Hakone Honbako

Opened in August 2018 in the nature-rich area of Naka-Gora, Hakone, Hakone Honbako is a unique hotel designed around the theme of books, offering guests a space and time immersed in literature. Housing a curated collection of around 12,000 books—including new releases, vintage editions, and foreign titles—the hotel invites visitors to explore “a life with books” woven into every corner, from the lounge to the restaurant and shop. Uniquely, every book on the premises is available for purchase.

Books are selected across six lifestyle themes: clothing, food, shelter, play, rest, and knowledge, ensuring a diverse and inspiring collection. The hotel isn’t quite a bookstore, library, or ryokan—it’s more like a hidden literary sanctuary, designed to foster intimate encounters with books through thoughtful details scattered throughout the building.

A standout feature is the hotel’s special project, “That Person’s Bookshelf,” where notable book lovers from various fields curate their own book collections, each turned into a mini-library within the hotel.

Each of the 18 guest rooms is uniquely designed, featuring a private open-air hot spring bath and its own curated bookshelf from “That Person’s Bookshelf”—no two rooms are alike, making every stay a fresh discovery.

In addition to in-room baths, guests can enjoy a communal large bath with two types of spring waters: a milky-white sulfur spring and a clear beautifying spring.

Meals are served in the hotel’s first-floor restaurant, showcasing local Hakone gastronomy. Expect dishes highlighting seasonal seafood from Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay, along with organic vegetables and citrus from Kanagawa and Shizuoka—a true taste of the region’s culinary richness.