Ubuya Guest House

The private dining room and separate A5 wagyu shabu-shabu option made for a tasty, filling dinner, and breakfast had lots of buffet choices. We couldn’t book a room with a private bath, but Ubuya has both indoor and outdoor public onsens. We picked the hotel for its spacious rooms and views of Mt. Fuji, and stayed one night during our visit to lake kawaguchiko. We had a lovely anniversary there, too. The staff kindly gave us a bottle of wine. Shoutout to Hinari-san and Misa-san for being so hospitable!

The location is good, and the place itself is beautiful with a nice view of Mount Fuji. Breakfast had a great variety, and I was happy with it. Dinner was another story: it tasted quite bland and didn’t feel like good value for the price of the stay. I’ve paid less in other cities in Japan and had better quality and experiences. There are other nearby hotels that seem to offer a similar stay for less, or better value for the same money. When you pay more, you expect good quality across the service, and I felt this place still needs work.

The private onsen on our balcony was the best part of the room. We were lucky to have a clear view of Mount Fuji, and soaking while looking out at it felt magical. The room was spotless and huge, with everything we needed. It doesn’t look modern, but the sliding doors and tatami floor are part of the traditional Japanese house style. I’d have liked more tea options, but that’s minor. We didn’t use the public onsen, so I can’t speak to it. Dinner was delicious, served in a private dining room with our own host, and the Wagyu portions were generous. We had the tasting course for both nights, along with varied breakfasts and lots of choices, mostly Japanese dishes but still enough for different tastes. There are also plenty of places to relax around the hotel, and the lounge offers complimentary drinks and snacks in the afternoon. My boyfriend booked Ubuya as a 40th birthday gift to himself while we were in Japan, and I came along. After reading some reviews, I was worried, since we’re not millionaires and this trip meant a lot to us. For us, though, the stay was magical. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the hotel was amazing. I’d recommend Ubuya.

The cleaning choice at check-in was puzzling. We were asked to pick “no clean” or “light clean,” and chose the latter. I’m not sure what that covers, but for the price I expected the sheets to be changed or made up and the sink wiped. Neither happened, and our used glasses were still on the counter. Hopefully they review that policy. Still, we had a fantastic stay at Ubuya. The private onsen gave us unbelievable Mt Fuji views, the staff were great, and the food was amazing. We had two dinners and buffet breakfasts, with a good selection and impressive quality sashimi and fresh seafood. I’d gladly stay again.