AMMS Hotels Shuzanji Onsen Hotel TAKITEI - Izu

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This hotel is about 40-45 minutes from Odawara station and the road is kind of too small and narrow for a driver who used to driving in California cities. Many time drivers from opposite directions have to share lanes. There are lots of standing traffic mirrors installed along the road going up and down hills. The hotel itself is kinda old and the bathroom feels like a toilet on the plane.

This is a traditional Japanese-style hotel room with traditional service. The room was fantastic and was the perfect size for two. We paid extra for a private bath on the balcony facing an amazing mountain with a creek below and waterfalls scattered throughout. Be prepared for traditional Japanese meals served in your room by an adorable, kimono-clad waitstaff. This place does not have many English speaking staff members, so it helps if you know some basic Japanese. However, if you don't know the language, it is still an incredible experience. Another thing to note is that this is ryokan is not in Hakone proper. You will need to take a train from Odawara Shinkansen station to Yugawara Station. After that it's about a 10 minute taxi ride to the hotel. While out-of-the-way, it was still a fantastic experience and we had a terrific time.

As we were a family of 4 they put us in the annex, which turned out to be very large for Japanese standards. We all had a full size bed, table and chairs, large bathroom and seperate toilet. The lobby and hallways in the annex area are dated and minimalistic, so we were delighted when we saw the room. The rooms were very clean and comfy, and the hot spring onsen were great and a must. Male and Female are separated. It is worth knowing the rules about bathing in these places before going, as you are to wash before entering at one of the wash cubicles, and not allow any soap, wash cloths or anything to get in the water. The main hotel was pleasant, but still not modern, more older but in good shape. The building is round. The view over the lake and walking along it is beautiful and we were lucky to have clear weather and be able to see Mt Fuji easily. By the hotel is a great bakery, a few gift shops and clothes shops and a couple of restaurants. Plus an aquarium, and pedal boats on the lake. These are all basically open 10am to 3/4pm. There's a bus to Moto Hakone from the hotel ($4 per adult), but be warned they stop running about 2.30pm or so. We managed to get a taxi back for about $16. Moto Hakone or Togendai are small and have little to offer in restaurants. We spent one afternoon at the Kowakien Yunessun - terrific fun, and had a nice meal there before getting the bus to Moto H (on free pass), then taxi back to hotel. We also opted for not having the room cleaned and received a voucher for about $13 to spend in the gift shop or hotel restaurant. To stay here it is not convenient, but you get nice views and a big room if you're a family.

My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at the resort recently, and we thoroughly enjoyed the brief stay. The accommodations were excellent. The location on a mountainside on the Izu Peninsula overlooking the ocean was quiet, isolated and romantic The spa facilities and pool area was immaculate and very relaxing. Our Prix Fixe French cuisine at the Spa's Brasserie Flora was excellent. A little pricey, considering the value of the dollar, but worth it. The resort is easily accessible from the cities of Odawara and Atami. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to the local railway station, five minutes away down the mountain, and to Odawara station, 45 minutes travel. We took both shuttles. The price for the room was reasonable. I recommend this resort and spa highly, when visiting Japan.