Hotel berhampiran Rusugaiwa (Rusu Rock), Fujikawaguchiko

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

We decided and booked our Tokyo travel a week before flying so we didn’t have the luxury of choices. Fuji Lake Hotel had a room available so we went for it. We spent 3 nights there. The hotel looks dated and we read its history as being one of the earliest built at Lake Kawaguchiko. Our room was spacious and faced the lake. After spending three days there we didn’t feel like we missed Mt Fuji view as we saw it throughout the day. I recommend going to the dining room early and get the counter seats facing Fuji San. The view of the lake is also great as the dining room is on 7th Fl and has panoramic window view. We walked around the lake and took in the view from various perspectives. There are many hotels all around the lake and we reckon that the hotels located across Fuji Lake hotel would offer a much more picturesque view of Mt Fuji, though a bit distant. Imagine a view with the lake in foreground and Mt Fuji in background. While our hotel has a closer view the buildings in the foreground somewhat spoiled the overall view. Well one can’t have everything! We enjoyed our stay and will revisit Kawaguchiko but will choose a different hotel for a change. In terms of location Fuji Lake has little to offer compared to the Momiji Corridor area where there are more touristy attractions and restaurants. The nice part of Fuji Lake is the hotel is built right on the lake unlike others which are separated from the lake by the main road.

We enjoyed the gorgeous fuji view from the room which was exactly the same as the photo we saw online. The hotel provided free warm packs and snacks in the lobby which was caring. There were also welcoming snacks in the room. However, as far as we know, the hotel provides free shuttle service to/from Kawaguchiko station but it was disappointing that there were no way to book online. I tried to contact the hotel directly via email but received no response from them. Eventually, we took a bus from Kawaguchiko station and walked up the hill with our luggages, which was very inconvenient. Besides, the dinner style/menu was only available at dinner time so we couldn’t take it into consideration when we decided the date of our stay. Other than the above, the overall experience was nice with high CP value.

This is the second time staying in Fuji Ginkei, while the first time was in 2017. The reason I chose it when I went to Kawaguchiko the second time was the perfect location, service, and food when I stayed in 2017. First, I should thank the hotel staff. As you might know, it is tough for solo travelers to book a Ryokan room. As a search around the hotel list, which I think is perfect for the stay, Fuji Ginkei is one of a few hotels which said OK. I appreciate it. The location is perfect as you can see the lake and mountain simultaneously. For Kawaguchiko, only a few hotels have this kind of view. When you arrive at the Kawaguchiko station, don't forget to call them, and they will pick you up. However, when you live, if you want to take their shuttle bus, you need to check their shuttle bus schedule. I choose the Japanese-style room which a balcony since I want to take many photos from my room. It is worth it as the view from the room is perfect. I can stay in the room and watch Mount Fuji all afternoon. It even has an individual bathroom in the room, which is kind of rare. If you stay in the hotel in Winter, don't forget to use the outdoor onsen. It will be freezing to get in and out, but it is worth it as you will see a very clear sky and many stars when using the outdoor onsen. You will never forget it. Moreover, don't forget to go lakeside, which is only a few meters away. You can take perfect photos of the lake, Mount Fuji and the stars. It is impressive. Service is as good as before, which you can imagine. When you are having breakfast and dinner, the staff will talk with you, introducing the dish and telling you much exciting and helpful information. For once, I was discussing さかさふじ with them and really learned a lot. The dish is good. As I stayed for two nights, I think the first night's dinner was better than the second. For breakfast, I don't have too many things to say. Overall, the dish tasted good but not as impressive as in 2017, maybe because I tried some Michelin during these years, which increased my standard. Overall, it is an excellent hotel, and the price is not that high compared to other hotels around Kawaguchiko. Once again, is it worthy.

