Reading Books, Engaging with Books

Hakone Honbako, a book hotel themed "Proposing a new lifestyle through books and fostering culture for the future through encounters with books," has opened.

In a society where people are increasingly detached from books, the facility is filled with various elements designed to "bring you closer to books" and make you "want to live with books."

The facility is produced, directed, and operated by Jiyujin Co., Ltd., which also manages "Satoyama Jujo," a lifestyle-oriented complex facility in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. They provide high-quality services.

There are 18 guest rooms in 6 types, all featuring open-air hot spring baths and "Someone's Bookshelf." These are original bookshelves curated by book-loving individuals active in various fields. They are installed not only in guest rooms but also in various locations throughout the facility, featuring selections by writers, artists, and actors. Discovering which bookshelf is where is part of the fun.


Each guest room has a unique interior design, with no two rooms being alike. Books are placed so you can enjoy them as if relaxing in your own living room, even in the bathroom or toilet.

In a space that stimulates creative thinking, you can immerse yourself in reading, organize your thoughts, write proposals, or simply spend time doing nothing at all. You can spend your time as you wish.


As befits a hot spring resort like Hakone, the hot springs are also a highlight. In addition to the private open-air baths in the guest rooms, there are two large public baths and open-air baths for men and women, respectively. You can enjoy two types of hot springs: a colorless, odorless, skin-beautifying hot spring sourced from the Gōra Onsen hot spring, and a cloudy sulfur spring sourced from Ōwakudani Onsen. The public baths are fed directly from the source, allowing you to relax your body tired from reading.

The restaurant and cafe offer natural Italian cuisine themed "Organic & Cleansing." The food director is Yuji Sasaki, who gained experience at the Michelin-starred "Antica Osteria del Ponte" in Milan and "Osteria Enotecca da Sassino" in Hirosaki.


The menu features seafood from Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay, and organic vegetables and citrus fruits from Kanagawa and Shizuoka, expressing Hakone's local gastronomy. The restaurant is open continuously from lunch to dinner, and can also be used as a cafe during off-peak hours. A selection of natural wines, coffee, herbal teas, organic juices, cakes, and cookies are also available, allowing you to enjoy them throughout your stay.

As expected of a book hotel, there is also a fully equipped bookstore. With approximately 10,000 new and used books, as well as foreign publications, it is the largest bookstore in Hakone. The bookstore's selection focuses on genres that add color to life, such as "clothing," "food," "shelter," "play," "rest," and "knowledge," proposing "a life with books" in conjunction with the lounge, restaurant, and shop.

The concept planning, selection, system management, and VMD for the bookstore were handled by NIPPAN's book direction brand, "YOUR BOOK STORE."
Takuro Someya from "YOUR BOOK STORE" serves as the director.

Not only the bookstore, but all the books in the facility can be purchased. This is a facility that emphasizes the ability to actually buy books, rather than just viewing them as interior decoration.


Additionally, the facility features a "Honbako Lounge," a book lounge with an impressive open atrium, and a "Honbako Theater" in collaboration with the short film brand "ShortShorts." You can enjoy not only books but also entertainment comprehensively.

Furthermore, the membership program "Honbako Kai" is launching. This program allows members to use Hakone Honbako casually as a satellite office or a second home, not just as a hotel or restaurant.

While normally only the bookstore, shop, and restaurant & cafe are available for day visits, program members can access all areas except guest rooms, including the hot springs, Honbako Lounge, guest-only lounge, and theater rooms.

Hakone Honbako offers a comfortable stay not only for book lovers but also for those who don't often have the chance to engage with books. We encourage you to visit and experience the luxury of living with books.


Hakone Honbako
Location | 1320-491 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Rates | From ¥18,321 (including breakfast and dinner) *Price per person for double occupancy
Rooms | 18 rooms, all with private open-air hot spring baths
Meals | Breakfast and dinner served at the restaurant
Check-in/Check-out | 15:00 / 11:00

Honbako Kai
Membership recruitment and program launch scheduled for autumn 2018 onwards
【Individual Membership】
Membership Fee | ¥2,000 (Usage registration fee)
Drop-in Rate | ¥1,000 per hour (Hourly usage)
Annual Fee | ¥100,000 per year

【Corporate Membership】
Membership Fee | ¥10,000 (Usage registration fee)
Drop-in Rate | ¥1,000 per hour (Hourly usage)
Annual Fee | Varies depending on the number of users. Please inquire.