Hakone Onsen Theme Park Turns Into A Yokai Haunting Pool Till 30th Sept

Hakone yokai onsen

Japanese folklore about supernatural entities – yokai – gain a second wind every August, when spirits are said to be free to roam our world.

An onsen theme park in Hakone, in collaboration with the recently released movie The Great Yokai War: Guardians, took Japanese folklore to another level by transforming their baths into the stuff of nightmares.

Yokai haunted bath house event

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Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, an onsen theme park in Hakone, has teamed up with the people behind the movie The Great Yokai War: Guardians to bring brave bathers a haunted bath house event. As part of the event, various indoor bath areas have been turned into yokai haunting pools for ghosts and monsters from Japanese folklore.

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The coffee bath area was transformed into the Blood Pond of Hell, where yokai from all over the world to hold the yammit – a ghostly conference to discuss how yokai and humans can work together.

Image credit: 箱根小涌園ユネッサン

The green tea bath area was converted into a Kappa Swamp. Unlike other swamps, this one emanates a subtle fragrance of green tea.

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Perhaps the Yuki-onna is the perfect antidote for the sweltering summer heat, as she has transformed the wine bath area into a cool Yuki-onna Bath.

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The aroma room has also been transformed into a yokai shrine that feels more like a liminal space. Entering the room feels like you’ve been sucked into a new domain. It is said that if you were to make a wish to the yokai in this room, it might actually come true.

Hitotsume-kozo Yokai curry rice
Image credit: PR Times

Yuki-onna Hiehie Kama Furo ice cream dessert
Image credit: PR Times

(From left to right) Yokai ice float and Daimajin souvenir cookies
Image credit: PR Times

After visiting the haunted baths, you should check out the exclusive yokai food, drinks, and merchandise sold at the theme park – some of these include the Hitotsume-kozo Yokai curry rice (¥1,300, ~USD11.86), Yuki-onna Hiehie Kama Furo dessert (¥650, ~USD5.93), Yokai ice float (¥650, ~USD5.93), and Daimajin souvenir cookies (¥1,080, ~USD9.85).

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun onsen theme park

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Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is an onsen theme park located at the centre of Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. The theme park comprises two main areas: the Yunessun area and the Mori No Yu area.

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The Yunessun area is the lively side of the theme park, with many unique baths, water slides, and water playgrounds. All visitors are required to wear swimwear in this area.

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The Mori no Yu area is the calmer side of the theme park with saunas, lie-down baths, and quiet open-air baths with scenic views. In this area, visitors are allowed to go bare while enjoying the baths.

Get spooked at the Hakone yokai onsen

Don’t miss out on the chance to bath with the supernatural, as the yokai haunting of this Hakone onsen theme park only lasts until 30th September.

Address: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, 250-0407 Kanagawa
Opening hours: Yunessun area Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM | Sat & Sun 9AM-7PM
Mori No Yu area Mon-Fri 11AM-7PM | Sat & Sun 11AM-8PM
Admission: Tickets to access both areas retails at ¥3,500 (~USD32.01) for adults and ¥1,800 (~USD16.46) for children.
The Yunessun area-only ticket retails at ¥2,500 (~USD22.87) for adults and ¥1,400 (~USD12.81) for children.
The Mori No Yu area-only ticket retails at ¥1,500 (~USD13.72) for adults and ¥1,000 (~USD9.15) for children.
All visitors must make a reservation before arrival. More details can be found on their official website.
Telephone: 04-6082-4126
Website