If you’re reading this, then chances are you’ve been dreaming of not only visiting Mt Fuji but waking up to expansive, uninterrupted views of this famous volcano. Looking for a place to experience this magic? Look no further, because I have the PERFECT place for you! Meet FUFU Kawaguchiko, a hotel with a view of Mt Fuji plus a private, open-air onsen in each suite. To find out all the details of my magnificently luxurious stay, scroll down to find my review of FUFU Kawaguchiko below.
FUFU Kawaguchiko Review:
The Room
Views
Let’s start with the most sought-after feature of this resort; THE VIEWS! Each room at the resort boasts stunning views of the peak through the forest. There are several suites located on the second and third floor of the resort, each with their own unique charm. We stayed in the Konohana Comfort Suite and loved every single detail the room had to offer. Throughout the morning of our first day at FUFU Kawaguchiko, clouds covered the entirety of Mt Fuji, so we were a little disappointed. Later that afternoon however, I woke up from a little catnap to the sight of Mt. Fuji in all its glory right there in front of my eyes. It was a magical moment I will not soon forget.
And no need to look at the mountain through the glass, the floor to ceiling windows are fully retractable so you can create an open-air balcony space whenever you feel like it. We kept our windows open for the majority of our stay and let the fresh forest air waft into our space with delight.
Another feature we loved was the eco-friendly bioethanol fireplace we could enjoy at night out on our little indoor/outdoor balcony. All you have to do is call down to the front desk and a lovely hotel staff member will come to light a fire in the hearth so you can enjoy the flickering flames as the sun goes down behind Mt Fuji. Add a few glasses of wine and you have yourself the perfect relaxing and romantic evening.
Private Onsen
If the view is the most anticipated feature, then the private onsen is a close second! Each guest room features a natural hot spring bath covered with volcanic stone from Mount Fuji. This open-air bath is completely private and is just for you to enjoy! The water is heated to the optimal temperature for boosting blood circulation, reducing inflammation in the body, and other health benefits that come from the use of an onsen.
The water produces a beneficial far-infrared effect that will aid in a stress-free mind, and fantastic nights’ sleep ahead. At first, the water was too hot for us to handle so we turned on the cold water to cool it down a bit, and once it was at a more bearable heat, we let the sense of calm wash over us without hesitation.
On a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji right from your bath through the slated privacy fence. If soaking in a volcanic bath nestled in a forest getaway overlooking a sacred volcano isn’t serenity, I don’t know what is.
Decor
The Konohana Comfort Suite is a woodland escape decorated with earthy elements and natural fibers that help bring the feeling of the surrounding forest inside. Wood from the land where FUFU Kawaguchiko now stands has been repurposed and reborn as furniture used throughout the hotel like footrests, benches, tables, and more.
Special touches like mushroom sculptures and essential oil stones filling the room with fragrances of the forest helped in creating that nature-meets-luxury sanctuary atmosphere.
I loved every detail down to the volcanic stone brewing device for our pour-over coffee in the morning and the handmade mugs. The beds were out of this world comfortable as were the couch lounger and the armchairs in the indoor/outdoor balcony. They simply thought of everything a guest could want in this suite, including adding wood pieces on the armrests of the chairs so guests can rest their coffee (or a glass of wine!), plus an intricate lighting system where you can change up the atmosphere from full lights to a warm glow.
I still can’t believe I got to wake up here – to say it was a dream would be an understatement.
Clothing and attire
They give each guest a matching set of lounge clothes, jacket, pair of toe socks, clogs, and a little canvas bag to wear around the hotel. They really encourage guests to wear this outfit for dinner, breakfast, and for leisure around the hotel. That being said, you will for sure see all the other guests wearing these outfits too. It was by far the coziest way I’ve ever lounged around a hotel or enjoyed a 5-star meal!
So, for the entirety of our stay, I wore this little hotel “uniform” and didn’t have to open my suitcase for any clothing. They even provided sleepwear and robes too! And if you need another set of clothes or pajamas, you just alert the staff and they’ll bring a fresh pair right up to your room.
(When it is safe enough to travel) BOOK YOUR STAY WITH FUFU KAWAGUCHIKO HERE
Dining
Yamanoha
Their restaurant, Yamanoha, offers an exceptional dining experience by fusing Japanese kaiseki cuisine (which is a traditional multi-course dinner made with the finest skill and technique known as the most refined form of Japanese dining) with incorporating local Kawaguchiko ingredients all set in the ambiance of a forest getaway.
We were lucky enough to have the privilege of enjoying two breakfasts (one Japanese-style and one Western-style) and two 9-course dinners. #SPOILED. When they initially brought over the dinner menu and I saw that there were 9-courses with about 20 dishes listed, I just assumed that there were options under each course and we’d have to pick. To our surprise, each course had multiple dishes and we sampled about 20 different dishes EACH in total! Seriously, take a moment to review the menu pictured above, and you’ll see what I mean.
