If you are looking for an easy Hakone getaway from Tokyo by Romancecar,
this is a ryokan worth considering.
It is especially suitable for adult mother-and-daughter trips,
multigenerational family trips,
and international travelers looking for a relaxing Japanese onsen experience.
This time, we stayed at Aura Tachibana,
a hot spring ryokan in Hakone.
Hakone was busy with both Japanese and international visitors during our August trip.
In this review,
we will share our experience traveling from Shinjuku by Romancecar,
as well as the guest room,
private open-air bath,
dinner,
breakfast,
and public onsen.
Hakone is also a popular destination for mother-and-daughter trips
and multigenerational family travel.
We saw many families traveling together during our stay.
If you are planning a relaxing Hakone trip,
we hope this review helps you choose where to stay.
✅ Check Aura Tachibana Rates on Ikyu
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✅ Check Aura Tachibana Rates on Jalan
Tokyo to Hakone in About 75 Minutes by Romancecar
We traveled from Shinjuku to Hakone by Romancecar.
Even during the busy August travel season,
we were able to purchase reserved seats online the day before our trip,
which was very convenient.
We purchased our tickets here:
Odakyu Romancecar Online Booking
You can book without creating an account.
The seats were comfortable,
and power outlets made it easy to charge a phone or laptop during the journey.
However,
when we sat in Seat D by the window,
the afternoon sunlight was quite strong.
Even with the curtain closed,
some light still came through.
For an afternoon departure from Shinjuku,
we personally preferred the A and B side,
which had less direct sunlight during our trip
and still offered nice views.
The journey from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto takes about 75 minutes.
Timuny: A Riverside Cafe Near Hakone-Yumoto Station
After arriving,
we stopped for a short break at a cafe beside the Hayakawa River,
just a few minutes from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
The cafe is called Timuny.
It has a relaxed,
home-like atmosphere.
I ordered an iced coffee.
There were two coffee styles to choose from,
including a more bitter option
and a more acidic one.
The menu also had plenty of drinks besides coffee.
At the smoking-area seating,
you can enjoy your drink while looking out over the river.
There are also seats near the entrance on the first floor,
where guests may be able to relax with a pet.
Free Shuttle to Aura Tachibana
After our cafe break,
we took the hotel's complimentary shuttle bus to Aura Tachibana.
It was convenient to reach the ryokan
without needing a taxi.
What Is Aura Tachibana Like?
Aura Tachibana is a hot spring ryokan
located on a hillside in Hakone,
surrounded by green mountain scenery.
One of its biggest attractions
is the private open-air bath in the guest room,
which lets you enjoy an onsen without leaving your room.
The property also has a large public bath on the fourth floor,
a dining area on the fifth floor,
a rooftop bar,
and a souvenir shop.
You can spend your time relaxing in your room
or exploring the facilities around the ryokan.
Guest Room with Beautiful Mountain Views
We stayed in a Western-style guest room.
From the sofa,
we could look out over the green mountains,
which created a very peaceful atmosphere.
The refrigerator contained two complimentary bottles of water.
There was also chilled water with ice
and additional water in a pot.
A small chestnut yokan sweet was provided with tea.
The room had two relatively low twin beds.
This was the vanity area.
There was no chair directly in front of the sink,
so it was not possible to sit there while doing makeup or drying hair.
However,
a folding mirror was provided,
so I could use it while sitting on the sofa.
In addition to women's skincare amenities,
there were also men's skincare products,
which was a nice surprise.
Private Open-Air Bath with Mountain Views
The private open-air bath in our room
was one of the highlights of the stay.
The water temperature felt comfortable
and was not too hot,
so we could relax for a long time.
It felt especially soothing after spending so much time
working on smartphones and computers.
Looking out over the lush green mountains
while soaking in the bath
was wonderfully relaxing.
✅ Check Aura Tachibana Rates on Ikyu
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✅ Check Aura Tachibana Rates on Jalan
Dinner Review: A Generous 12-Course Japanese Meal
Dinner was served in the fifth-floor dining room.
The meal was very generous in size.
There were many international guests staying at the ryokan,
and the amount of food was much larger than we expected.
