Resort inn Sakanoshita

We added an extra night because of the rain, and that turned out to be a great call. The weather gave us a chance to take awesome pictures of Mount Fuji and visit a bunch of spots. The Owner speaks good English and shared really helpful information about the region. The service was very good and friendly. I'd come back if I wanted to visit Fuji again.

The dinner was simple rather than fancy, but the home-style cooking was delicious. When booking, you can choose Japanese or Western food. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary, so I asked in advance for a cake. They happily arranged it and served it after dinner with candles. There were about 10 students staying there, and the place reminded me of a similar lodging from a university club training camp I once attended. The shared toilet and bathroom were a bit of a hassle, though that's understandable. The rooms are spacious enough for a family. I've stayed here a few times with foreign guests too. The bath is about two and a half times the size of a home bathtub, so it won't fit many people, but it's a luxurious soak on your own. It's an artificial hot spring, and you feel very warm afterward. The very kind father and mother who run the hostel were lovely and seemed happy to accommodate requests. The price was reasonable, and I had a relaxing stay.

My brother and I booked two nights, but we ended up staying an extra one because the owner advised us that the weather would improve. The first day looked rainy, and although it was meant to be our departure day, the inn wasn't too full in April, so he let us stay. We paid for the extra night in cash and spent the wet day taking the train one stop back to the amusement park, which has a Naruto village and a restaurant. The next day, we got an almost cloudless view of Mount Fuji. Without the owner, we wouldn't have experienced Fuji the way we did. Getting there was a bit of a trek. The streets in Kawaguchiko aren't really made for long walks, so we had to walk from the train station. We arrived just as the owner pulled up in his car. He welcomed us warmly and apologized for having been away briefly, though we told him we'd only just arrived ourselves. He then showed us our traditional tatami room, with two large mats for sleeping, a small table, and a little balcony. It didn't have a Mount Fuji view, but we sorted that out later that day. THANK YOU!

We used the place for a training camp, and it was great having access to facilities like a gymnasium, even though it takes a short walk to get there. It gives you a lot of freedom.