Kinoya Hostel

The only downside was how thin the walls were. It got a bit noisy at night because of other guests. Otherwise, my husband and I loved this cute hostel for our two-night stay. It’s a traditional Japanese ryokan, and the rooms were perfect. Having a sink in the room was really convenient. The hosts were kind and helped us arrange a bath in the in-house onsen each day. It was lovely having the onsen right there, saved us a lot of time, and made for a great experience each night.

Getting around was the hard part. The hostel is right by a main road and Shin-fuji station, so the roadside rooms were quite loud at night. If you’re spending a while in Fuji without a car or taxi budget, it’s a long way from the main city. Fuji station is a 23-minute walk and the main CBD about 40 minutes. We had to drag our suitcases all the way there on our last day. It would’ve been convenient if we’d been using the Shinansen, since it’s right there, but we arrived by Shinkansens and left by JR. Still, Kinoya Hostel was a charming, welcoming Ryokan on both of my visits. I stayed with a friend each time, and we got to try two different rooms. The service was excellent, and I felt very welcome. I did laundry and drying for 400¥, and it was easy to book the onsen for a 50-minute slot on an hourly basis. There’s an incredible ramen bar five minutes up the street, and a family mart two minutes away in the other direction. Quiet jazz often played in the main lounge, and the beautiful yellow Nissan parked outside made the place feel warm.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Fuji station, and I really enjoyed my stay here. The traditional house and room had tatami, sliding doors, and a futon. The bathroom area is an onsen that you need to book, and there’s enough privacy if you’re international. The guy running the hostal was super nice and understanding.

The owners were patient when I worried that my kids might be too loud, and they made us feel right at home. The cozy place had a traditional feel, and they were very accommodating. I was there with my mom in a wheelchair and my three small kids, and we had lots of luggage. Seeing we had a lot going on, the owners walked us all the way to the station at the end. They were so kind, and I couldn’t thank them enough for their hospitality.