Gora Kadan Fuji

Mount Fuji was an overwhelming sight up close. I used to wonder why people were so fascinated by it, but seeing it in person, huge and towering over everything nearby, was humbling. The views from this luxurious retreat are unobstructed. The rooms are clean and have a quiet sense of luxury. Both the private indoor and outdoor onsen are must-tries. I averaged well over 10,000 steps a day for two weeks, and the spa was soothing. Anna did a fantastic job, and I nodded off a few times. Service from the staff was impeccable, including the shuttle drivers, who deserve a big thank you. Someone at the hotel can seamlessly help plan the day, from breakfast and dinner to spa bookings and shuttles. Special thanks to Kenta for a fantastic meal. We all had fun and laughed over one of the more adventurous dishes, tartare de cheval. We even ran into Kenta at Gotemba station on his day off, and he still greeted us and helped us.

Our room had a private garden and an onsen, and the whole place felt completely peaceful. Even the smell of pine or wood, I'm not sure which, stayed with me. The food was incredible, almost Michelin level, and the golf course was unbelievable. We came mainly to play golf and had no idea what we were in for at the hotel. The property manager seemed to be everywhere, welcoming us, handling check-in, checking on dinner and even our room. It was clear she cared about every detail. She told us to go outside and watch Mt. Fuji glowing at night, and we did. The sunset over Mount Fuji is etched in my memory. It looked so unreal that I thought, if there's an afterlife, I hope it has a view like this. Sitting with matcha as the sun went down was hard to top. It was worth every cent, though I'm sad to leave Gora Kadan Fuji.

The building is only six months old, and every corner seemed carefully designed to bring in Mt Fuji and the light. I'd love to know who the architect was. The room was stunning, and the onsen and public areas were unreal. As a Relais & Châteaux member, Gora Kadan Fuji had a lot to live up to, and the service was great. We ate at both the Teppanyaki and kappo restaurants, and the food was great. If your suite has a living room, I'd also recommend breakfast in the room. It's unusual for an onsen hotel to have a full 25m pool and a gym, which makes this place especially distinctive. I'd recommend it to people who expect the best.

We wanted to finish our trip with a relaxing, luxurious ryokan stay, and Gora Kadan Fuji exceeded our expectations. Its value is incredible, the facilities are outstanding, and the staff notice every detail. Each meal is served in courses across three restaurants, sushi, teppanyaki, and kaiseki, with Michelin-star chefs putting an innovative spin on traditional Japanese cuisine. A couple of practical things: it had only been open three months, so communication could be a little slow. Don't panic if it happens, it's worth it. As a traditional ryokan, it serves substantial breakfast and dinner each day. For snacks between meals, the clubhouse is a short walk away, or the hotel will shuttle you there. The spa was fantastic, and the private bath was a highlight we hadn't known we needed. It's not something we usually experience in the States, which made it feel especially unique. Thanks to Rai, our room host, for the thoughtful service and little gifts that made the stay more memorable. Most rooms have Mt. Fuji views, and we were lucky enough to see it. Book while you can, I think this place will soon be on every top list.