Hotel Kaneyamaen Interview Article

Hotel Kaneyamaen is an inn that began operations in 1971.

The hotel offers a total of 122 rooms, including Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, hybrid Japanese-Western rooms, and rooms with private open-air onsen baths. In addition to the in-room baths, there is a large communal bath on the first floor and an open-air bath on the rooftop, making it a highly fulfilling onsen ryokan. The onsen  is highly alkaline, known for its excellent beautifying effects.

Located about 100 kilometers from central Tokyo, it takes approximately two and a half hours by train to reach the hotel. A dedicated shuttle bus picks up guests from the nearest station, Fujisan Station, making access very convenient and ensuring that transportation is never an issue.

The surrounding area features many attractive tourist spots where you can enjoy traditional Japanese culture and scenery, such as Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai, and the iconic Chureito Pagoda, making it a fascinating area to explore during your visit.

This time, we will introduce the charm of Hotel Kaneyamaen in six categories, so let’s dive right in and take a look.

First and foremost, the charm of this facility is that you can experience Japan’s rich traditional culture firsthand.

As you step inside, you are enveloped by the elegant fragrance of incense, immediately captivated by the refined atmosphere of this traditional Japanese hotel. At the entrance, staff dressed in formal kimonos line up to warmly welcome the guests.

First and foremost, the charm of this facility is that you can experience Japan’s rich traditional culture firsthand.

As you walk through the hotel, you'll find ikebana flower arrangements displayed in various places, allowing you to feel the thoughtful spirit of Japanese hospitality.

In addition, pottery and artworks that reflect Japanese culture are displayed throughout the hotel, giving you the feeling of being in an art museum just by walking around inside.

The editorial team visited in August, and since it was summer in Japan,' furin'(small wind bells typically hung under the eaves of houses during summer) were displayed in the hallways of the hotel. These bells are designed to chime when blown by the wind, and with each breeze, the gentle 'chirin-chirin' sound added a charming touch of seasonal atmosphere.

We could sense the thoughtful hospitality at Hotel Kaneyamaen, where special efforts are made to ensure guests can enjoy and experience Japanese culture.

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Hotel Kaneyamaen offers several bathing facilities, so let’s introduce them one by one.

First Floor Large Communal Bath

Let’s start with the large communal bath on the first floor, 'Aka Fuji.'

In Japanese onsens, you first undress in the changing room before entering the bath. At Hotel Kaneyamaen, the changing room is spacious, and the lockers are equipped with locks, ensuring security and safety.

In Japanese onsens, you wash your body in the washing area before entering the bath. The washing areas at this onsen have partitions between them, allowing you to wash without worrying about your neighbors.

The indoor bath is also spacious, allowing you to relax and soak comfortably in the water.

When you step outside, there is a Japanese-style rock open-air bath. Although it was cloudy during our visit and we couldn't see it, on a clear day, you can enjoy a view of Mt. Fuji beyond the beautiful garden.

<Quoted from the official Hotel Kaneyamaen website>

In addition, there are various types of baths such as neyu (lying-down bath), bubble baths, and saunas.

After your bath, before returning to your room, you can relax and unwind in the rest area.

From 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, cold barley tea and Hotel Kaneyamaen’s traditional 'ginger bekko-zuke' (pickled ginger) are served here.

Enjoy the refreshing taste that will soothe your warmed body.

Rooftop Open-Air Bath

Hotel Kaneyamaen also has another open-air bath on the rooftop. On clear days, you can enjoy a sweeping view of Mt. Fuji down to its base, and the scenery is truly breathtaking.

<Quoted from the official Hotel Kaneyamaen website>

Unfortunately, it was cloudy on the day of our visit, so we couldn't see Mt. Fuji, but the unobstructed view from the rooftop is something only Hotel Kaneyamaen can offer.

The bath is arranged in three tiers, allowing you to fully enjoy the expansive view while soaking in the onsen.

The first tier is a deep bath with a water depth of 90 cm, where you can kneel and admire the scenery. The top tier features a neyu(lying-down bath), allowing you to relax and take in the view of Mt. Fuji while reclining.

Hotel Kaneyamaen’s onsens are highly alkaline, enriched with the blessings of Mt. Fuji, and are particularly known for their beautifying effects. You can enjoy the onsens along with the seasonal views of Mt. Fuji.

The bathing areas alternate between men and women in the morning and evening.

