Hakone's Ichinoyu Inn Revives Car Overnight Plan for Beginners

The inn 'Ichinoyu' in Hakone has resumed a plan for beginners who want to sleep in their car on its parking lot. The cost is 5500 yen per vehicle on weekdays, including unlimited use of hot springs and 24-hour restroom access. The plan was suspended after the pandemic but revived due to high demand.

The 'Ichinoyu' hotel chain in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, will resume its 'Car Sleeping for Beginners' program at the Sengokuhara Shina no Ki Ichinoyu parking lot from June 10 to September 30. Originally launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was suspended after the situation normalized but is now reinstated due to customer demand. The cost is 5,500 yen per car on weekdays (not per person), including unlimited access to hot springs and 24-hour toilets. Optional extras include portable battery rental (1,100 yen) and lobby drinks (1,100 yen per person). The company cites high demand for car sleeping amid rising travel costs and insufficient parking infrastructure in the Sengokuhara area. Only one car per day on weekdays, with size restrictions (length up to 5 m, width up to 2 m).

Ichinoyu, operator of hot spring inns in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, has resumed its 'beginner car camping plan' at the Sengokuhara Shinagi Ichinoyu parking lot. The plan runs from June 10 to September 30 on weekdays, limited to one vehicle per day. The fee is 5,500 yen per car (tax included), which for two occupants equals 2,750 yen per person. It includes unlimited access to the hot spring bath, toilets, towels, and a microwave. Optional services include portable power bank rental for 1,100 yen, paid drinks, sauna, and room accommodation. The plan was first launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and was popular, but was suspended after the situation stabilized. The revival responds to customer demand and a lack of overnight parking infrastructure in the Sengokuhara area. The company describes the parking lot as a 'hot spring on the road' (michi-no-yu). Vehicles longer than 5 meters or wider than 2 meters are not allowed.

Ichinoyu in Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture) will resume its car sleeping plan for beginners from June 10 to September 30. Price starts at 5,500 yen per vehicle per night. The plan was suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes unlimited access to hot springs, 24-hour restroom, and microwave. Limited to one vehicle per day on weekdays.