free (outdoor). The number of spaces varied depending on the page, so anyone planning to use it might want to confirm in advance
• Bathing tax: there was a note mentioning 150 yen
• Accepted payment methods: it looks like major credit cards such as JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, and Diners are accepted

As for lodging rates and the exact check-in/check-out times, I couldn't find specific details in the text of the plan pages on the official website. It seems reservations can be made by phone, and it also seems possible to check details through booking sites like Jalan.net, so it looks like the safest bet for pricing would be to check there.

Komorin

It was a bit of a shame that the pricing wasn't clearly stated, but on the flip side, I got the impression that the plans themselves were put together quite thoughtfully.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

Using the official My Area Connectivity Simulation tool to check the location of this facility (Sengokuhara, Hakone), the overall rating came back as a C.

Perhaps because of the mountainous location in Hakone, it seems like signal conditions could vary depending on the exact spot. If you're planning to do online work or watch videos during your stay, it might be worth keeping this result in mind as a rough guide. Since I use Rakuten Mobile myself, I'm noting this down as-is for my own reference.

Komorin

Seeing the C rating made me think that fully enjoying the hot spring while staying disconnected might actually be a nice way to spend the time there.

I Looked Into Nearby Attractions

According to the nearby attractions page on the official website, there seem to be a number of points of interest within about a 3 to 10-minute drive. In addition to museums like the Hakone Glass Forest Museum and the Pola Museum of Art, the page also mentions Hakone Shisseikaen Marsh Garden, Lake Ashi, and Otome Pass, which is said to offer views of Mount Fuji. The pampas grass field is apparently listed among Kanagawa's 50 Scenic Spots, and it seems like it could be a nice spot for a walk depending on the season.

I couldn't find any particular mention of dining spots in the text of the official website, so it seems like a good idea to look into nearby places to eat separately.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, my impression of Sanso Nakamura is that it's a Hakone inn where you can soak in the cloudy waters of Sengokuhara Onsen while looking out at a bamboo grove. While the room amenities and meal details are explained thoroughly, there were still some things, like lodging rates and room sizes, that I couldn't fully confirm from the official website alone.

As for the Rakuten Mobile signal conditions, the result came back as a C rating, so anyone who prioritizes connectivity might find it easier to plan ahead by checking in advance. If you're curious, feel free to check it yourself using Rakuten Mobile's official tool.

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Related Links

• Official Site