A tranquil hot spring inn nestled in the rich natural surroundings of Hakone-GoraLaforet Hakone Gora Yunosu"This time, for our beloved dog Chocolat's 6th birthday trip, we chose the new building of the same inn,AyakanBut before that, let me introduce the main building.
What is "Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosu"?
A hotel located in a resort where you can feel the charm of Japan, such as the beauty of the changing seasons, hot springs that soothe the mind and body, and local cuisine.LAFORET HOTELS & RESORTSThe hotel, operated by [company name], is located on a hill in Gora and is a hot spring inn where you can relax while enjoying the changing seasons. The hotel consists of the main building, which was renovated and reopened in 2014, and the new building "Aya-kan," which opened in January of last year. Together, the two buildings have a total of 66 guest rooms, with 44 rooms in the main building featuring a stylish Japanese modern design, including premium rooms with private hot springs. On the first floor, there are four limited guest rooms where you can stay with your pet, making it a welcoming place for travelers with dogs.
Enjoying ourselves before check-in | Lunch and cafe hopping around Gora Station
Having arrived in Hakone in the morning, we left our car in the hotel's parking lot and headed out to the area around Gora Station, where we could enjoy craft beer.GORA BREWERY PUB STOP" and unique and stylish renovated cafesCOFFEE CAMPAfter enjoying lunch and coffee, take the hotel shuttle bus (free of charge) from the "Hotel Shuttle Bus Station" located at the north exit of Gora Station. (Reservations are possible between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, the check-in time.)
The "Hotel Shuttle Bus Station" is located at the north exit of Gora Station.
We boarded the hotel shuttle bus, guided by the driver.
You can bring your dog along as long as it's inside the dog cart.
Both Chocolat and I were able to get into the cool, air-conditioned car, and look at our smiles! (lol)
As we chatted amicably with the driver, we discovered he had a connection to Hamamatsu, where we live, and we felt a real sense of connection to this trip.
After passing through the green tunnel visible from the car window,
From Gora Station, it's a comfortable 5-10 minute ride to Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosu.
A warm welcome awaits you from the hotel staff.
Guests staying in the dog-friendly rooms in the main building can proceed to their rooms with their dogs via the corridor on the left.
The stairs lead to the four limited dog-friendly rooms, and dogs are not allowed in the hotel lobby or restaurant. The main building allows up to two small dogs (generally under 10kg) or one medium-sized dog (generally under 25kg). An additional charge of 3,300 yen per dog applies.
An entrance overflowing with the warmth of wood.
The floral arrangements also welcome you with vibrant, summery colors.
The charm of the main building | Experience the luxury of bare feet in the hearth living room
Upon entering the main building, the first thing that surprises you is the "shoes-off" style. You leave your shoes in the shoe lockers at the entrance, and spending time inside the building barefoot or in socks gives you a sense of relief, as if you've returned home.
In the "Irori Living Room" at the back of the lobby, you can freely enjoy welcome drinks and a selection of books. The soft wooden floor underfoot provides a comfortable respite from the fatigue of travel, allowing you to naturally find peace and relaxation.
As a welcome drink, we prepared chilled rooibos and Ashigara herbal teas, along with small sweets and candies.
Take home a taste of Hakone | Stylish souvenir shops
Adjacent to the irori (hearth) living room is the "Souvenir Shop," where you'll find unique Hakone items such as marquetry trinkets and accessories by Hakone-based artists, and eco-friendly cutlery made from thinned wood sourced from Izu and Hakone. It's a great place to find souvenirs of your trip or gifts for loved ones. (Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
A gathering of artisans such as marquetry and woodworkers, who write "Hand GodYou can also encounter works by "[artist name]".
The "hearth living room," enveloped in a sense of privacy, is the perfect place to spend some quiet time.
With your favorite book in hand,
While gazing at the well-maintained garden,
The mellow flavor of "Ashigara Tea" creates a relaxing atmosphere for your time.
The lobby is on the 2nd floor, and the large public bath is on the B1 floor.
The blessings of Owakudani hot springs | Large public bath and open-air bath with sulfate spring water
The main building features large indoor baths and open-air baths in both the men's and women's sections, filled with natural hot spring water sourced from Owakudani. As you soak in the water, you'll be greeted by the gentle scent of sulfur. The calcium-rich sulfate spring water has excellent skin-beautifying effects and is also beneficial for relieving coldness, joint pain, and neuralgia.
<Hot Spring Information>
Spring water type: Sulfate spring
Benefits: Relief from neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, burns, chronic digestive disorders, poor circulation, and skin beautification.
Opening hours:
Large public bath and open-air bath: 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM / 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Thursdays: 3:00 PM -)
Sauna: 12:00 - 23:00 (Thursdays: 15:00 -)
Next episode preview | Smart check-in and dog-friendly rooms at the new "Ayakan" building
For this stay, we stayed in the new "Aya-kan" building, which has a limited number of four rooms that allow pets. In the next article, I will introduce the smart check-in process, the room's amenities, and how we spent time with our dog, Chocolat!
Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosu
Address: 1320 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0408
TEL: 0460-82-2121 (main)
https://www.laforet.co.jp/gora/
