Hakone Hotel Kowakien (箱根ホテル小涌園), located at 1297 Ninohira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa, is opening its private outdoor pool on July 3, 2026 (Friday). Surrounded by the Hakone mountain range at an elevation of approximately 600 meters, the 23-meter pool offers a refreshing summer escape about 90 minutes from central Tokyo.
Alongside the main pool, a "Fountain Splash Pool" (噴水じゃぶじゃぶ池) gives young children a safe and fun place to play in the water.
During the season, a secret passageway alongside the pool allows guests to walk directly to the adjacent FamilyMart Hakone Kowakien store, where they can pick up drinks and food to enjoy poolside.
Pool Details
Location: Hakone Hotel Kowakien, 2nd Floor (Outdoor)
Period: July 3 (Friday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission:
- Hotel guests: Free
- Day visitors: Adults ¥2,300 / Elementary school students to age 3: ¥1,200 (tax included)
- Children 2 years old and under: Free
Notes:
- Inflatable rings up to 100 cm in diameter are permitted (rings over 100 cm, snorkels, fins, kickboards, water guns, rubber balls, and large floats such as dolphin or shark shapes are not allowed)
- Entry is not permitted for guests who are heavily intoxicated or who have infectious skin conditions
- Members of organized crime groups and affiliated individuals are refused entry
- Guests with tattoos must wear a rash guard
- Young children in early elementary school and below must be accompanied by a guardian
- Children not yet toilet trained must wear swim diapers under their swimwear
- Pool operations may be suspended due to low temperatures or inclement weather
Day-Trip Plan with Lunch Buffet (Advance Reservation Required)
While the private pool is generally exclusive to hotel guests, a day-trip plan is available for purchase on the hotel's official website during the season.
The plan includes:
- Use of the private pool
- Lunch buffet (90-minute seating)
- Admission to the adjacent day-use hot spring "箱根小涌園 元湯 森の湯" (Hakone Kowakien Motoyu Mori-no-yu)
Period: July 3 (Friday) to August 31 (Monday), 2026
Pricing:
- Adults (junior high school age and above): ¥6,300
- Elementary school students: ¥3,800
- Young children (age 3 and above): ¥2,000
(All prices tax included)
Important Notes:
- Reservations must be made in advance through the official website; no on-site sales are available
- On the day of use, present your reservation confirmation at the hotel front desk
- Please bring your own towels for the pool (rental and sales are not available)
- If pool operations are suspended due to weather, no refunds will be issued
- Swimwear is not permitted inside the restaurant for the lunch buffet
Lunch Buffet
The lunch buffet is served at "Fontainebleau" (フォンテンブロー), the first-floor restaurant at Hakone Hotel Kowakien, with approximately 60 dishes spanning Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. The live kitchen offers fresh nigiri sushi, freshly baked pizza, the hotel's signature Kowakien ramen, and chicken curry. During the pool season, an Okinawa-themed fair adds regional dishes to the lineup. The buffet also includes free-flow soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Location: Fontainebleau Restaurant, 1st Floor, Hakone Hotel Kowakien
Hours: 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM (90-minute seating from time of entry)
Seating times (selected at the time of reservation): 11:00 AM / 1:00 PM
Hakone Kowakien Motoyu Mori-no-Yu
The adjacent day-use hot spring "Motoyu Mori-no-Yu" (元湯 森の湯) features one of Hakone's largest garden open-air baths, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Guests can enjoy a variety of bathing experiences — outdoor baths, indoor baths, and saunas — all fed by abundant, high-quality hot spring water. The lobby, renovated in March 2025, blends a sense of nostalgic warmth with modern design. An on-site rest area stocked with approximately 3,000 manga volumes and private baths round out the facilities, making it a relaxing option for families and couples alike.
