---
title: "Hakone Elegance vs Kinokuniya Ryokan: which hotel is better?"
description: "Too close to call. Each hotel leads in 2 categories. Your priorities decide. Hakone Elegance or Kinokuniya Ryokan in Hakone? Compare guest ratings, location…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hakone-elegance-hakone-vs-kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-14
---

# Hakone Elegance vs Kinokuniya Ryokan

Both are in Hakone, 1.7 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Inn · ★★★ · Ashigarashimo County
## [Hakone Elegance](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/hakone-elegance-hakone/)

- **Guest rating:** 6.8 ·  Okay

- **Location score:** 4.3

- **Score by category:** 2 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1485389/agoda/?lang=en)

Ryokan · ★★★★ · Ashigarashimo County
## [Kinokuniya Ryokan](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.2 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 2.9

- **Score by category:** 2 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1728568/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Too close to call

Each hotel leads in 2 categories. Your priorities decide. 1.7 km apart.

### Choose Hakone Elegance if you want

-   more restaurants on the doorstep
-   a smaller, quieter hotel

### Choose Kinokuniya Ryokan if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay
-   to walk to the sights
-   a big hotel with more facilities

### Why is Hakone Elegance better than Kinokuniya Ryokan?

1.  1.7 km closer to the beach (2.8 km vs 4.5 km) (−1.7 km)
2.  14 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+14)
3.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 54 vs 21) (+33)
4.  4 more sights within 1 km (+4)

### Why is Kinokuniya Ryokan better than Hakone Elegance?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.2 vs 6.8) (+1.4)
2.  Higher star rating (4★ vs 3★) (+1★)
3.  More guest reviews (198 vs 12), so the rating is more reliable (×17)

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Hakone Elegance | Kinokuniya Ryokan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 6.8 | 8.2  (+1.4) |
| Location | 4.3  (+1.4) | 2.9 |
| Beach access | 0.7  (+0.7) | 0.0 |
| Public transport | 1.3 | 1.9  (+0.6) |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.1 | 8.3  (+0.2) |
| Guest rating | 6.8 | 8.2  (+1.4) |
| Number of reviews | 12 | 198  (+186) |
| Google rating | – | 3.9/5 |
| Google reviews | – | 412 |
| Rank in Hakone | top 90% | top 84%  (+6%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 4.3  (+1.4) | 2.9 |
| Distance to Ashigarashimo County centre | 2.7 km  (−130 m) | 2.8 km |
| To the beach | 2.8 km | – |
| To public transport | 1.8 km | 1.6 km  (−120 m) |
| To the airport | 56 km | 57 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 16  (+14) | 2 |
| Sights within 1 km | 5  (+4) | 1 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★★★ | ★★★★  (+1★) |
| Rooms | 11 | 25 |
| Newest building or renovation | – | 1989 |
| Listed amenities | – | 10 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 15:00 | 15:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | – | ✓ |
| Free parking | – | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | – | ✓ |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Massage | – | ✓ |
| Smoke-free | – | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | – | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | ✓ |
| Couples | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | – | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ |

[Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone-vs-hakone-elegance-hakone/)

## Location

1.7 km apart

## Hakone Elegance or Kinokuniya Ryokan: common questions

### Which is better, Hakone Elegance or Kinokuniya Ryokan?

They are evenly matched. Hakone Elegance is stronger in location, beach access; Kinokuniya Ryokan is stronger in guest rating, public transport.

### Which is cheaper, Hakone Elegance or Kinokuniya Ryokan?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Hakone Elegance is closer: 2.7 km from the centre, against 2.8 km for Kinokuniya Ryokan.

### How far apart are Hakone Elegance and Kinokuniya Ryokan?

The two hotels are 1.7 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Hakone Elegance vs Moto-Hakone Guest House](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hakone-elegance-hakone-vs-moto-hakone-guest-house-hakone/)
-   [Hakone Elegance vs Hotel Shiki no Yakata Hakone Ashinoko](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hakone-elegance-hakone-vs-hotel-shiki-no-yakata-hakone-ashinoko-hakone/)
-   [Hakone Elegance vs Guesthouse Hakone Lumi](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/guesthouse-hakone-lumi-hakone-vs-hakone-elegance-hakone/)
-   [Hakone Elegance vs Lake Side Inn MIRAHAKONE](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hakone-elegance-hakone-vs-lake-side-inn-mirahakone-hakone/)
-   [Kinokuniya Ryokan vs Matsuzakaya Honten](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone-vs-matsuzakaya-honten-hakone/)
-   [Kinokuniya Ryokan vs Hakone Yunohana Prince Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hakone-yunohana-prince-hotel-hakone-vs-kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone/)
-   [Kinokuniya Ryokan vs Hotel Shiki no Yakata Hakone Ashinoko](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotel-shiki-no-yakata-hakone-ashinoko-hakone-vs-kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone/)
-   [Kinokuniya Ryokan vs Bar Hotel Hakone Kazan](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/bar-hotel-hakone-kazan-hakone-vs-kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

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Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hakone-elegance-hakone-vs-kinokuniya-ryokan-hakone/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/