Quick FactsOverview
About Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, Japan is a hot spring theme park in Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Kanagawa Prefecture, combining a swimsuit-required themed bath zone with a separate traditional Japanese onsen area. The facility is divided into two distinct sections: the Yunessun area, where visitors wear swimsuits and enjoy novelty baths and water attractions, and Motoyu Mori no Yu, a quieter gender-separated area in the traditional Japanese style with no swimwear permitted. Tickets can be purchased for either section individually or as a combined Park Passport.
The Yunessun area is known for its themed baths: the Wine Bath fills a pool with red wine; the Coffee Bath uses real low-temperature drip-extracted coffee in hot spring water; the Green Tea Bath and the Sake Bath are among the other distinctive options. The section also includes a large Rodeo Mountain outdoor waterslide that operates year-round thanks to warm onsen water, a flowing pool added in 2023, a children's jungle gym water play area, and scenic open-air baths overlooking Sagami Bay. Mori no Yu offers a more traditional experience with garden open-air baths, a collagen bath for women, a ceramic bath, and private bath sections with mountain views. Towels, swimsuits, and indoor clothes are available to rent at an additional charge.
Location & Access
Getting to Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is at 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0407. From Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, take the Hakone Tozan Bus (Line H bound for Hakonecho-minato) for approximately 20 minutes and exit at the Kowakien or Yunessun-mae bus stop. From JR and Odakyu Odawara Station, the same bus line takes approximately 40 minutes. From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Line rapid express to Odawara (around 90 minutes), then the bus; total journey approximately two hours and fifteen minutes. Free shuttle buses operate from hotels in the Yunessun area. By car from Tokyo via the Odawara-Atsugi Road, exit at Hakone-Kowakien.
The Yunessun swimsuit area is open weekdays 10:00 to 18:00 and weekends and holidays 9:00 to 19:00. Mori no Yu is open daily 11:00 to 20:00 with last entry at 19:30. Ticket prices: Yunessun only 2,500 yen (adults); Mori no Yu only 1,500 yen (adults); Park Passport for both 3,500 yen (adults). Children's tickets are available at reduced prices. Towels and swimsuits are available to rent at an additional fee. The entry point is on the 4th floor of the complex. Confirm current hours and prices at the official website before visiting.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Suits
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun suits families with children who want an energetic hot spring day that goes beyond the traditional onsen experience. The themed baths, water slides, and children's play areas in the Yunessun zone provide entertainment alongside relaxation, and the swimsuit requirement means children and families can bathe together in a way that traditional communal onsen do not allow. It is also well-suited to groups of friends and couples who want the novelty of wine or coffee baths as part of a Hakone day trip.
For visitors who prefer the traditional onsen experience, the Mori no Yu section offers a quieter setting with outdoor and indoor baths, mountain views, and the standard Japanese bathhouse atmosphere without swimwear. The Park Passport is the best value for those who want to experience both areas in one visit. The on-site shopping mall, restaurants, and relaxation services make it easy to spend a full day at the facility.
The facility is not fully barrier-free; steps and stairs are present throughout both sections. Visitors with mobility requirements are advised to contact Yunessun directly before visiting (Tel: 0460-82-4126, weekdays 10:00-19:00, weekends 9:00-19:00). Towels are available to rent, so it is not necessary to bring your own. The Yunessun area is generally busier on weekends and during Japanese public holidays.
Safety & Etiquette
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Safety Tips
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is generally safe as a professionally operated theme park with staffed facilities. The main safety considerations are the high water temperatures in the Mori no Yu section, the physical demands of the Yunessun water attractions for children, and the specific health contraindications for thermal bathing.
Pool and bath temperatures across the facility vary significantly: the Mori no Yu traditional onsen baths run at standard Japanese onsen temperatures of around 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, while many Yunessun themed baths are set at lower temperatures for comfort in a swimsuit environment. In the Mori no Yu section, limit soaking time to 10 to 15 minutes per bath, rest between soaks, and drink water throughout. People with heart conditions, hypertension, or open wounds should not use the hot spring baths or should consult a doctor first. The Mori no Yu collagen bath is a women-only area; check individual bath signage for any restrictions.
The Rodeo Mountain waterslide and other water attractions in the Yunessun area have height and age restrictions; check requirements at the entry desk before attempting any rides with children. The facility is not fully barrier-free and contains steps and stairs throughout. Standard onsen etiquette applies in the Mori no Yu section: wash thoroughly before entering, no swimwear in the gender-separated baths, and keep towels out of the water. In the Yunessun swimsuit area, swimwear is required at all times in the pool zones.
