Hotels near Kifune Shrine, Fujikawaguchiko

This is a decently nice, large ryokan-style hotel but it feels a bit old and shabby like a pre-bubble hotel which is past its glory days. The location was a lot more isolated than we were expecting, you really should have a car if you stay here as there is little in the immediate area and it's a decently long walk to the rest of town. I strongly disagree with the ”good for walkers” walkability rating that Tripadvisor gives it. The car does offer a free shuttle four times a day to Kawaguchiko station though which is nice. The rooms (at least the ones we stayed in) were ryokan style with tatami and futons. Both me and my companion found the futons very difficult to sleep in. I didn't get a good night's sleep any of my nights and woke up sore even after requesting an extra futon for support. The public onsen on the fourth floor was very nice and in my opinion quite large. Lastly, the WiFi ranged from terrible to passable. It would vary a bit from hour to hour but was often nearly unusable. This is not a ”bad” hotel by any means, just know what you're getting into. This place probably was more impressive back in the day but today feels slightly run down and not very modern.

We took the morning flight from Hong Kong to Haneda Airport. After finishing the luggage and entry procedures, we came to the high-speed bus next to the pick-up lobby to buy tickets. It was simple and convenient. It just picked up the first bus and went directly to Kawaguchiko. Before the bus departed, there was still time to have breakfast and wash. Go to the bus stop from the ticket purchase center and follow the next channel. You can also take the elevator or elevator to the underground bus stop according to the instructions. The bus will arrive. When you take the bus, you will see the data board clearly. If there is any error, you will not have to take the bus directly to Kawaguchiko Station. Come to Kawaguchiko, go to the end on the left hand side, see the tourist information, is the waiting station, all hotel buses are here to pick up guests, bus schedules are found on the hotel website; this station does not need to be reserved very convenient. The small bus arrived on time, the driver's service was very good, and he walked through the narrow street for several minutes to reach the hotel. In fact, the hotel is in a good location, near the intersection, and the surrounding bus stop is nearby without turning to Kawaguchiko. Walk along the main road, one end to the center of Shanghai, there are restaurants and supermarkets, the other end to the lake and the pool on the park, you can also see Mount Fuji at different angles, cross the road directly in front of the intersection and go straight to the section of the green line tour bus, walk slowly and reach Baqishan Park, Summer has a scent of lavender, autumn has red leaves, as well as art galleries, garden coffee seats, etc. The parkland is full of green grass like a hilly land, children and hairy children can run up and down, couples and elders sit on long fins to watch the sunset, lake view birds, freehand! Three-day stay, free breakfast and hot springs... Cheap, clean and spacious public space, I will visit next time, live here, continue to visit the unvisited attractions! 👍👍👍👍👍

Pros: 1. The room comfortably accommodated 3 adults, although the bathroom was a bit small even for one person. 2. The overall cleanliness of the hotel was satisfactory. 3. Breakfast met our expectations. 4. The onsen experience was enjoyable overall. 5. The hotel's location is convenient, being close to Lake Kawaguchiko. 6. Free parking area is near the hotel entrance. Cons: 1. We specifically booked a room with a ”mountain view” hoping to see Mount Fuji. Our room was on level 3. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find that our view only included the tip of the mountain, obstructed by buildings and electric cables. This was quite different from the picturesque view advertised on their website. Considering the high price of the room (SGD$800 per night for 3 persons), this was a huge disappointment. We strongly believe that the hotel should reconsider offering level 3 rooms as 'mountain view' rooms and reserve levels 4 and 5 for this category, as this feels like a misrepresentation. 2. Dinner was a huge letdown. We were served only 2 platters of meat (pork and beef) of average quality and 1 vegetable platter for Shabu Shabu. The selection was extremely limited. Although we were offered a Kaiseki Ryori (multi-course Japanese-style meal) for the next evening, there was an additional charge of over $3000+ yen per person for the upgrade. Despite the extra cost, this option seemed more appealing as we did not want to have the same Shabu Shabu two nights in a row.

For more general details about Fufu Kawaguchiko, please read my review from October 2020... We decided at the last minute to pay a visit to the Fuji Five Lakes area because the weather forecast called for a clear day (and hopefully a clear view of Mt. Fuji.) Thankfully, one room was available, and it was the exact same room as the one we stayed at the first time (Fufu Luxury Premium Suite, Room #408.) It's a top-floor corner suite with a separate bedroom/living room along with an expansive balcony and a free-flowing, open-air Onsen (natural hot springs) bath. As rooms go, it's pure bliss. Modern, tastefully furnished and decorated, bright and airy, and has all of the amenities and features one would expect when staying at a relatively new high-end property. We still feel that Fufu doesn't make the best use of its space - it's a bit busy, and consequently seems a bit less spacious than its specifications suggest (it's officially 136 square meters, although someone we can't help but feel that they're counting the balcony space as part of the overall room size.) It's really less of a ryokan and more of a hotel with ryokan-style elements. Shoes don't need to come off (although you're advised to do so in the guest rooms), they provide ”Samue” (sort of spa pajama/style) outfits rather than the traditional (and albeit more pretty but less comfortable) Yukatas, but still retain some of the common ryokan charms (and a few drawbacks.) The staff are relatively young, hip and ”pretty”, and more casually friendly than the typical traditional ryokan, which is good or bad, depending on your perspective. We enjoyed the high-energy vibe of the place, although we also do enjoy the finesse and quaintness that top traditional ryokans exhibit as well (Asaba is a perfect example of this.) The clientele are also more youthful than most other properties that we've stayed at - this is where the young, wealthy and beautiful go to see and be seen, that's for sure. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but just a FYI. Not much has changed from our last stay, although I will say that we enjoyed the food offering a bit more this time. We learned that they brought in a new head chef, and while it's not a night-and-day difference, we did notice a quality and creative improvement from last time. A few specialty dishes were once again served, including a unique cheese gratin with Natto (fermented soybeans that is slimy and has a pungent odor) for breakfast - we enjoyed the dish, but not sure how many Westerners can handle Natto, which is a very acquired taste. While we wish there was an option to have meals served in one's own room, we do think that Fufu needs to have more ”ko****su” private dining rooms in the restaurant. They only have a handful of them, and priority goes to large groups or families with small children. When we go to a high-end ryokan, we prefer not to dine in an open, restaurant-style environment. We requested a Ko****su in advance, and were only told we wo

