News

KUON Hakone Gora has been selected for the shortlist of the top 6 projects from worldwide entries in the HOTEL category of the international design awards, FRAME Awards 2026.

Through meticulous consideration and refinement down to the smallest detail, Kenta Nagai, representative of negu inc., designed the spaces of KUON Hakone Gora to create a new value: an “inner richness” that leaves a deep impression on guests.

With “tranquillity” and “the sheltered intimacy of a hideaway” as its themes, the design envisions an Eastern-inspired setting removed from everyday life. A low visual perspective creates a sense of being enveloped by the earth. The spaces have been designed through a careful interpretation of interpersonal distance and the relationships involved in hospitality. Soft lighting near floor level creates an immersive atmosphere through light and shadow. Natural materials such as wood, stone and plaster were selected for the new additions, bringing stillness and peace through their tactile qualities and textures.

Within the constraints of the existing structure and site conditions, the design created new value and experiences unique to this hotel. We offer a stay beyond the everyday, where guests can savour the space itself.

About FRAME Awards
FRAME Awards is an international design awards programme organised by FRAME, the Netherlands-based global interior design media platform. It aims to honour outstanding projects that open up “the future of spaces.” Projects are assessed from multiple perspectives across 4 criteria: “innovation,” “sustainability,” “well-being” and “functionality.” Recognising both physical beauty and design’s contribution to society, it is one of the world’s most trusted awards.

・Learn more about the FRAME Awards shortlist (English website)
https://frameweb.com/article/frame-awards/these-are-the-spaces-shaping-design-in-2026-meet-the-frame-awards-shortlist

・Learn more about the February 2026 Winner of the month (English website)
https://frameweb.com/article/frame-awards/februarys-awards-winner-finds-resilience-in-tradition-building-a-home-thats-entirely-off-grid

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KUON Hakone Gora is featured in “100 Dream Hotels in Japan to Visit Now [2027 Edition]” (Asahi Shimbun Publications).
Publication date: October 21, 2026
https://publications.asahi.com/product/26221.html

KÚON 箱根強羅 will celebrate its 1-year anniversary on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
In gratitude for the many guests we have welcomed, we have opened bookings for a special “1-Year Anniversary Package.”
Enjoy a special stay in a space that brings together the rich natural surroundings of Hakone Gora and refined design.

“1-Year Anniversary Package” Overview
・Package name: [1-Year Anniversary · Dinner and Breakfast Included] Champagne and a Special Gift / “Kaen” (菓演) Tea and Japanese Sweets, Creative French Cuisine & Pairing
・Sales launch: Rolling availability from Friday, October 16, 2026
・Eligible stay period: Sunday, November 1, 2026–Sunday, December 27, 2026
・Package benefits:
1. A half-bottle of champagne provided in your room
2. A gift of APOTHEKE FRAGRANCE incense with a scent reminiscent of white tea


～A Special 1-Year Anniversary Gift: About APOTHEKE FRAGRANCE “White Tea” Incense～

Bamboo-stick incense, each stick carefully made by hand-dipping. “White Tea” is an oriental, subtly sweet fragrance inspired by resort spas in Southeast Asia. It blends fresh citrus notes of mandarin and bergamot with floral notes such as jasmine and ylang-ylang, spicy notes such as thyme and ginger, and a base of earthy sandalwood and patchouli.

When you light the incense in your everyday surroundings, the exotic scent of white tea gently rises as the smoke slowly spreads. Also used at the reception of KÚON 箱根強羅, this incense evokes memories of relaxation and lets you pleasantly linger in the afterglow of your trip.


Press Release
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001054.000024241.html

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We have been serving our autumn dinner course, which brings together scenes of the harvest season and seasonal delicacies on every plate, since September 1, 2026.

Delicate dishes inspired by autumn scenery and carefully selected seasonal ingredients create a French dinner through which you can savor the deepening flavors of autumn.


Press release

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001039.000024241.html


・木の葉時雨 紅葉鳥
　Venison and chestnut-kinton nerikiri

・秋薫る 藁 堅魚
　Straw-seared bonito with marinated Izu shiitake

・奥山 紅差す
　Free-range chicken rillette in a kintsuba style

・葉月潮 茜雲
　Spiny lobster, Japanese beef and Atami Island Ruby tomato consommé

・新米焔焼
　Skewered porcini risotto

・秋日和 香り漂う
　Teriyaki black cod, taro terrine and salted sake-lees espuma

・小夜 月の影
　Kosui Japanese pear purée with sake jelly

・末枯れ野 白き夢
　Shizuoka black wagyu braised in oolong tea

・秋色巻鮨
　Hand-rolled sushi with seared Mt. Fuji salmon and clam clear soup

・桃蜜 玉露
　White-peach water manju with gyokuro

・錦秋百花
　Yugawara-lemon cassata with bitter-chocolate sauce

Ingredients may change without notice depending on availability.

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At KUON Hakone Gora's Tea lounge & BAR, we offer a range of services to create a special day.


‘Tea lounge’
We offer carefully selected tea leaves and wagashi from around Japan.

[Small works of art: higashi sweets]
Higashi sweets reflecting flowers and seasonal scenery have the beauty of small works of art. The budding of early spring and the falling leaves of late autumn are expressed in each small sweet. Their delicate melt-in-the-mouth texture and the deep sweetness of the ingredients can be enjoyed with all five senses.

[Selected teas from around Japan]
We carefully source distinguished teas from throughout Japan to enhance the taste of higashi. Delicate sweetness harmonizes with the astringency and freshness of tea; fragrant, clean teas pair beautifully with crisp, rich higashi. Please enjoy a relaxing tea time that resonates with all five senses.



‘BAR’
As night falls, the tea lounge changes into a bar with a Japanese atmosphere.

At the BAR, original tea cocktails that draw out the charm of tea and wagashi to conclude the day add graceful color to both a quiet night alone and conversation with someone special.

We offer deep-steamed-tea infusion (deep-steamed tea, vodka and lime), a gyokuro cocktail (gyokuro liqueur), the wagashi ‘Summer Dream’ (milk kuzuneri with honey-lemon sauce), as well as beer, gin, whisky and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Please enjoy the lingering atmosphere of a special night to your heart’s content.


[Hours] From check-in until check-out (BAR until 22:00).

KUON Hakone Gora was featured in Tarzan, August 27, 2026 issue (on sale August 6, 2026).

“10 retreat hotels that care for the autonomic nervous system.”

https://magazineworld.jp/tarzan/tarzan-931/

KUON Hakone Gora was featured in ELLE DECOR.

“Designing silence: 10 tasteful hotels that free the mind.”

https://www.elle.com/jp/decor/decor-architecture/g71368740/noise-cancellation-hotels-2606/