Kozantei Ubuya an Inn Where You Can Enjoy Mt. Fuji, an Onsen and a Gourmet Meal

A view of Mt. Fuji from any room

Many times even if an inn or hotel says they have a view of Mt. Fuji, it is restricted to certain situations such as only a tiny bit of it is seen, or it can only be seen from the outdoor bath, or only the special suite rooms.

The northwestern shore of Lake Kawaguchi is a special area where you can see Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi together. Kozantei Ubuya has all their guest rooms facing Lake Kawaguchi. From the standard Japanese style room that is 10 tatami mats in area to the high grade room with an outdoor onsen attached to it, every room has a view of Mt. Fuji.

From Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line, it is a 5 minute car ride to the inn.

The check in process is elegant with a view of the Japanese garden from the lobby sofa while snacking on traditional sweets and drinking matcha tea.

After a short rest you are guided to your room.

If the weather is on your side the large window in the room is truly a picture window.

The blue foreground of Lake Kawaguchi with Mt. Fuji standing impressively past it, makes your heart skip a beat.

Mt. Fuji seen from Lake Kawaguchi side is beautiful with a symmetrical shape to it.

The room clerk brings more tea and snacks and explains the inns facilities.

It would be best to stay in the luxurious room with an outdoor bath, and bathe while viewing Mt. Fuji but even the standard class rooms are high quality and very comfortable.

A full view of Mt. Fuji from the outdoor onsen and indoor bath with fogless windows

After a short rest head straight to the onsen.

The men’s bath is on the second and third floors, while the women’s is on the fourth and fifth.

The vaulted ceiling baths take up 2 floors and are ultra-spacious, with a spectacular view of Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji.

You can really take it all in to your hearts content, while you bath.

Normally the window glass would fog up at a normal onsen but here the main bath has special fogless windows. It is one of Kozantei Ubuya’s obsessions to provide the best view of Mt. Fuji.

Enjoying the view of Mt. Fuji from the outdoor bath, while chatting is highly recommended. The breeze from the lake is relaxing and allows you to bathe longer than usual. Aside from the indoor and outdoor baths, there is the herb sauna, the lay down bath, the sitting bath, and a hot tub, as well as a drinking fountain which pumps up underground water from Mt. Fuji. This allows you to rehydrate between baths.

After getting out of the bath relax with the massage chairs.

These massage chairs also look out on the lake and the mountain.

Feasting on gourmet while viewing Mt. Fuji

Because this inn is so focused on provided the best view of Mt. Fuji of course their dining room as well as the lounge and even the cigar room have scenic views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mt Fuji.

Dinner is served with the lingering sunlight on the lake.

The Kaiseki Cuisine uses the best of seasonal ingredients, and are fulfilling to the eyes as well as on the tongue. They serve each course according to your eating speed.

The standard course’s main dish is Koshu Local Chicken, wagyu beef, and Fujizakura Pork all grilled on a lava rock plate.

Enjoy your dessert from the lounge.

What is the most alluring is the breakfast (pictured above).

With the vision of Mt. Fuji in the crisp morning air, you will dine on Ubuya’s famous Japanese egg omelet, with side dishes such as shimeji mushrooms. Rice is cooked and served in a pot shaped bowl.

Loving the view of Mt. Fuji while strolling on the lakeside footpath

The lake is right in front of the inn. Along the lake shore is a foot path where you can lazily walk around in a yukata in the crisp morning air.

An elderly couple, a woman on a lone trip, a foreigner couple, people walking their dogs…

Many people revel in the scenery while enjoying their morning stroll.

If there is no wind and the lake is a mirror you might be able to see the upside down Fuji.

After the stroll head back to the inn for a bath to warm up. Then head to the room to lay around in the futon (there are rooms with beds here too).

Check out is at 11am. The room clerk only comes into the room when needed and doesn’t come to put away the futons. This is this inns style. You can hang out in the room right up until check out time.

• Kozantei Ubuya 0555-72-1145 phone reservations are between 10am and 8pm 10 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi-ken

Get on the Kawaguchiko Retro Bus and head to Oishi Park

Where should you go after checking out?

Out of the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Kawaguchi has the most viewpoints of Mt. Fuji, and has many tourist facilities as well.

If you get on the Kawaguchiko Tour Retro Bus which leaves from Kawaguchiko Station and stops at Ubuya, you can explore the north eastern side of Lake Kawaguchi. We recommend checking out Oishi Park which is on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi.

Oishi Park is famous for being an observation point of Mt. Fuji year round.

Many flowers bloom from the start of spring, and in June to July it becomes lavender season. Your eyes will be filled with a purple carpet, the blue of Lake Kawaguchi, and Mt. Fuji all at the same time.

What’s great here is that it is free to enter the park and there is a very relaxed atmosphere here.