Fuji no Hoshizora FJ Forest

We already want to come back! The Pet version villa we stayed in was beautiful, and it was the only option for our dates. We loved the toilet and small outdoor onsen, though a huge spider startled me one night while I was soaking quietly. That's how close you are to nature. The kitchen was clean and very well equipped, with tea and coffee provided, and the hotpot was there too. We didn't get around to making Shabu Shabu. Our favorite supermarket was only a 5 minute drive away, and now I wish we'd had a BBQ or Shabu Shabu under the stars. The bed and duvet were really comfortable. My little boy slept on the futon and didn't complain, but it probably won't suit you if you're not used to sleeping on tatami the Japanese way. I only wish there were more pillows. The staff were kind and friendly from the moment we pulled into the driveway. The free flow ice cream was a huge hit, and my 4 year old cried as we drove away because he was sad to leave. A few things could make the stay even better: hooks in the living room for coats, jackets, and bags, blackout curtains in the bedrooms for early sunrises, and a lobby open to hotel guests 24/7 for laundry, condiments, or ice cream on a hot night.

The new accommodation looks impressive, and the kitchen is very well equipped. We liked the cozy living room, a nice place to gather after a day of sightseeing. The kids loved the free ice cream, and you can also take complimentary condiments back to your room for cooking. Staff were friendly and did their best to explain the rules at check-in. Our main issue was how tight the bedrooms felt, especially the one with a queen bed. It was difficult to open our luggage. Some units allow pets, and dogs are welcome.

We stayed in October, and the weather was perfect for the open air bathing area. One rainy day made everything feel especially peaceful, and we didn't see a single bug. The private homes were lovely and very quiet. Staff treated us with warmth and kindness, almost like family, and the experience is one I'll talk about for years. It's an amazing spot, just a short jaunt from a lovely town near Mt. Fuji. A few things for fellow travelers: fill the outdoor bath to about 80% with water at 44c, then set it to 55c and add more water as needed. At 60c it'll burn you. The Pagoda was awesome. There's a 7/11 and a supermarket 5 minutes away, and the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway is super cool. CAFETINO MT.FUJI COFFEE SHOP was a 10/10 breakfast. For the property, I'd suggest adding another set of western style pillows, since Japanese bead pillows aren't my favorite and more back support options are always useful. A dedicated small stool in the bathing area would help, as we used the shower one. The bathing area's water scoop was awful, with a bad handle and a hole in it. It would be good to have a change of sheets, twice as many towels or at least hand rags, and a small shoe or slipper rack at the front door. The one on the back porch wasn't obvious or convenient. Translation stickers on the hot water controls or an English instruction sheet would help too, since the controls were confusing at first. A curtain would also be useful for the large second floor window. I'd give the stay 9.4 / 10.

We loved staying here on our trip to Mount.Fuji. There's everything you need for a trip with friends or family, and we enjoyed the amenities, including free ice cream. We cooked nabe and had hanabi too. You can find fireworks here, sold at reception. Really recommended.