Come rain or shine, the countryside around Japan’s Mount Fuji is a glorious sight to behold, and the abundance of hot spring resorts in Fuji Hakone Izu National Park have made it a popular retreat among wealthy Japanese travellers since time immemorial.
International jet-setters will also be able to bask in the wonders of the region with the opening of Kawaguchiko Fufu in October; a ryokan style guesthouse with 32 rooms looking out towards Mount Fuji, set in some of the most picturesque countryside in Japan. Situated on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi, the hotel promises guests an immersive natural experience that will change with the seasons, with a cosy, warming atmosphere in winter and cool breezes and outdoor pursuits in the summer.
Nearby attractions sound like the stuff of ancient legend: Fugaku Wind Cave (a cave created by an exploding volcano some 1,150 years ago) and the Narusawa Ice Cave (a 153-mete long lava tunnel) are close to the hotel, and in spring, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival at nearby Lake Motosu rewards visitors with a carpet of pink moss that covers the landscape. Cap off your visit with a trip to one of the numerous onsen nearby and you have a unique outdoor experience that captures the essence of ancient Japan.