In the 2026 Michelin Key selection, only two ryokan in Japan received three Keys: Gora Kadan in Hakone and Asaba in Shuzenji on the Izu Peninsula. At both, the inn itself is the reason to go, but the buildings and their surroundings are very different.
At a glance
| Gora Kadan | Asaba | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Gora, Hakone (site of a former imperial family villa) | The centre of Shuzenji Onsen, Izu |
| Signature | Buildings stepping down the slope, long corridors | A Noh stage seen across the pond |
| Rooms | From 94 sqm suites to a 363 sqm pavilion | A small inn with few rooms |
| Baths in the room | Suites with open-air, stone or hinoki baths | — |
| Michelin Keys (2026) | Three Keys | Three Keys |
Michelin Keys are the Michelin Guide’s decision, not STAYLOG’s rating. “—” means we hold no record.
Gora Kadan: an inn spread down a mountainside
Gora Kadan is a long-established ryokan at Gora, on the site of a former imperial family villa. Its buildings step down the slope, and long corridors and windows keep the mountain green in view. Rooms range from 94 sqm standard suites to the 363 sqm pavilion “Hare”, with suites that have open-air, stone or hinoki baths.
It is less a base for sightseeing in Hakone than a place to spend your time inside, for the architecture, the garden and the food.
Asaba: the pond and the Noh stage
Asaba is a long-established ryokan at the centre of Shuzenji Onsen, with a Noh stage set across its pond. The view over the water to the stage is the image of the place, and the pond changes with the seasons.
It is easy to combine with a walk around Shuzenji, but it is small, with few rooms, so your choice of dates can be limited.
Which suits you?
- You want to choose by room size and the type of private bath → Gora Kadan
- You want to stay in Hakone, closer to Tokyo → Gora Kadan
- You want the quiet of a small inn and the view of the pond and Noh stage → Asaba
- You want to walk an onsen town as well → Asaba (in the centre of Shuzenji)
Read the Gora Kadan stay reports or the Asaba stay reports before you decide.
FAQ
- Q. Which ryokan have three Michelin Keys?
- A. In the 2026 selection, Gora Kadan and Asaba. The Keys are the Michelin Guide’s decision, not STAYLOG’s.
- Q. Do the rooms have private baths?
- A. Gora Kadan has suites with rock open-air baths, and suites with stone, hinoki or infinity baths. For Asaba, check the room details on its official site before booking.
- Q. Which is more expensive?
- A. Rates change a great deal with the date, room and plan, so we do not compare them. Each ryokan page links to booking sites where you can check current prices.
Related reading
- Private onsen in Japan: what “in-room”, “open-air” and “free-flowing” really mean
A room “with a private onsen” can mean an outdoor bath, an indoor tub by an open window, or a bath you book by the hour. We show what each term covers, using examples from hotels’ official sites, checked October 2026.
- 10 luxury hotels and ryokan in Japan toured by travel YouTubers
Ten of Japan’s luxury hotels and ryokan that English-speaking travel YouTubers have stayed at and filmed — from Aman Kyoto and Amanemu to Gora Kadan and Park Hyatt Niseko — with links to each video.
- Hakone vs Kawaguchiko: where to stay for onsen and Mount Fuji
Hakone or Lake Kawaguchi for a luxury ryokan stay? We compare getting there from Tokyo, Mount Fuji views, private onsen baths and travelling without a car, using each hotel’s official information.