For older travelers in particular,
finishing every dish may feel like a lot.
We recommend enjoying the meal at your own pace
rather than feeling that you have to finish everything.
Even guests in their 30s or 40s may find it quite filling.
If you prefer smaller portions,
it may be worth asking the ryokan in advance
whether a lighter meal can be arranged.
Here are some of the dishes we enjoyed.
A Look at the 12-Course Dinner Menu
Our dinner at Aura Tachibana
included a total of 12 courses,
from seasonal appetizers to dessert.
- Seasonal appetizers: green asparagus and white fish terrine, ayu sushi and more
- Soup: corn tofu in clear broth
- Sashimi: seared bonito, tuna, sea bream and amberjack from the Sagami Bay area
- Steamed dish: steamed kamaboko, with a choice of seaweed or pine nut and walnut
- Grilled dishes: Kamifurano wagyu steak, grilled sea bass with basil oil and more
- Noodles: chilled two-color somen with white soy dipping sauce, shiitake, myoga ginger and sesame eggplant tofu
- Hot pot: burdock soup hot pot with sliced pork belly, burdock root, green onion and yuba konjac
- Simmered dish: tofu with shrimp sauce and simmered shiitake mushrooms
- Soup: red miso soup
- Rice: rice topped with mitsuba, nori, shrimp sauce, edamame and mountain vegetables
- Pickles: assorted Japanese pickles
- Dessert: watermelon, mizu manju, azuki ice cream and a morning-glory-style muffin
Here are a few of the dishes in more detail.
We started with the seasonal appetizer plate.
This was the clear soup with corn tofu.
The sashimi included seared bonito,
tuna,
sea bream,
and amberjack.
This was my first time trying steamed kamaboko,
and I really enjoyed it.
The walnuts gave it a pleasant texture.
The Kamifurano wagyu steak
was tender and rich.
The two-color somen noodles
were beautifully presented.
And there were four different desserts.
It was an impressive finish to the meal.
Everything we tried was delicious.
Public Onsen: Indoor and Outdoor Baths on the Fourth Floor
After dinner,
we visited the large public bath on the fourth floor.
The changing room had lockers for valuables,
as well as baskets for towels and clothing.
There were two indoor baths
and one outdoor bath.
By chance,
very few people were there when we visited,
so we were able to enjoy the outdoor bath
almost as if it were private.
The water temperature was also comfortable,
neither too hot nor too cool.
One thing to note:
the hair dryers were not especially powerful.
If you have long hair
and prefer a stronger dryer,
bringing your own may save some time.
There is also a rooftop bar
where guests can enjoy cocktails and other drinks,
although we did not visit it during this stay.
The hotel also has a souvenir corner
selling Hakone sweets and small gifts.
It is worth stopping by before checkout.
Breakfast Review: A Surprisingly Generous Japanese Breakfast
Breakfast the next morning
was also very generous.
I was already full after eating about half of it.
Just like dinner,
we recommend enjoying the meal at your own pace.
The green serving box
was actually a three-tiered jubako box.
This was the second tier.
The third tier contained simmered dishes.
In addition to the jubako,
we were served several more dishes.
There was also chawanmushi
served with a thick savory sauce.
We also had plenty of steamed vegetables.
Dessert was matcha daifuku.
It was quite a feast for breakfast.
We have stayed at many ryokan over the years,
and this was easily one of the most generous meals we have experienced.
Final Thoughts: A Relaxing Hakone Ryokan for Adult and Multigenerational Trips
Aura Tachibana in Hakone
offers much more than a private open-air bath.
We also enjoyed the public onsen,
the convenient shuttle service,
and the peaceful mountain setting.
The easy Romancecar access from Tokyo
also makes it a convenient choice for a relaxing getaway.
It can work especially well for
adult mother-and-daughter trips,
multigenerational family travel,
and older travelers who want to enjoy Hakone at a slower pace.
The meals are extremely generous,
so enjoy them comfortably
and at your own pace.
If you are deciding where to stay in Hakone,
Aura Tachibana is well worth considering.
✅ Check Aura Tachibana Rates on Ikyu
