Kansuiro Ryokan in Hakone
 

Hello, has anyone had experience at the Kansuiro Ryokan Hakone? Is it difficult to get to the lake from here?

That looks like a wonderful place. It's almost 400 years old.

The website has info on an infrequent shuttle bus between Hakone-Yumoto station and the ryokan. It also says that it is a 5 minute walk to the Tonosawa station.

Take a look at the map:
http://www.kansuiro.co.jp/eng/map_hakone_area.html

From Tonosawa or H-Y stations you can take the Tozan train, a cable car, and a couple of segments of the Hakone Rope Way to get to Togendai at the north end of Lake Ashi. That is the most interesting route. The tourist boat can take you to Hakone.

The other way would be to take the bus. You could go back (by shuttle, bus, walk/train) to Hakone-Yumoto station and get a bus from there to Hakone. The bus from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone on the lake takes 40 minutes.

I think there is a bus from Choukoku-Mori station (get there by bus or train) to Hakone. Maybe a bus from Tonosawa thru to Hakone.

All of that travel can be done using the Hakone Free Pass.

Here is another decent map and some good travel info:
http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/maps/hakone_main.htm

I agree - it looks wonderful. You could also get a taxi to the lake. In touristy areas, you can sometimes negotiate with a taxi driver to hire him/her for the day at a good rate.

Thanks all for your comments. KimJapan - Is there a particular etiquette when approaching taxi drivers for a tour? Have you tried using a taxi this way? sounds like a good way to get a tour of Hakone.

No particular etiquette...if you get a driver you like, you can ask them if they might be available for the day. We did this once in Kyoto, and haven't tried again, but would if the occasion arose. I know several Japanese people who have done this, which is why I did it, which is why I suggested it. You might also inquire with your hotel about a private taxi (rather than a company).

I will give the taxi a go. On a side note KimJapan, I noticed you recomended Hoshokaku in an old thread. We have reserved a few nights here on an educated guess. Have you had an eperience here?

Not personal experience, but it comes recommended, and looks very nice as well. I hope you enjoy it! Please report on your stay there.