Gora Kadan is located on the grounds of Kan’in-no-miya Villa, the former summer villa of a member of the Imperial Family in the town of Gora in Hakone.

The ryokan’s public spaces feature clean-cut, minimalist design, emphasising light and space. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the common areas offer breathtaking views of the lush landscape, creating a seamless connection between indoor luxury and the natural beauty of the park. The vast, light-filled walkway leading to the spa and pool adds an additional layer of elegance to the hotel’s overall aesthetic.

Rooms come in semi-Western as well as typical tatami styles, and some have open-air wooden or stone baths. Most impressive is again the natural setting, a mineral pool ringed with enormous rocks.

Dine on seasonal, local classics, expertly curated by Gora-Kadan’s chef, and enjoy the utter silence of the Hakone national park — it feels a long, long way from Tokyo.