The dishes were plated beautifully with such precision and artistic distinction, using leaves and flowers from the forest to embellish each plate. The chefs prepare the exquisite food via wood fire and volcanic stone cooking techniques and let me tell you, it knocked our toe-socks right off.
The Lobby, bar & lounge area
The theme of bringing the forest inside most definitely spans beyond just the rooms. The lobby and main lounge area almost resemble a greenhouse there are so many plants! Similar to the decor of the rooms, the lobby and lounge area featured lots of natural elements and wood furniture pieces. In fact, a lot of the side tables and furniture found throughout the property were crafted from trees right there on the property.
Remember the loungewear I was telling you about? Well, in the resort gift shop you can pick up your own set! You will also find those beautiful mugs and the volcanic stone brewing device I spoke about earlier, in addition to a whole collection of other gifts available for purchase if you want to take a little piece of Fufu Kawaguchiko home with you.
Just beyond the main lobby and lounge area you’ll find the cozy resort bar. We were so wrapped up in the comfort of our own room that I am sad to say with didn’t make it down here for a drink, but it looked like a perfect place to grab a cocktail or glass of wine – served with an incredible view, of course.
In the warmer months, there’s an outdoor patio where guests can read, soak up the sun, enjoy a cocktail, or simply admire Mt. Fuji. Just in front of the patio on the ground level, there are several seating areas and even a bonfire pit to enjoy a warm fire in the evenings.
The Resort Onsen
In addition to the private onsen within your own room, there is also a resort onsen open for all guests. Onsens are typically separated into two bathhouses, one for men and one for women, which was the case at FUFU Kawaguchiko. For obvious reasons, I do not have any photos from the inside of the Onsen as it is mandatory to enter the bath sans clothing. It was my first time ever experiencing spa-amenities bathing suit-less and it was both an anxiety-inducing and freeing experience all at the same time. The rest of the women in the bathhouse were all Japanese and it all seemed so second nature to them. Damn you western culture haha.
Nearby Activities
Go for a bike ride
Another fantastic amenity of FUFU Kawaguchiko is the free use of their electric bicycles. We checked two bikes out and went for a 7.5 mile bike ride zipping around the Kawaguchiko and Arakura neighborhoods. Even if you don’t want to go far, the Kawaguchiko lake is just down the hill from the resort, so you could go on a nice and easy leisurely ride around the lake and enjoy the beauty.
Visit Chureito Pagoda
We ended up taking the electric bikes all the way to Chureito Pagoda, an iconic hilltop pagoda that faces Mt. Fuji. We were lucky enough to visit on a clear day, making Mt. Fuji easily viewable from atop the hill. In springtime, cherry blossoms frame the pagoda, and travelers around the world come to view this classic Japanese landscape. As we visited in January, the number of tourists was surprisingly low and we didn’t have too much trouble getting a great shot without a single person in it!
Eat udon at Houtou Fudou
If you are looking for a lunch spot outside of the resort, I couldn’t recommend Houtou Fudou any higher. It’s an easy 20-25 minute walk from FUFU Kawaguchico and offers what I can only describe as the most memorable bowl of udon I ate during my entire trip to Japan. This is no ordinary udon, as Houtou noodles can only be found in the Fuji Lakes area. Houtou Fotou is famous in this region for its handmade Houtou noodles and for serving up their udon in a piping hot cauldron.
I also enjoyed the overall dining experience as it was traditional yet extremely casual. I fell in love with the vintage samurai artwork lining the walls, rustic wooden beams, and the traditional Japanese dining area, though we sat in the main dining room in regular chairs and tables. Definitely find a way to sneak this into your itinerary, even if you’re so cozy in your room at FUFU – I promise it will be worth it!
Stop for a coffee & a sweet treat at Cafe Troisieme Marche
Just down the street from Houtou Fudou, you will find Cafe Troisieme Marche. This French-inspired cafe offers European-style coffees and handmade, seasonal cakes – we tried at least 3 different kinds! The space is uber cozy and resembles a cafe you might encounter in the French countryside. If you plan to take a walk down by Kawaguchiko Lake, I would recommend adding a stop at this cafe. In addition to the cafe, they have a lovely boutique and gift shop full of unique clothing items, accessories, and bath items like soaps and lotions.
(When it is safe enough to travel) BOOK YOUR STAY WITH FUFU KAWAGUCHIKO HERE
Find Fufu Kawaguchiko on Instagram and Facebook.
Disclaimer: I received a media rate in exchange for my opinions about FUFU Kawaguchiko, but all opinions are my own. I only recommend places that I love!
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Wander On,
Wanderluluu xx
