🌟 Taking my kids and elderly parents to see Mt. Fuji and enjoy hot springs was an amazing experience at Fuji Lake Hotel in Kawaguchiko, far exceeding my expectations.
[Smiling face][Grinning face] We visited during summer with my kids and two 80-year-old parents. Since my parents can't walk much, we decided to visit Lake Fuji and downtown Tokyo. Considering the multiple transfers involved with taking a train and bus from Narita Airport, we opted for a private car. On a weekday, traffic wasn't too bad, taking about 2.5 hours. We drove through downtown Tokyo, enjoyed the scenery, and even stopped at a rest area. However, private car rentals here are quite expensive.
[Smiling face][Grinning face] We chose Fuji Lake Hotel, located right by Lake Kawaguchiko, offering fantastic views. Opened in 1971 and renovated in 1990, the hotel is older than me, but the facilities are incredibly well-maintained; you'd never guess its age. It's about 1000 meters from Kawaguchiko Station and only 400 meters from the ropeway station and boat pier.
[Smiling face][Grinning face] The hotel is divided into East and West wings, with spacious rooms. If you're used to small rooms in Tokyo, you'll find these very comfortable, with plenty of space to open your luggage. We chose a package with breakfast and dinner. Dinner is a buffet with a wide variety of options, including wagyu beef, sashimi, tempura, and all-you-can-drink beverages. For breakfast, you can choose between Japanese and Western styles, both very satisfying. Both meals are served in a restaurant with beautiful views – you can sit by the window to see either the lake or the mountains. The wagyu beef teppanyaki, cooked fresh, was incredibly tender and fragrant.
[Smiling face][Grinning face] Let me specifically talk about the hot springs. The public bathhouse has both indoor and outdoor baths, as well as semi-outdoor ones. It's clean and tidy, with massage chairs at the entrance for relaxation, though the public bath doesn't offer views of Mt. Fuji. Upon check-in, we were asked to choose our yukata and towels, which came in an eco-friendly bag, making for a very comfortable soak after a day of sightseeing.
[Smiling face] The real highlight is the private onsen. There are private baths that can be reserved; those in the East Wing face Mt. Fuji, while those in the West Wing face Lake Kawaguchiko. Prices and sizes vary slightly. Some rooms with open-air baths also offer mountain views. On a clear day, soaking while watching the morning light on the snow-capped peak is a wonderful experience.
If you want a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji, remember to go to the observation deck on the 7th floor of the East Wing in the morning for an expansive view. The facilities aren't brand new but are kept very clean, and the service is meticulous and thoughtful. There's a significant price difference between weekdays and weekends, and booking early also secures a better rate, making it good value for money if you get it. Also, there's no snow on Mt. Fuji during the summer; it's only visible about 80 days a year, mostly in the mornings before clouds obscure it around noon.
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