VoiD

Looking for Onsen/ryokan recommendations for 1 night/half day trip from Tokyo

Preferably open air, and private.
Will be traveling solo.
Would be great to have a view of Fuji mountain.

budget-wise something under/around $500 for all above.
Looking at either Dec 1st or Dec 2nd.

I am looking at Hakone or Five Lakes area.

MSPeconomist

Do you speak Japanese or are you a Japanese citizen or of Japanese descent? Some ryokans don't accept foreign guests, or those who don't speak Japanese well.

VoiD

not japanese, dont speak japanese.

jerry a. laska

Have a look at this continuing thread for some Tokyo ideas:
Tokyo Onsen
Also see:
3 days trip (or slightly more) in Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone
Hakone/Near Tokyo Onsen Ryokan Recommendations?
Traditional Onsen Ryokan in Tokyo
Onsen recommendations near Fuji

VoiD

Looked into all of them but did not see much actual recommendations, but gave me ideas to search for.

Thank you.

evergrn

If you want a room with private ensuite outdoor onsen and a view of mtfuji, then kawaguchiko has many (eg, Konanso). But the onsen water quality is subpar in kawaguchiko and Fuji lakes area in general imo.

in hakone, the Asian suite room at hakone green plaza has great private tub that looks out towards mtfuji. The onsen quality is great and prices reasonable. Drawback is that the place is more of a hotel and the food doesn’t blow you away although still tasty.

VoiD

Looks like booking a room is more challenging than I expected. I looked both Konanso and green plaza and they are both soldout. Other places seems to be holding rooms for 2+ people. It's only a month away, but would I have a better chance booking for 1 person closer to travel date?

AlwaysAisle

Not necessary, many ryokans still have two people minimum per room policy. Searching for staying at ryokan (ryokan for leisure travelers at tourist places, not business type in a city) for single traveler still can be challenging in Japan.

One option is to use Japanese travel agents which have offices in the U.S. JTB and H.I.S. are Japanese travel agency with offices in the U.S. Having them help you find a ryokan accepts single travelers can be easier than doing via web, especially if you are trying to make reservation on a web with English, not Japanese. I know some people insist on doing everything via web, but even today there are situations where things may be easier if you talk to live human for help.

Also, when staying at ryokans as a single traveler who does not speak Japanese. I do not know how familiar you are in Japan, but meals served at ryokan will likely nothing like what you saw at Japanese restaurants in the U.S. Japanese food is not sushi and tempura only, and there will be nobody at ryokan who can explain to you food being served.

RichardInSF

I understand the point you are making but I have done just what you describe and have had some truly amazing meals. I remember one in Aomori and another in the far northern part of Hokkaido in particular. It's worth the gamble!

evergrn

Using Rakuten travel and inputting 1 person and checking off private onsen room, you get many results for 1 Dec.

マースガーデンウッド御殿場
https://www.mars-gw.jp
Their annex deluxe room with private onsen and Mt.Fuji view 37,963y + tax (breakf included) ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT.
[annex deluxe room: https://www.mars-gw.jp/rooms/annex-delux.php ]

オーベルジュ　箱根フォンテーヌブロー仙石亭
https://www.fontenu-hakone.com
Their Double 107 room with private onsen 37,000y + tax (breakf & dinner included) ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT.

箱根強羅　白檀
www.byakudan.co.jp/
Their modern Japanese room with private onsen 52,750yen (breakf & dinner included)

Their many others.

VoiD

wow awesome. thank you!!

freecia

Weekdays are easier to book for solo stays if you can move it from Dec 1 or 2 to 3rd. It is also a bit less expensive.

You didn't ask but more on ryokan food

Ryokan webpages usually include pictures of their seasonal meals in case you have definite food preferences. Some will also show the dining room and I prefer table with chairs or leg holes (if they have various types of seating, I usually get assigned a table as most ryokan are aware that foreigners may have problems sitting on tatami). One can book some ryokans, usually on weekdays, without the dinner/breakfast if you want to experience the onsen overnight but don't choose to eat there or will arrive after dinner hours ( note arrival time in comments or form). Just be aware that most smaller ryokans do not have any other dining options and could be in remote areas. Bring a bento.

Yes, I've eaten plenty of delicious things in Japan which I can't quite name, so it is nice when I am told what it is so I can look for it again. I don't have many food allergies, though, and can eat most non-spicy Japanese foods.

Actually, I feel like 30%+ of my kaiseki style ryokan dinners over the last few years have had a server who can identify what the dishes are in English. Some have explained the reasons dishes are named the way they are (like various nabes) and regional food specialties. A ryokan or two translated the printed menu of dinner courses into English. Most will verbally tell me what it is in simple Japanese if they don't speak English. This isn't just in areas frequented by more foreigners like Hakone or Hokkaido, though those are great for first time onsen visits as they're familiar with handling foreign guests.

I usually book on Jalan/Rakuten Travel JP sites and most hotels will allow comments at the end of the booking. This is where I note that "the guest speaks English and can be contacted at <email>. No food allergies.". If I were traveling with someone with food allergies, I'd also add specific information here. Most smaller ryokan will read these comments in advance of your stay for arrival time, transportation needs, guest preferences, special meal add-ons, and food allergies. Some will assign someone on staff who speaks a bit of English or is game to serve the foreigner. I've also encountered a foreign guest specialist at Taenoyu and Miyakowasure (sister ryokan) in Akita, which isn't usually frequented by foreign tourists outside Nyuto Onsen. I haven't run into a case where foreigners/non-repeat or non-referred guests are not accepted, yet, but I'm usually looking for solo guest stays which means the ryokan is a little more "flexible"/business forward.

bocastephen

If you don't mind splitting the onsen from the hotel, I highly recommend the private onsen suites at Hakone Yuryo (http://www.hakoneyuryo.jp/english/hotsprings/), which I've visited a few times.

You didn't mention price - a nice, memorable Ryokan experience can easily top $800-1,000 per night.

Gora Kadan is a somewhat 'foreigner friendly' Ryokan option in Hakone with open air baths outside some of the rooms or suites, but can be pricey.

http://www.gorakadan.com/index_english.html?mode=pc