I stayed in a room with a hot spring bath on the Mt. Fuji side of the East Building. Blessed with the weather, I took a long view of Mt. Fuji from the evening to the next morning and soaked in the hot springs many times. (Laughs) The quality of the Kawaguchiko Onsen at this hotel is a neutral calcium, sodium-sulphate, and chlorine-based disinfection is heated and circulated, including a large communal bath and a private room bath. It is not a source hanging, but it is well managed including the spring temperature. It warmed up well. It seems to be a room meal, but I stayed at 々 at the end of the year 12/29 night, probably because there were many guests, in the dining room on the 7th floor, dinner was a course kaiseki dish, breakfast was a buffet. The beef stew that I expected was also served on the course because the amount was small, but it felt like a taste. Each was carefully cooked in a small amount, and the quality and quantity were satisfactory. I stayed until 11:00 in the morning, and I took a bath 5 times in another 々 large communal bath once, 3 times in the room bath. In addition, the large communal bath has a waterfall and an open-air rock bath in the foreground, and a large cypress bath in the back. I think the impression will change depending on the way Mt. Fuji looks, but I was lucky 々. Since it is the year-end and New Year holidays, the high accommodation fee is natural, but it was a satisfying content for the room, meal, bath, service, and environment that matched it.

We stayed in La Vista, top level facing MtFuji with private bath in the room for 2 nights. Like: You can take as much pictures at any part of the day/night and never get sick of the magnificent sight of MtFuji. For breakfast, we had buffets, western, Japanese style For dinner, we had Western wagyu beef slice course on first night and Japanese omakase in the second night. Both sets were very filling and taste great although I would have like it if the wagyu was steak..ha. I definitely preferred the omakase where there were cold dishes, sashimi, sukiyaki, tempura and top off with desserts. There were many free services; popsicle in many flavours you can eat after coming out from the public/private baths, free beverages, ie. caffeine, tea from the first level outside the reception. Dislike: The toilet bowl is in a separate room near the entrance of the room and the standing bath with private heart shape tub is in another facing MtFuji

This hotel has 3 blocks as it is set into a hill. The first block contains the lobby, then at the 5th floor you connect to the middle block (which faces Fuji directly) and contains rooms on the 6-7th floors. It also contains the bathing area with an outdoor view of Mount Fuji. From the middle block, the 8th floor connects to the last block which contains levels 8-10. This block has a view of Fuji but you have to look out your window at a slant. Rooms are run down and hotel looks like it was stuck in the 1970s. Curtains are stained, walls have marks, corridor walls are stucco. Shoji screens in room have torn paper. Sink looks dirty. Wood surfaces are worn. The finishings in the room could certainly use some refurbishment and love. However it is decently clean and I was still comfortable for my stay. Food was a good spread and tasty. I was treated to fireworks over the lake which was visible from the room. The hotel staff (front desk, dinner staff) all made it a point to mention the event and where to view it from, which I appreciate.

Highly recommend this hotel to anyone who loves to enjoy Fuji view and onsen. The complementary entry to next door onsen connected by a walkway is super cool. Can see Mount Fuji from breakfast restaurant at 4th floor and onsen on a clear day. Breakfast is good. Also loved the shower with massage water jets from the sides in hotel room. But the beds and mattress feel sort of aged, maybe need to be changed.

Second visit. Mt. Fuji is clear in winter. In the morning, I went to the illumination square in front of the restaurant because it was Akafuji before sunrise. From the right end to red purple, when the sunrise started at about 1 ／ 3, I returned to the magnificent Fuji, but the sunrise on the left, the full moon on the upper right, and Mt. Fuji in the middle. I have to see this. Under the sunrise is the sea of clouds in Lake Yamanaka. The view that there is everything to see. Since there are many families, the rooms are large and you can see Lake Yamanaka and Mt. Fuji from all rooms. The bath is on the 2nd floor with B1 and the mountain trail is clear from the observation bath. You should see people in the season. It is a good hotel that is calm.

Marriott staff welcomed us at the curb side. Check in was painless and soon we were off to our room. In room hot springs was a pleasant touch. The room was spacious and very comfortable. Even the Japanese pillows were soft and cozy. The food was top notch and catered to every taste. We opted for the dinner package—well worth the money. After dinner we rang for a late night massage…should have rethought that one. Asked for two therapist and got one. She had no clue what a massage was! Seriously!!! She literally poked at me with her finger tips. The pushed my head agains the pillow for ten minutes. Finally was had enough and she was dismissed with her full pay. Noted, she was not affiliated with the hotel, she was merely the lady they called. Please never call her again! Loved the hotel and the view. A must for anyone wanting a quiet getaway.