Ginyu
C · 6.3 / 10situational
A Hakone ryokan with the best views in the area and its hardest reservation, which in KI-NRT's eyes is resting on its laurels, with those views wrapped in Balinese interiors that could use a refresh, impersonal hotel-like service and a recirculated onsen. 'It's still nice, but for the prices they command I'd expect a bit more,' and its claim to fame nowadays is the difficulty of booking it; he would not return. If you do go, get the highest floor you can for the view.
Scores
Food 3 / 5
KI-NRT found the food hit-and-miss, and when he steers people to Ginyu it is for the views and never for the kitchen.
Bath 3 / 5
The onsen water is recirculated instead of being fed continually straight from the source, which KI-NRT counts against it. Room layouts vary a lot, and in some of them the bath's barriers stand in front of the views, so the room you get matters.
Service 3 / 5
Service is a bit impersonal and very hotel-like. When KI-NRT pulled up to the front there was nobody waiting at the entrance and he had no idea where to park, and at check-in you are seated in the lounge to enjoy the wonderful views, then called back to the front desk counter to do the formalities.
Room 3 / 5
The interiors are Balinese in style, and KI-NRT, who prefers either modern or well-maintained traditional Japanese, finds Ginyu is neither; the place could also use a refresh. Room layouts vary a great deal, and some put bath barriers in front of the view, so the higher the floor the better.
Place 4.5 / 5
For views it is no contest, the best in Hakone, and the higher the floor the better; even KI-NRT, who does not count Ginyu among his Hakone favourites, sends people here when the view is the priority. The seating area where you wait at check-in has the same wonderful views. Ginyu is one of Hakone's prominent luxury ryokans alongside Gora Kadan and Gora Hanaougi, and more centrally located than Yama no Chaya.
Getting there
- Tokyo — 2h10, 1 transfer. Odawara Shinkansen + Hakone Tozan line/bus toward Gora ~2h12.
- Kyoto — 2h15, 1 transfer. Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara + Hakone Tozan line/bus ~2h15.