Just came back from the ryokan trip. It is much better than what I expect with the low price of only 9900yen/pax (booked from Odakyu web). This is my first time experiencing ryokan but it was much more comfortable and enjoyable than I foresee with such a steal.

Transport takes a little effort from Hakone-Yumoto station and a 100yen coin to board whenever to or from the ryokan. The trip to hotel only takes less than 5 minutes and rest assured that you won't be lost as the bus driver will name out every station it's going to stop. Okada ryokan is easy to identify and the driver is friendly and helpful. =)

We were welcomed by the ryokan staff. However, there will be a slight little problem with non-Japanese speaking visitors as the staff only speak and understand very basic English. The pro is that the staff still try their best to express themselves and make you comfortable throughout the stay. (I speak basic Japanese though)

Proceeding to our room, it was much larger than we expect in fact quite spacious (can run around the room bare footed on the smooth tatami). Our room is facing half facing the scenaries but it doesn't really bother us. The room is naturally fragrant with tatami smell and extremely comfortable and clean that we just lay down on the tatami itself. TV, water heater and fridge are available too.

Dinner was great! Everything is nicely prepared and exactly presented like a typical kaiseki (ryokan dinner). Sashimi may be a little disappointment (only 1 small dish) as it wasn't fresh and kinda bloody. Personally I only eat raw salmon and ika and quite critical about seafood freshness. It should be alright if you like raw tuna. The rest of the food is more than enough to eat and very delicious. An experience and taste that you can never experience anywhere else except Japan.

The smell in Hakone is unique and the weather is cool. A pair of complementary onsen tickets (Yu no Sato) were given to us as we booked the ryokan and I would really recommend to all! There are many onsen with the open air to the scenery views. Inside the onsen, branded moisturiser and other facial products are generously provided for your own needs. The onsen are very clean.

Foot and body massages are available for free usage in the ryokan. By machine.

Breakfast was okay and normal. There are no restaurant near the ryokan and the hotel cafe is closed on Thursday.

For Romance car+Hakone pass, I would recommend anyone to buy at Shinjuku station in case you miss the train you're going to board (if you are going your first day). Price is the same as you book from Odakyu as they are of the same company. Romance car can save up to 30min or more during travelling. There are plenty of space available so please don't worry about no seats.

Overall the stay is very comfortable! I would highly recommend this to cheaper valuable and traditional ryokan-wanna-experiencer!

This is the first time we are staying in a ryokan. Many new experiences to look forward to like kaiseki dinner, onsen, sleeping on the floor. Paid 56000 Yen for a package from Odakyu that includes RomanceCar tickets and Hakone freepasses.

Access -- Take comfortable RomanceCar train from Shinjuku station. Ride from Tokyo about 1.5 - 2 hours. Once reached Hakone Yumoto station, you can either deposit your luggage at the station or have it delivered to the hotel for a fee. From the station, take a shuttle from opposite the station. Pay 100 yen per adult for a short 5 minutes ride. I think this one is better than to take the publick Hakone bus which is free with the Hakone free pass.

Room -- Was a bit disappointed because it looked old and color a bit faded. Furniture is also a bit old looking. TV is small and no English channels. Sleeping on futon was an experience. Was expecting to feel aches in the morning but didn't. Perhaps slept very well after the onsen treat hte night before. Toilet is small but useable. Room isn't very big but enough for 4 persons to walk around.

Meals -- Breakfast is buffet style in restaurant. Nothing to shout about. Typical fare. Dinner is Kaiseki style served in room. The lady server is very helpful and explain things in her limited English. Many dishes served. Was looking forward to the fresh sashimi but ended up rather disappointed. Fish was big chunk and very tough to chew. Felt too raw even with the wasabi and soy sauce. Other dishses depend on your taste. I finished only about half the dishes I think.

Onsen -- This is first time dipping naked in public pool. Embarrassing at first but the enjoyment of the warm water more than made up for it. Great to relax. There is a foot bath one to start with. Inside hotel, there is a big indoor bath. Nothing special there. Take a short 3-5 minute stroll to the hot bath themepark next door. More enjoyable there to try the different styles outdoor. Cold but very enjoyable and relaxing. A good night sleep will surely follow.

Overall, a good place to try Ryokan for first timers. But don't expect too much especially the room and food.

There are several kinds of spa and they are pretty neat. Bathing in the moonlight is incredible and it’s quite an experience when you’re lucky to watch the snow fall being in the open-air hot spring.
On the other hand, if you expect a delicious Japanese dinner there, the chances are good that you’d be dissapointed. The deep fried veggies and sashimi are dried as if the dishes were left uncovered for a while and the unidentified appetizers are just gross. This hotel is comparatively inexpensive but some would find it’s not worth the price.

I paid 34f ,000yen for 2 persons with 2 meals in Nov2010. The dinner was delivered to our spacious SAKURA themed room. The onsen in the annex is not excellent but ok enough. Every staff greeted us whenever we passed by. There are mostly good things about this hotel but only downside is location. 10mins bus from Hakone-Yumoto station.