The location of the hotel is fantastic for sunset viewing. There is plenty of parking across the road, with a surfeit of basically unnecessary staff. We had a reasonable-sized room with large windows and a wonderful panorama of the lake and Mount Fuji. That's all that's positive. The hotel is in two parts: the original building and an annexe. It is NOT suitable for wheelchair users trying to get to a restaurant. There are too many steps, twists and turns. There are lifts to find rooms in part A or part B, and the locations of the onsens (which switch between male and female every day - nice views, though). The signage is rare and confusing. As a stocky European (100Kg), I had immense difficulty sleeping on a very thin futon. The electric heater in the room blasts an unhealthy stream of hot air. Switch off this health risk and you FREEZE (we were there in late October). The hotel is relatively expensive, so you'd expect quality rooms. What you get is the uniform Japanese army-style sp****, goose**** green-walled room that you'd find in business hotels at half the room rate of this laughingly named 'NEW CENTURY' place. Minimalist, to say the least (in reality, pinched, lacking in generosity and well-being). At least there was a fridge (with a freezer icebox!!) In a series of measures as a response to the risks of COVID, there were no real glasses - just paper cups, and a message asking you to close the toilet lid before flushing. Disappointingly, the toilet was untypically low quality - no little hand-washing basin and fountain on the top of the toilet, and thus no towel in the toilet itself. (So, mucky hands grasping two sets of door handles to wash your hands. How's that for customary Japanese hygiene?) We (a group of 13 people - I was the only gaijin...) had booked an evening meal, room and breakfast the next morning. Dinner? Again, for the price, you'd expect a nice piece of fish (probably from the lake) right? NO way. We got a few bits of sukiyaki, and mean little dishes with bits and pieces of this and that... I've eaten MUCH better food in izakayas and bars throughout Japan. My opinion was echoed by most of our party. Breakfast was below ordinary. Simple, plain, dull. Something to dispense with quickly. Taking fuel on board, that's all. The service in the restaurant was desultory (= awful, ungracious). During dinner, a stocky old lady granted me the opportunity to be bumped TWICE by her capacious bottom as she served the person next to me. I complained and pushed back, to the accompaniment of giggles from her lithe, unobtrusive colleagues. Mercifully I was spared any further encounter with this voluminous rear end at breakfast. The staff at breakfast time were a) limited in number b) slow and c) VERY detached. One had the feeling they were cleaning staff put into waiting uniforms. Per person, we paid over 13,000 yen. Frankly, an outrageous price. The ONLY benefit was the view. For that, you don't need a hotel room. A bus tour will

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.

Sarapan pagi adalah bufet biasa. Terdapat kopi, susu, teh, jus segar, dan pelbagai jenis roti. Terutamanya makanan Barat, daging, telur, ikan, dan pelbagai sayur-sayuran dan buah-buahan. Lokasi hotel masih terasa agak menyusahkan bagi pelancong yang tidak memandu. Di hadapan hotel adalah Fuji-Q Highland, di mana terdapat perhentian bas yang menghubungkan pelbagai tarikan Tasik Kawaguchi, Tasik Yamanaka, Tasik Barat dan Stesen Kawaguchiko. Terdapat tiket satu hari dan dua hari untuk stesen. Stesen ini mempunyai aksara Cina.

The hotel was so clean, the service by the concierge was so friendly and approachable. Helped us to push and carry our luggage till our room door. The convenience stalls nearby made breakfast and supper a perfect go to! It was a good stay nearby the onsen which has free access for staying guests! The carpark was just located downstairs that you could also see your car! Love the visit! And will want to come back again!

This was one of the nicest trips i’ve had in Japan so far. I got a room that had a view of Mount Fuji, was amazing to look at in the morning. The hotel has an old style which has been well preserved and is relatively clean, and a nice bathhouse with a small outdoor hotspring area with a direct view of Fujisan. There is nature all around in the form of hiking trails in the surrounding forests, Yamanakako lake, etc. The food was nice. I was lucky to view a very beautiful sunset while staying here!