ESPACIO: A Forest-Valley Sanctuary in Japan's Mountains

The drive into the forest past Miyanoshita opens into a world that feels deliberately quieter than usual. At the end of a cable-car descent you find ESPACIO Hakone, tucked into a valley shaded by moss and maples, beside the soft murmur of a river. The architecture and interiors don’t shout–they listen. Everything is aligned with the forest around them, the seasons above them, and the hot-spring culture beneath.

Here you aren’t arriving at a resort. You’re arriving into a pause.

Between Trees, Water and Quiet

ESPACIO Hakone lies approximately 100 meters below the higher ridge road, hidden from view until you traverse the forest path or the property’s private monorail. The valley is secluded, and the resort is designed to disappear into it, allowing nature to speak first. The houses and villas sit among cedar, birch, and larch – light filters through leaves, birds pass overhead, and the river’s hush becomes a steady companion.

It’s rare in its location: part of the famed hot-spring region of Hakone, yet far from the bustle of the main village. The sense of time slows. You arrive, and you notice you are slower.

Architecture & Interiors That Resonate With Place

Walking into an ESPACIO villa, you immediately feel that the design honors materials and craft. Traditional Japanese techniques–kumiko woodwork, washi-paper panels, lacquer finishes–combine with minimalist lines and wide glass expanses facing forest and water.

Each villa is distinctive, shaped to harmonize with its surroundings. Proportions feel calm. Nothing is over-scaled. Windows look out, not in. Surfaces reflect texture, not shine. Design elements feel rooted in natural materials, warm lighting, and silence.

The experience is immersive, not performative. You relax not despite the design, but because of it.

Accommodations: Villas of Privacy and Stillness

ESPACIO Hakone offers just nine suites, each a stand-alone villa positioned along the valley slope. These are quiet, contemplative spaces designed for privacy and harmony with the natural world.

Room categories include:

Two-Bedroom Villa: Ideal for families or friends traveling together, with ample space, indoor-outdoor bathing areas, and a shared living zone.
One-Bedroom Villa: Best for couples or solo travelers seeking seclusion, each villa features a deep-soaking bath and private terrace.
Flagship Villa: The most spacious option, with generous outdoor space and elevated interior detail. Reserved for guests who desire greater comfort in extended stays.

The villas feature textured materials, curated art, low-profile furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling glass that folds into the landscape. Bathrooms flow seamlessly to terraces, allowing guests to bathe in mineral-rich water while immersed in mountain air.

Cuisine & Onsen Culture

Dining at ESPACIO Hakone is rooted in seasonality and precision. Multi-course meals are served in-suite or in the central dining area, with menus that draw from the mountain and ocean. Each dish reflects subtlety: vegetables from the region, river fish, seasonal broths, and elegant preparation.

The resort sources its onsen water from a natural spring in the area. Guests have access to both indoor and open-air baths within their villas, allowing for full immersion in the ritual of bathing. The mineral-rich waters are a core part of the ESPACIO experience, whether at sunrise or under the evening stars.

Slow Moments, Forest Paths, and Stillness

What stays with you isn’t just the room or the view. It’s the experience of being in a place that doesn’t force anything. Walks through the trees before breakfast. Steam rising from the bath. Late-afternoon shadows on tatami floors. Books half-finished. Silence respected.

ESPACIO Hakone creates space for stillness. You move slower. You speak softer. You feel more.

Getting There

By Train & Car: From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen or JR line to Odawara Station. From there, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Line to Miyanoshita Station. ESPACIO is approximately 15 minutes from Miyanoshita by private vehicle.
By Airport Transfer: From Haneda Airport, the journey is approximately 90 minutes by private transfer depending on traffic.
By Road: Driving from central Tokyo takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes under normal conditions. Parking is available at the upper reception point.
On-Property Access: Once at the upper reception, guests descend via private monorail into the forest valley to reach the villas.

Why ESPACIO Hakone Leaves an Impression

There is a restraint to this place that feels like grace. It doesn’t chase trends or crowd its spaces with decoration. It holds still. It allows the forest to lead, and guests to rest without spectacle.

What you carry back is quiet. And often, that’s what stays longest.