Madoka no Mori (also written Madokanomori, and listed as part of the Gora Hanaougi group) is a 20-room inn in Gora, Hakone, opened in 2014. Every room has its own open-air hot-spring bath, and the inn describes its aim as “green luxury.” Before you book, three things matter: arrive by 18:00, or dinner may not be served; payment is in advance only; and guests with tattoos can use the large bath.
Madoka no Mori (Madokanomori), Hakone at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1320-862 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa |
| Rooms | 20, all with an open-air bath, beds and non-smoking |
| Check-in / out | 15:00–18:00 / 11:00 (no extension) |
| Large bath | 15:00–24:00 and 5:00–10:00 |
| Tattoos | Allowed in the baths |
| Payment | In advance only; no payment at the inn |
| Shuttle | Free, from Gora and Sounzan stations |
| Parking | Free, up to 11 cars; tell the inn in advance |
| Phone | +81-460-82-4100 (9:00–19:00 Japan time) |
Arrival and checkout rules at Madoka no Mori
What happens if I arrive after 18:00?
The FAQ gives 18:00 as the last check-in and says that after 18:00 the inn may not be able to serve dinner. On the Kappo Mugen plan, the plan page asks guests to arrive by 18:00 as well. If your train or flight is late, call the inn.
Can I check in early or check out late?
Check-in before 15:00 is not possible, but you can wait in the lobby and leave luggage. Checkout is 11:00, and the FAQ says it cannot be extended. If you come by car, you may be able to arrive from 12:00 to drop off the car; ask first.
Rooms at Madoka no Mori, Hakone: 20 rooms, each with an open-air bath
All rooms are Japanese-Western rooms with beds, and the whole building is tatami, so you take your shoes off at the entrance. The inn says it used wood throughout, crafted by carpenters from Hida. Wi-Fi is free in every room and the lobby; there is no wired internet. Room sizes below are from the rooms page.
| Type | Rooms | Size (room + deck) | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suite | 5 | 60–69 m² + 12–19 m² | 2–4 |
| Deluxe | 7 | 50–59 m² + 12–20 m² | 2–4 |
| Standard | 8 | 30–41 m² + 10–17 m² | 2–3 |
Dinner in your room is possible only in the five suites and two deluxe rooms, Asebi and Obana.
The onsen at Madoka no Mori in Hakone
What kind of hot spring is it?
The inn has two hot-spring sources of its own: one for the room baths and one for the large bath. The spa page describes the large-bath water as sodium chloride, sulfate and hydrogen carbonate spring, weakly alkaline (pH 8.3). The room-bath spring comes out at 91.1°C and water is added to cool it. The FAQ notes the large bath is a little hot, around 41°C.
When is the large bath open?
The large bath is split into men’s and women’s sides, each with an indoor bath and three open-air baths, and the sides switch by time. Hours are 15:00–24:00 and 5:00–10:00. There are no handrails. A bedrock bath (ganbanyoku) costs 1,800 yen for 45 minutes, 15:00–24:00, by reservation.
Is there a private bath to book?
The official pages do not mention a reservable private bath. Since every room has its own open-air bath, you can bathe privately in your room at any time.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
Yes. The FAQ says guests with tattoos can use the baths, so the large bath is open to you. For how other inns handle this, see our tattoo and onsen guide.
Meals at Madoka no Mori
Where is dinner served?
Dinner is Kyoto-style kaiseki, served in one of three places depending on your plan: the counter at Kappo Mugen, where food is cooked with hydrogen; a private dining room on the 1st floor or basement; or your room (in the seven rooms listed above). Breakfast is a Japanese set with rice cooked in a pot and miso soup. The bar Kodama in the basement is open 20:00–24:00 and closes on irregular days.
What are the rules for Kappo Mugen?
The Japanese plan page says Kappo Mugen cannot handle allergies because of how the course is made, children aged 12 and under cannot use it, the plan is for one night only, and dinner may not be possible if you miss the start time. Kappo Mugen also closes on irregular days.
Can the inn handle allergies or a special diet?
For in-room and private-room dinners, the Japanese cuisine page asks you to tell the inn about allergies at least 3 days before, and lists allergies it cannot handle: soy sauce, miso, gluten, vegetables in general, bonito and kelp stock, and seafood in general. The FAQ adds that it cannot fully accommodate allergies, and cannot handle cases such as not eating any fish. If your allergy is serious, contact the inn before booking.
Prices, children and payment at Madoka no Mori
How much does a stay cost?
Check the price of each plan on the official booking page. The site says listed prices include service charge and consumption tax unless stated otherwise. Hakone also charges a bathing tax of 150 yen per person per night, and children under 12 are exempt, according to the Hakone town website; the inn’s pages do not say how it is collected. See our onsen bathing tax guide.
What do children cost?
Babies are welcome. Infants to pre-school children pay a facility fee of 3,300 yen each, with no meals or bedding; children’s meals cost 70 percent of the adult price, and there is a menu for ages 3 and up (children’s meals page). Families with children can book 2nd-floor rooms only. Baby food is not provided, but you can bring your own for free.
What is the cancellation policy?
Check the cancellation rule on the plan you book, before you pay. Because you pay in advance, read it carefully. Our hotel cancellation guide explains how fees work in Japan.
How do I pay?
The FAQ says payment is in advance only; you cannot pay at the inn. Cards listed are JCB, Visa, American Express, Diners, Mastercard and UnionPay.
Getting to Madoka no Mori in Gora, Hakone
The nearest stations are Gora and Sounzan. The inn runs a free shuttle: pick-up 15:00–18:00 and drop-off 9:15–11:00. Call the inn when you arrive at the station, and the car comes in about 5 to 10 minutes. The access page gives about 2 hours from Tokyo Station, about 2 hours 10 minutes from Haneda Airport and about 3 hours from Narita Airport. Parking in front of the entrance is free for up to 11 cars; tell the inn in advance. From December to March roads may freeze, so drive with winter tires or chains. For the area, see our things to do in Hakone guide.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Madoka no Mori
- The whole inn is tatami: shoes come off at the entrance.
- Arrive by 18:00; later than that, dinner may not be possible.
- You must pay in advance, so check the cancellation rule on your plan first.
- Tell the inn about allergies at least 3 days before, and note that Kappo Mugen cannot handle allergies.
- The English site lists an email address, info@madokanomori.com; phone hours are 9:00–19:00 Japan time.
Frequently asked questions
Does every room at Madoka no Mori have a private open-air bath?
Can I bathe with a tattoo at Madoka no Mori?
What time must I arrive at Madoka no Mori?
Can I pay at Madoka no Mori when I arrive?
Can children stay at Madoka no Mori?
Bottom line (2026): Madoka no Mori is a 20-room inn in Gora where every room has its own open-air hot-spring bath, and the large bath accepts guests with tattoos. Arrive by 18:00, pay in advance, and check the cancellation rule and meal details on your plan before you book.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Madoka no Mori’s official pages: home (Japanese), home (English), rooms, spa, cuisine (Japanese), children’s meals, FAQ (Japanese), FAQ (English), access and the Kappo Mugen plan (Japanese), and from the Hakone town bathing tax page. All were read on October 20, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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