Bold claim: The Okura Resort brand is making its Japan debut with a tranquil hot-spring escape in Hakone Gora, poised to open in 2029. But here’s where it gets interesting: this isn’t just a new hotel—it marks a strategic expansion of The Okura Resort under a collaboration between Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. and Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd., with Nishimatsu developing and owning the property while Hotel Okura will operate it.
Hakone, famed for its geothermal springs and seasonal scenery, attracts nearly 20 million visitors annually from both domestic and international markets. The new resort will sit in the Gora area, renowned for its abundant hot springs, and will showcase views of the Hakone mountains, including the iconic Myojogatake. Guests will have opportunities to enjoy local attractions like Hakone’s summer festival while soaking in the natural beauty across the year.
Toshihiro Ogita, President of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., expressed excitement about introducing The Okura Resort to Hakone, highlighting the destination’s rich history, natural charm, and cultural appeal. He emphasized delivering a distinctive experience rooted in the company’s hospitality philosophy of omotenashi in this special setting.
The Okura Resort concept embodies the brand’s long-standing commitment to Japanese aesthetics and traditional hospitality grounded in wa (harmony). It promises refined spaces, personalized, high-quality service, and cuisine that highlights regional ingredients, all while respecting and blending with the surrounding environment.
Design for the project is by Gwenael Nicolas of Curiosity, an award-winning Tokyo-based studio. The resort, conceived as a “Forest Hideaway,” will harmonize with Gora’s lush landscape, featuring warm green and beige tones. Expansive windows will frame Hakone’s mountains, creating an immersive, tranquil atmosphere.
Accommodations and facilities center on two wings—the West and East—totaling 58 rooms with private open-air baths drawing on waters from the renowned Owakudani Hot Spring. Rooms average about 63 square meters and include balconies, offering generous space. The wellness suite will include an indoor onsen, plus dry and mist saunas. Dining options will comprise a fine-dining restaurant with a teppanyaki counter and a lobby lounge/bar, all designed to provide a refined retreat that complements Gora’s natural beauty.
Key details about The Okura Resort Hakone Gora:
- Location: Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Total floor area: 9,650.84 square meters
- Layout: West Wing (3 floors above ground, 3 basement levels); East Wing (4 floors above ground)
- Guest rooms: 58 (West Wing: 12 rooms; East Wing: 46 rooms)
- Dining and refreshment: Fine-dining restaurant, lounge, and bar
- Leisure facilities: Large bathing area (indoor, with dry and mist saunas) and two treatment rooms
- Access: Roughly 5 minutes by car from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway; about a 3-minute walk from Naka-Gora cable car station
About Hotel Okura Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1958, Hotel Okura opened its flagship Okura Tokyo in 1962, renowned for marrying traditional Japanese beauty with top-tier accommodations, cuisine, and service. After closing in 2015 for extensive rebuilding, it reopened as The Okura Tokyo in 2019. The company excels in asset ownership, hotel development, and management across its brand family, which emphasizes the promise of “Best Accommodation, Cuisine and Service.” The Okura umbrella includes Okura Hotels & Resorts, Nikko Hotels International, and Hotel JAL City, coordinating hundreds of properties and guest rooms via its network. Visit www.okura.com for more information.
Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., a Hotel Okura subsidiary, operates 79 properties (53 in Japan and 26 overseas) across three groups, totaling about 23,605 guest rooms (as of December 1, 2025). Learn more at www.okura-nikko.com.
If you’re curious about what makes a resort truly exceptional, think beyond rooms: immersive natural surroundings, culturally resonant experiences, and a hospitality approach that treats guests as part of the local landscape. Would Hakone’s blend of hot springs and seasonal scenery be your ideal escape, or do you lean toward a different region for this kind of retreat? Share thoughts in the comments.
