Koraku Onyado Fuji-ginrei

The free pick-up from the bus station was handy, just call when you arrive. There’s also a morning shuttle each day, which you can reserve in the lobby. Breakfast is included, and dinner costs 5,000 yen per person and is very filling. Our Japanese-style room was clean, spacious, cozy, and nicely lit. The room had a Mount Fuji view, though another mountain partly blocked the left side. It still looked beautiful with the lake. The indoor and 8th-floor outdoor onsens had great Fuji views. They’re open 5:00-9:30 and 15:00-24:00. I went at 20:30 and 8:00 AM, and they were nearly empty. I felt shy and a little unsure at first, but it turned out to be comfortable. The short-haired woman at reception, probably the owner, was very warm. She asked Yao, a Chinese staff member from the restaurant, to explain things clearly. Yao was patient, attentive, and keen to help, and took good care of guests whenever we saw him at the restaurant. He was really friendly and offered help in Chinese, too!

We had a lovely stay in a beautiful location, with views of the lake and the best view of Mount Fuji. The rooms were lovely, and they gave us a kimono to wear during the stay, which has to be returned. They included transport into the nearby town, about five minutes away, and kindly drove us to the station after checkout. The rooftop outdoor onsen was incredible, with a great view and atmosphere, though the water felt a little too hot to me. Staff were very kind. Dinner was traditional Japanese food, a nice selection of many courses, and really good. Breakfast was traditional too, so you’ll enjoy it if that’s your thing.

The outdoor hot spring was amazing, and the hotel offered good value. Service was good, though it varied a bit depending on which staff member you encountered. I chose it for the view over Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. The room was a decent size, if a little dated. There are lots of hotels around, including some that are more popular, but this one is good value.

The meals were generous and delicious, and the staff took great care of us. I especially liked the outdoor onsen, where you can soak while looking out at Mount Fuji. Getting around takes a little planning: Lawson is about a 10-minute walk, and there’s a bike rental shop nearby that charges 2,800 yen per day. Restaurants in the area close in the afternoon, so reserve dinner at the hotel. The hotel can also shuttle you to the station, but you need to ask the information desk for a ride.