①Convenient Location - The bus stops to travel around Hakone are very close to the hostel at just 1-3mins walk. I could access all major spots in 30-45mins. - There's a conbini, supermarket and great local restaurants nearby at <5-10mins walk. ②Neat rooms and excellent bar - The double room was quite spacious. It was private and silent while I stayed. - Although the shower/washroom is shared, it was always very clean & hygienic. - My highlight was the in-house bar. The bartender and owner were great company, provided excellent service and the finest cocktails. They have an excellent selection and taste in whisky and gin, probably the best in Hakone. ③The owner and his team is very friendly and kind - Their guidance & support about local spots is excellent and definitely made my trip very fulfilling! - The check-in, check-out and other services were very smooth and quick! totally hassle-free.

I recently stayed at this charming hostal, and my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I checked in, the staff's warmth and attentiveness set the tone for my stay. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and maintained with great care, reflecting a keen eye for detail. The service here is what truly stands out. The hostal staff went above and beyond to ensure my needs were met; they provided insightful local tips, arranged transport at short notice, and were always available with a friendly smile. Their knowledge about the area transformed my trip from good to memorable. If you're looking for a place that combines excellent service with genuine hospitality, this hostal is a must-visit. Highly recommended for anyone traveling through the region.

I liked everything

The host is amazing, helpful , and feels like home. The view from the room is incredible. The room is so clear everything is perfect here. Also, the owner had a bar next door. Good beer 🍺 (my boyfriend loves this place so much, also me)

Narrow, but the futon was nice and comfortable. Has space above to store big stuff like luggage. The walls don't connect to the ceiling so you can hear every noise people make which is fine as everyone keeps quiet. Except some guests are loud snorers and you can hear that clear as day, so keep in mind if you're a light sleeper. I can sleep through anything so it was fine, and kinda funny. The bathrooms and showers were kept clean, and it was really nice that there was a washer and dryer to wash your clothes. They provided extra amenities that you pay a couple yen to use, such as towels, combs, toothbrushes etc. which is nice as well. Nice location with a bus stop, restaurants and 7/11 nearby.

I loved the staff, we had such a good time with the generous owner, he also helped us so much with various things and all the other people working there were always very kind to us (even though my Japanese is not very good we managed to communicate). The bar is so nice too and only a short walk from the dorm. I found the futon to be comfy and the bedding was warm enough even on cold days. Also the people I met here and I got along so well and we spent a lot of time together. I would definitely (and probably will) come here again.

If other guest are talking or snoring you will definitely hear them - just bring some earplugs and you will be fine. :) The kitchen has a fridge, a microwave and a kettle but no cutlery or bowls so bring your own!

Very clean, spacious and comfortable japanese style room. Kettle, refrigerator, closet, mirror, safe, AC, huge window. the staff was exceptional friendly and helpful and showed us all amenities, explained the surrounding area. they also provide a google map with restaurants and activities, what we very appreciated. the bar and the whiskey collection speaks for itself and amazing. bathrooms and toilets are all clean, modern and well equipped. we always would come back and would recommend the place to friends and family. good job!

Because of the ryokan design, the Room is pretty spacious compared with other hotel rooms in Japan. It has also a a/c system which can warm up the Room very fast, because the Isolation is Not so good. The host was very nice and explained everything. Even without good english skills, communication was no problem. The staff was very kind and relaxed. The hotel bar is worth a visit, very good prices and one of the best Whisky collections i ever saw!

Compared with other Hotels it was not so perfectly clean, but it was clean enough, a few hairs on my bedsheets don’t bother me too much. The walls were very thin so you hear all the noises from the other guests. Utilities like towels are not free in the room, you have to „rent“ them for a small fee.

Slightly off the beaten path, would be ideal for backpackers instead of families. Surrounded by great looking restaurants though most had unfortunate working hours that we missed for a one night stay. The room is cozy and more spacious than most budget hotels. Staff is friendly and was there to greet us for the check in, while check out was hassle free. Features a cool looking bar that we unfortunately was too tired for. View during the evening and sunrise was stunning

Towels are for rental only, and bathrooms are all shared. Not a con but something to note. Slightly far from the main tourist area so bus rides are needed, though two stations are in walking distance.

Location was easy to find from the bus we took from the train station. The hostel was exactly what we wanted, and the staff were incredibly friendly and easy to get a long with. They directed us to the nearest Onsen that would be open late, and lent us some bicycles so we could cycle there through the peaceful town. The on-site bar was one of the nicest i've been in and the cocktails were excellent, we had to try every option available. The owner and bar staff were great fun and we had a great evening with their hospitality. We wish we could have stayed another night! Good transport connections to the local attractions, and the owner made some excellent suggestions on where we should visit. Could not recommend the place more. A highlight of our trip for sure and we wish everyone at Root Hakone the best.

No complaints at all, we had a great time :)

Staff were fantastic and so accommodating giving us great recommendations and offering to drive us places. Yoske at the bar was wonderful. Rooms are spacious with a nice view and property is in good location near a great hike. Easy access to town and bus stop. The bar is a nice touch and you should check it out while you’re there.

The futons are not very comfortable. This our only criticism. All in all a fantastic stay.