What kind of large onsen ryokan is Shuhokaku Kogetsu near Mt. Fuji?
This time, my grandmother, who is in a wheelchair, requested to stay at this ryokan for a quiet stay with a view of Mt.Fuji. We stayed at the nearby Ubuya the day before and moved to Shuhokaku Kogetsu by car, where we would stay this evening. It takes less than 5 minutes by car.
Ubuya is an luxury onsen ryokan, but Shuhokaku Kogetsu is not. If anything, it is a rather old-fashioned facility, but it is a great place to stay for families. The staff is all friendly and very attentive, which made our stay feel comfortable. Our room has a private outdoor hot spring bath, so my grandmother could enjoy the hot spring without any worries. Ubuya had some rooms with private outdoor baths, but they were not hot springs. My grandmother’s wish to view Mt. Fuji while enjoying the hot springs was finally granted.
We checked out of Ubuya before 11:00 a.m. and drove to Shuhokaku. As at Ubuya, we told the staff that we were taking my grandmother in a wheelchair, so they were standing by at the entrance. This was very helpful. Once inside, we noticed some outdated furniture and decor in the lobby, but the room we reserved with an outdoor hot spring bath had been remodeled, so the facilities seemed relatively new. Above all, we were delighted by the warm hospitality of the staff.
As soon as we arrived at the lobby and checked in, the staff showed us to our room with an outdoor hot spring bath on the second floor. Upon entering the room, the first thing that caught my eye was the huge Mt. Fuji. The day was also blessed with clear skies, and we were able to admire the powerful Mt. Fuji. In the spacious living room, there was a sofa and massage chair, and next to it was a large Japanese-style room. The magnificent alcove called tokonoma was decorated with flower arrangement. Next to the Japanese-style room was a small bedroom with twin beds and a private dining room. Outside on the large wooden terrace, there was a sofa, table, private outdoor hot spring bath and footbath. The room was a good size for a family of five. One night was not enough, it was wonderful.
For a while, we sat on the sofa on the terrace drinking coffee and watching Mt. Fuji. Then one of the pride of this ryokan is the communal outdoor hot spring baths. We quickly changed into my yukata and headed for the communal bath. The outdoor baths here are truly famous for having the most spectacular view in Japan. It is no wonder that many regular guests stay here to see this spectacular view. The Japanese garden seen from the outdoor baths is planted with red pines, with Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji in the background, creating a beautiful harmony that is representative of Japan. It is truly like a picture postcard. Then the free beer in the lounge after relaxing in the communal hot spring baths was the best I have ever tasted.
When we returned to our room, it was almost time for dinner. All meals were served in the dining room of our room. The dinner was a kaiseki meal using high quality ingredients. For example, abalone, Koshu beef, blowfish, sea bream, crab, sea urchin, etc. The portions tend to be large, and we were even served rice balls for our night meal. I have a grandmother in a wheelchair, so it was very convenient to be able to eat in our room.
The next morning, the whole family got up early and had a coffee on the sofa on the balcony to stand by in the cold to see Mt. Fuji shining in the morning sun. The surface of Lake Kawaguchi was frozen over, so it was a particularly cold day even in March. Then, around past six o’clock, the area gradually became brighter and the black shadows of Mt. Fuji emerged from the darkness, changing its mystical hue, and its snow-covered peak gradually transformed into a graceful appearance illuminated by the morning sun. That scene is still fresh in my mind’s eye.
Then this onsen ryokan is in a great location. In particular, in the spring season, the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year from early April, and in the fall season, the Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Foliage Festival is held every year from late October to November, with lights up at night. Fortunately, the above festivals are held near Shuhokaku Kogetsu, so you can go for a walk after dinner to see them. Our regret is that we stayed in March this time, so it was a little early for the cherry blossom season.
If I were to venture to raise a fault, the rooms with outdoor baths were high-class facilities, but the interior and decor of the lobby and lounge may be outdated. Also, this is not a ryokan for romantic couples or solo travelers. If anything, it is a ryokan for families and groups.