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Next, let’s introduce the guest rooms. Out of the 122 rooms at Hotel Kaneyamaen, 66 are equipped with private onsen baths.

This time, the editorial team had the opportunity to photograph a room from the 'Sanri' grade.

Sanri Suite

The Sanri Suite, which was renovated and reopened in August 2024, is a spacious room with an area of 80 square meters.

Passing through the barrier-free entrance, you’ll find a spacious tatami living area. As you move further into the room, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Mt. Fuji through the windows.

The beds are made by Simmons, and the room is also equipped with a capsule coffee machine, an air purifier, a wall-mounted TV, and other excellent amenities.

Additionally, the room comes with a private open-air bath, allowing you to bathe as many times as you like, whenever you want, without worrying about privacy.

It is a suite room where you can experience true relaxation.

Additional Special Services

Guests staying in the Sanri suite are provided with additional special services.

Only guests staying in the Sanri suite and other select rooms have access to the Club Lounge on the first floor, where they can enjoy a variety of drinks and sweets made with local ingredients.

<Quoted from the official Hotel Kaneyamaen website>

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Alcohol is served until 6:00 PM from the time of check-in.

In addition to the Sanri suite introduced here, there are other rooms with private open-air baths, including the Imperial Suite, rooms directly facing the garden on the first floor, Yuraku Yamabiko-tei, and another brand within the hotel, Besso Sensen. For more details, please visit the official website.

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Hotel Kaneyamaen boasts an expansive 50,000 square meter Japanese garden within its grounds. The garden is carefully maintained by the staff, and throughout the year, you can enjoy Japan's seasonal beauty: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter.

While simply walking through the garden is enjoyable on its own, the garden also features a tea house called 'Seiryuan.'

In front of the window, a waterfall flows, allowing you to enjoy seasonal scenery while savoring matcha and traditional Japanese sweets.

There is also a souvenir shop adjacent to the tea house, where you can purchase various uniquely Japanese souvenirs, such as incense holders and vases featuring Mt. Fuji, as well as other items.

Additionally, at another rest area, there is a free  amazake service.  Amazake is a traditional Japanese sweet drink made from rice koji. It has a cloudy white appearance with rice grains remaining. Despite the name 'amazake,' it contains no alcohol.

You can spend a relaxing time while admiring the flowers and garden, carefully tended by the staff with heartfelt care.

Hotel Kaneyamaen also opens an outdoor pool during the summer season.

There are plenty of features for both adults and children to enjoy.

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Hotel Kaneyamaen offers several dining venues, depending on the plan you choose.

First, there is 'San-San Dining Sakuya,' available for guests staying in the Sanri suites introduced earlier.

You can enjoy seasonal Japanese ingredients, freshly prepared in the dedicated open kitchen.

Depending on the plan, guests staying in the Sanri suites can also choose 'Konohana,' a semi-private dining experience.

In addition, there is Shikisai Dining Mikuri, an open kitchen dining experience where chefs prepare each dish right in front of you and serve it fresh.

Private dining rooms are also available, allowing guests to choose the style that best suits the purpose of their trip or their personal preferences.

Breakfast is served in a grand hall, which is also used as a venue for wedding receptions.

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The final charm is the evening entertainment. Every night at 8:30 PM, a taiko drum show is performed in the area at the back of the lobby.

The performance, held right in front of you, is truly powerful. What’s even more surprising is that the show is performed by the hotel’s own employees, who practice daily to bring this performance to life.

The taiko show is also very popular with foreign guests, and it seems to be a lively event every night.

In addition to this, various other events are held, such as Japanese umbrella spinning performances and concerts. If you’re interested, be sure to check the official website or reservation page for more details.

Hotel Kaneyamaen is one of the larger hotels in the Fujiyoshida area, operating since the 1970s. While preserving the essence of traditional Japanese culture and hospitality, the hotel continuously updates its facilities and services to offer guests an exceptional stay.

For those who want to experience Japanese culture and nature, admire Mt. Fuji, or relax in a private onsen, this hotel is highly recommended. Be sure to check it out when planning your trip to Japan.

Lastly, let us introduce Hotel Kaneyamaen's owned media platform. 'Fujiit' provides information on sightseeing and gourmet spots in and around Fujiyoshida. It supports multiple languages, so be sure to check it out when planning your trip to Japan!"

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Basic Information and Access
Address：9-1-18 Kamiyoshida higashi, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi
Check in / Check Out : 15:00~18:00 / 10:00
Tel : 0555-22-3168

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