New Hakkeien

The hot spring was relaxing, and the food at this inn was delicious and high quality. My mom and I stayed one night, and the room, meals, and service felt worth every penny. You may have trouble communicating with the staff if you don't speak Japanese, but even so, I highly recommend the place.

The large onsen was a great place to unwind after a day out, and we had a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji from the property. Parking is free, too. Breakfast and dinner both had more variety and better quality than I expected, and the hotel was excellent value for money. One thing to budget for if you're traveling with children: the city adds a fee of 2,200 yen per child. I highly recommend this hotel for its comfort, amenities, and location.

The rooftop onsen was the best part for me, with lovely mountain views of Mt. Fuji at night and in the morning. Breakfast was good, traditional Japanese food, with no Western options. The freshly cooked dishes were nice, and I loved the handmade tofu and wasabi rice. I'd recommend adding breakfast to your stay. The hot springs and service were good as well. New Hakkeien has that old-fashioned Japanese Ryokan feel, which some traditionalists will enjoy, but it wasn't really my thing. It's geared toward older guests, with little for younger people to do, and the amenities felt more sub-par than great. The rooms are old and traditional, with low ceilings that can be awkward if you're tall. The biggest issue for me was the strong smoke smell, since there are no smoke-free rooms. The hotel should separate them. Closet handles were painfully tight for larger people, the windows had no screens, and the futon barely had any cushioning. At least the pillows were comfortable, with firm and soft adjustments. The tatami in my second room was dirty, and I had to ask for it to be wiped down. I chose the place for the nearby cable car up the mountain. There are some restaurants and snack bars around, plus a walkable 7/11. It was a good chance to experience a really old-style ryokan, but I need comforts like smoke-free rooms.

The traditional dinner our group had was great, and the breakfast buffet was amazing. Staying in a room with grass mat floors and paper doors made for an amazing experience.