Fuji Yamanakako Hotel

The view of Mount Fuji is a highlight, and the neighborhood is lovely. It’s a great place to try traditional living, with comfy futons instead of beds and natural hot springs.

The quiet around Lake Yamanaka made for a lovely break from busier tourist spots, and Mount Fuji views were easy to reach from this lakeside location. My room also looked out over the lake from its balcony, a peaceful way to start the day. The hotel is basic, but its old-fashioned charm suits the surroundings, and the futon was surprisingly comfortable. What stood out most was the personal welcome, likely from the owner, who made sure guests felt at home. They were on hand with suggestions for places to eat and visit, and their enthusiasm for the area added a lot to the stay. Service felt attentive throughout. For a simple traditional stay with a convenient lakeside setting, lovely views, and warm hospitality, I’d happily recommend it. I’d like to come back.

A nice place to stay away from the usual tourist spots, with beautiful scenery right by the lake. It’s quieter here, but there are a couple of restaurants and a 7/11 nearby. The bus from Tokyo and onward to Mishima stops close by, which made getting around easy. The rooms were clean and comfortable, though the place is a little dated. Staff were welcoming, and the ¥500 curry in the evening was handy since we hadn’t planned dinner. The main problem was noise from other guests. Rowdy tourists woke us around 3 am and were loud late into the night. I wish there had been required quiet hours like at some other ryokans.

Pierre went way beyond what I expected when I missed the check-in deadline at a nearby Glamping village. I was trying to work out where to stay for the night, but after hearing what happened, he offered to help even though I was willing to pay for a room. Since I don’t speak Japanese, he called the Glamping Village for me. When no one answered after a couple of tries, he drove me there himself and made sure I could check in. The staff were incredibly kind and treated me like family. I can’t say enough about how much that help meant. I booked this hotel for my next trip because of the experience. Highly recommend.