Then if you stay in a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath, you will be served a wonderful kaiseki meal for dinner and breakfast in your room using premium ingredients. I think that it is worth staying in a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath when you stay here. There are very few rooms with private hot spring baths in a great location around Lake Kawaguchi.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on agoda
TOP5 Best Hotels and Ryokans with Private Onsen near Mt.Fuji
TOP5 Best Hotels and Ryokans for Families near Mt.Fuji
TOP5 Best Gourmet Hotels and Ryokans near Mt.Fuji
Is the location easy to access?
You can take an express bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, JR Bus Tokyo Station Expressway Bus Terminal, or Shibuya Mark City, then get off at Kawaguchiko Station. It takes about 2 hours. *Tokyo Station is so huge that even as a Japanese I often get lost. Make sure you have plenty of time to get around.
Alternativily, from Haneda Airport, there is also a Keihin Kyuko Bus service to Kawaguchiko Station. The journey time is approximately 150 minutes. *As of July 2022, this route is out of service due to the cronavirus pandemic.
There is a way to get there by train, but since there are transfers, express buses are easier to travel by.
Then free shuttle service is availabel between Kawaguchiko Station to Shuhokaku Kogetsu between 14:30 and 19:00. It takes 15min by car. You need to book it in advance.
Rooms I would recommend?
As described above, if you are going to stay here, I would recommend a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath. We fully enjoyed our private bath with a beer in hand while viewing an amazing Mt.Fuji until check-out time.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, a green tea set, and tea bags, etc. If you stay in a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath, complimentary mini-bar including beer and Japanese sake is available. Free WiFi reception was available when we stayed in 2020. The room service was not available. Complimentary beer and wine were available on 1F until 19:00. There is a convenience store nearby.
Also, this is child-friendly. Staff provides amenities, yukatas, futons, and meals for small children at an additional charge if you request in advance.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths with Mt.Fuji views. They are open from 5:00-9:00, 15:00-24:00. *If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing area.
Then this is a universal design. There are accessible rooms for wheelchair users. Also, wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring people with weak legs, you might want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the lift.
There is a spa treatment shop on 2F. You need to make an appoitment in advacne. The shop is open between 16:00 and 23:00.
There is an amusement arcade on 1F for children.
TOP5 Best Accessible Hotels and Ryokans near Mt.Fuji
How about meals?
The kaiseki food for dinner was wonderful. *If you have dinner in the property, you need to check in by 19:00.
Dinner for 2 to 4 persons is served in your room, and for 5 or more persons it is served in a private dining room. Breakfast will be a buffet of Japanese and Western food in the dining area on the first floor. The buffet is quite extensive. There was always more than enough food each day. If you stay in a room with a private outdoor hot spring bath, all meals are service in your room.
Then please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there is no nice restaurant around here. Local papa-mama shops are closing early. You may want to book a room including meals.
My impressions
Finally, Shuhokaku Kogetsu is very popular throughout the year. Rooms with private outdoor hot spring baths are particularly popular. If you want to spend a relaxing time in a quiet ambience, you may want to avoid staying during Chinese New Year, late April to early May, weekends in November, and the year-end and New Year’s holidays. The above periods are more crowded than expected.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Shuhokaku Kogetsu from the below space. You need to inform the staff of your expected arrival time in advance. Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on agoda
Info about Shuhokaku Kogetsu
| Style | Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 60,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-Mail |
Fill the form in |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi is available around the lobby only |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Shuhokaku Kogetsu’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Kawaguchiko Station between 14:30 and 19:00 |
| Address and TEL | 〒401-0304 Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi 2312, Kawaguchi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi Tel +81 555 76 8888 |
| Official Homepage | Shuhokaku Kogetsu’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
Still not sure where to stay near Mt. Fuji?
Browse through my TOP5 Ranking Lists of all the best places to stay near Mt. Fuji.
Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.