Pension Jamoo

The meals are a great option for vegetarians and vegans. I was traveling with someone who eats vegan, and breakfast and dinner both had lots of different things to try. I enjoyed the flavors, the generous portions, and the lovely presentation. Contact the host before arriving about meals, then pay the extra cost there. The shared dining room is calm and comfortable. We walked about 20 minutes downhill to the lake, where there are an antique shop and a bicycle rental shop. The people working at both were pleasant, and we enjoyed cycling around the nearby town. Sadly, clouds hid Fuji during our visit. The property and its owners were wonderful. They arranged to pick us up at the bus stop because we arrived in the evening. My partner and I only know a few Japanese phrases so far, but the owners made us feel welcome and patiently explained the room, amenities, and meals. They also know the area well and are available to share information.

We had a lovely stay. The owners were so sweet and helpful. We needed a taxi to the station with our luggage, and it was about a 40-minute walk away, so they offered to drive us. Breakfast was delicious and vegetarian.

At night, from around 9 PM onward, the quiet was so calming. With the screened window open, I could hear gentle crickets and other insects outside. The building also uses natural materials, including real wood floors and diatomaceous earth walls, and the air felt fresh indoors and out. The soap, shampoo, and conditioner in the ofuro were natural products and worked well for my sensitive skin. The female host prepared excellent vegan food with lots of subtle flavors. Some of it had a French influence, which is hard to find in Japan, at least in my experience. I was grateful for those meals as a vegan, and I think non-vegans would enjoy them too. Both hosts, who own this pension, were helpful about arranging convenient times for breakfast, dinner, and the ofuro. My room was clean, with a very comfortable bed and a casual sofa. There are many trees in the yard and around the property. The male host showed me a trailhead on Google Maps for a lovely trail that takes about 15 to 20 minutes to a lookout with a wonderful view of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanaka. I had a wonderful stay at jamoo and would enthusiastically recommend it for a healthy, relaxing visit to Yamanakako.

The owners were welcoming and very helpful, and the room was clean and comfortable. Meals were delicious, and we'd suggest trying both breakfast and dinner. The location is nice, though a little remote, which is part of its charm.