Kikusuitei

In winter mornings, Mount Fuji's beautiful outline can be seen across the lake, which gave me a lucky feeling, as if my hopes might come true in the future. The Chinese restaurant and ryokan is a six-story building beside a reservoir and near a children's amusement park. The rooms are clean and have enough space. The food is Chinese cuisine, served by older employees, so don't expect fast service.

The surrounding area is beautiful, and our room and dinner were very nice. We stayed at the hotel on November 2. But if you don't speak Japanese, communicating with staff and reading the room instructions will be very difficult. For the price, I don't think the hotel meets international standards, and it could use a restyling.

The lake view is magnificent, and there's a lovely restaurant on the top floor with even better views. Shops and an amusement park are handy, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.

A friendly family-run local specialty shop selling soy sauce, eggs, miso, and umeboshi.