Yoshiike Sangetsu Gardens

Hakone has always been a favorite holiday destination for locals and tourists. Just less than ten minutes on foot from Hakone-Yumoto station, the historic Yoshiike Ryokan, built in 1940, is one of the exotic hot spring accommodations in the town center. Covering 33,000 square meters, it comprises six indoor, outdoor and private natural hot spring baths, a communal cave and luxurious dining venues. Above all, the facility boasts an enchanting promenade garden, Yoshiike Sangetsu Gardens. Prominent highlights include Meiji-period teahouses and a villa belonging to the Mitsubishi conglomerate, Yanosuke Iwasaki.

Layout and Features

Photo by: PIXTA/ ytake

A beautifully curated, small pond garden, plotted with rocks and manicured bushes, is directly visible from the hotel lobby window. Stone paths take you up to the surrounding nature, filled with lush pine, weeping cherry, maple, and evergreen trees. Seasonal flowers, such as cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, lilies, hibiscus, camellias, peach blossoms, daffodils and myrtles, add color and exuberance to the picturesque setting.

The oasis spans across 10,000 square meters, with a large central pond, artificial hills, tiny islands, waterfalls, bridges, a 13-storey pagoda, and famous stones. The pure water flowing into the pond comes from the Sukomagawa River. You can spot about a thousand carp, rainbow trout, and little crabs. Stone slabs cross over the pond, so you can stand in the middle of the pond and absorb a 360-degree scenic view of the entire estate. 

On the other side of the enormous pond, you can pause for a rest at a covered wooden open hut overlooking the waters or at a raised platform with modern lounge chairs made of natural materials. The vista of the Tonomine Mountain range and towering trees from this terrace is truly exhilarating. In the evening, the moon hovers over the mountains, a spectacular sight that earned the garden its name, Moon Mountain Garden.

Villa and Teahouses 

Photo by: PIXTA/ ytake

The Iwasaki residence was built in 1904 and is a registered Tangible Cultural Property. The wooden structure has shingled gabled roofs on the first level and Japanese tiles on the second level. You can take in a stunning panorama of the surrounding landscape from the higher ground.

Next to the villa is the Shinkoan teahouse. Traditional architecture has existed since the Tokugawa period and has delicately preserved its original materials to this day. Another teahouse, the Akatsuki-tei, was originally built by Meiji Prince Yamagata Aritomo in its former location in Odawara City. The prince often visited the teahouse from the Imperial Villa in Odawara. The veranda made from old Nara materials and the tearoom in magnolia logs are quite impressive. Both treasures are Tangible Cultural Properties. Guests may occasionally participate in tea ceremonies.

Special Event

Every year, typically from February to April or May, the ryokan holds a “Garden of Light with Dancing Cherry Blossoms” light-up event. This year, from March 21 to April 12, Yoshiike Sangetsu Gardens glitters until 10 p.m., with cherry blossoms creating magical reflections on the waters. Make your reservations at the front desk.