Yunessun Onsen is a leisure thermal complex located in Hakone, in Kanagawa Prefecture. It stands apart from traditional Japanese hot springs with its original themed baths — wine, coffee, sake, green tea, maple syrup, hot chocolate — combined with family-friendly facilities (water slides, indoor pools, children's areas). Just steps away, the Mori no Yu baths offer a more classical experience, reserved for naturist bathing.

Why visit Yunessun Onsen

Hakone boasts a high concentration of thermal springs, but Yunessun caters to a different clientele than traditional ryokans. The site is ideal for a family outing or a half-day of relaxation after hiking around Mount Hakone or Lake Ashi. Swimwear is required in the Yunessun zone, making it an accessible entry point for travellers unfamiliar with the strict etiquette of Japanese onsens. A combined ticket with Mori no Yu allows you to compare both approaches on the same day: playful on one side, traditional on the other.

What to see and do

Themed baths

The indoor zone is centered around the Gods of the Aegean Sea pool, Mediterranean-inspired, complemented by a children's basin and a jacuzzi. The aromatized baths are the signature of the place:

• Wine bath served from a giant bottle, with aroma diffusion;
• Coffee bath prepared by drip extraction using flannel, a technique inspired by Japanese coffee;
• Iced coffee bath, a seasonal version offered in summer;
• Sake bath, where the beverage is poured directly into the tub;
• Green tea bath with a vegetable-like fragrance;
• Maple syrup bath;
• Hot chocolate bath, among the most recent additions.

The themed tubs are small in size: it is advisable to visit them outside peak hours to fully enjoy each basin.

Panoramic baths and auxiliary facilities

A long panoramic bath offers an open view of Hakone's mountains and Sagami Bay. On the relaxation side, the site offers a Finnish sauna, a heated stone chamber and an outdoor terrace. A foot bath with garra rufa (exfoliating fish) completes the wellness offering: the small fish nibble at dead skin and stimulate circulation.

Fun activities

• Rodeo Mountain water slides in the outdoor aquatic zone;
• Jungle Boxappy children's area with play structures;
• Cave-like baths decorated with jellyfish;
• Dragon waterfall, a massaging water jet for the neck and shoulders.

Practical information

The complex is open year-round, generally during continuous daytime hours; opening times vary by season, so it's best to check the official website before your visit. Plan for about half a day to enjoy the main facilities, longer if you combine with Mori no Yu.

Adult and children rates are separate, with a combined Yunessun + Mori no Yu ticket at a reasonable cost. The site rents swimwear, towels and other equipment; it is therefore possible to arrive empty-handed. Private baths are available for rental by the hour.

A few rules to know:

• The bath water is not potable, despite the appearance of the aromatized liquids;
• Outside food and beverages are not permitted; restaurants and shops are available on-site;
• Swimwear is required in the Yunessun zone (unlike Mori no Yu).

When to go

Yunessun operates year-round and suits every season. Summer highlights outdoor baths and the iced coffee bath version; autumn combines with maple leaf colors around Hakone; winter makes the hot baths particularly appealing, sometimes with snow in the background. Weekends and Japanese school holidays are the busiest periods: prefer weekdays for calmer access to the themed tubs.

How to get there

From Tokyo, take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto or Odawara. Then board a Hakone Tozan or Izu-Hakone bus and get off at the Kowakien stop, located in immediate proximity to the complex's entrance. The Hakone Free Pass covers the entire journey and provides access to most local transport in the area.

What to see nearby

Hakone offers many complementary sites: Lake Ashi and its viewpoint of Mount Fuji on clear days, the volcanic valley of Owakudani, Hakone's open-air museum and Hakone Shrine. To extend your stay in Japan, you can then head to the Kansai region and the Higashiyama district in Kyoto, Mount Arashiyama and its bamboo grove, or venture to Himeji Castle.

Frequently asked questions

Preparing your trip

Yunessun Onsen easily fits into an itinerary combining Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. To plan a tailor-made trip incorporating hot springs, historical sites and nature, consult our Japan trips.