Shuhokaku Kogetsu at Kawaguchiko in Japan – Real Review
Are you planning your first trip to Japan and looking for a hotel with stunning Mount Fuji views?
Curious about the charm of Shuhokaku Kogetsu at Kawaguchiko in Japan but unsure how to book?
This article is tailored for international travelers who want to know everything about this hotel.
From luxurious rooms and relaxing onsen to exquisite meals and reservation tips, we’ve got you covered.
By the end of this guide, you’ll understand why Shuhokaku Kogetsu at Kawaguchiko in Japan is a top choice for visitors.
I will share my actual lodging experience with you and hope it will help you.
Shuhoukaku Kogetsu: Facility
Room
Shuhokaku Kogetsu offers three types of guest rooms: standard guest rooms, guest rooms with footbaths, and open-air bath guest rooms.
I stayed in a guest room with a footbath, and it was great. I visited in late November, so the temperature outside was a bit chilly, but I had a luxurious time soaking in the footbath and warming myself while enjoying the view of Mt. Fuji. The room was very spacious, with enough room to lie down on the tatami mats, and there were chairs at the back of the room from which we could view Mt. Fuji.
There is a footbath space on the balcony. The slightly chilly weather made the warmth of the footbath more pleasant. I could see Mt.Fuji like this while taking a footbath. It was a luxurious and great view.
Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi from all of these types of rooms. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, and the luxurious view will make your stay a moment to remember. Guest rooms with open-air baths have been made even more comfortable through renewal in June 2023. All rooms are available in either Japanese-style with tatami mats or Western-style with beds. All rooms offer the luxury experience of “having Mt. Fuji all to yourself,” with dinner brought to your room and a view of Mt. Fuji all day long. There are also twin room type rooms available for families or two families visiting together, allowing you to choose according to your budget and travel objectives.
I am Japanese, so I am used to taking public bath in the large hot spring, but if you are traveling from overseas, you may want to secure your own private space, so I recommend rooms with an open-air bath in the guest room. However, Kogetsu is a very popular hotel, so it is very difficult to make a reservation. Even Japanese people have difficulty making reservations. I will explain tips on how to make a reservation later, so please check back soon.
Onsen
Shuhokaku Kogetsu Onsen is a luxurious place to enjoy the hot springs of Kawaguchiko Onsenkyo. There are separate hot springs for men and women, and both hot springs have open-air baths with a great view of Mt. Fuji.
The public bath has an open-air bath and an indoor bath, both of which have free-flowing hot-spring water. When I visited, I started my day in the morning bath, enjoying the contrast between the cool air and the warm water. At night, I recommend relaxing in the open-air bath under the stars. If you want to avoid crowds, the best time to visit is before breakfast.
Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. / check-in – 12:00 p.m.
Terrace
Shuhokaku Kogetsu Terrace is set in the best location overlooking Lake Kawaguchi and Mt. Fuji. In particular, the “Footbath Terrace” is a new attraction newly established in 2023.
When I visited, I was able to relax my body and mind in the footbath in the clear morning air while enjoying the view of Mt. Fuji . This footbath area is free of charge and is a great place to stop by after check-in or in between sightseeing.
In addition, there is a terrace where you can enjoy snacks and drinks, and the view is spectacular itself, especially at sunset. On the day I stayed, I saw the sun setting behind Mt. Fuji. Early mornings and evenings are especially quiet, and you can relax while listening to the sounds of nature around you. The different scenery of each season makes this a popular spot for repeat visitors.
Hours: 2:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. / 6:00 a.m. – check-out /(welcome drink: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
Restaurant
The restaurant at Shuhokaku Kogetsu has Japanese Kaiseki cuisine using local seasonal ingredients.
Breakfast is served with a choice of Japanese or Western-style dishes, and features a variety of items made from local ingredients. Fuji from the breakfast room windows, making it a special way to start the day. A children’s menu is also available, making it a great choice for family trips. The restaurant staff was very friendly and helpful, and they even responded to international travelers in English.
Dinner was a beautifully presented course meal, and the local specialty, Koshu beef shabushabu and fresh fish dishes were excellent and very tasty. You can choose to have dinner in your room or in a private dining room. The staff will ask you which you prefer when you check in, so let them know at that time. I ate in my room because I wanted to spend time with just my family with beautiful view of Mt. Fuji.
Shuhoukaku Kogetsu: Service
Price
Rates at Shuhoukaku Kogetsu vary depending on the room type, accommodation plan, and number of guests.
For two people staying in :
- standard guest room(without an open-air bath): 20,000 to 30,000 yen per person per night.
- guest room with an footbath: 30,000 to 40,000 yen per person per night.
- Rooms with open-air baths: 40,000 to 50,000 yen per person per night.
Notes: This rate is per person, not per room. As the number of guests increases, the price per person will be slightly reduced, but basically, the price will increase with each additional guest.
When making reservations, there are plans that include regular meals and activities such as a ladies’ plan that includes special colored yukata. Seasonal discount plans and discounts for consecutive nights may also be offered. Prices tend to be higher during the cherry blossom season in spring and the foliage season in fall, so winter or summer tends to be a relatively inexpensive time to stay.
Reservation
You can make reservations at Shuhokaku Kogetsu directly from the official website or through travel reservation websites, but in either case, reservations can only be made up to 6 months in advance.
Shuhokaku Kogetsu is a very popular hotel and is famous for being very difficult to reserve. The rooms are basically full up to 6 months in advance, so the only way to get a reservation is to check room availability regularly and book 6 months in advance quickly, or wait for a cancellation. It takes a lot of patience, but this is how I made my hotel reservation.
If you call, you can book up to a year in advance, and it is relatively easy to make a reservation this way. However, very unfortunately, reservations by phone from international travelers can only be made for dates up to three months in advance. Hopefully this company’s policy will be revised. At this time, the best method for international travelers is to make reservations through the travel reservation site which I will explain below.
Tips
I will show you some tips for making reservations. I found that when I checked the reservation status on the official website, it indicated that the rooms were full and could not be reserved, but when I checked on the travel reservation website, the rooms were available and could be reserved. So, if you regularly check the reservation status on travel reservation websites, you may have a better chance of making a reservation.
In my case, checking TripAdvisor regularly, I was lucky enough to find a cancellation and make a reservation.
Dinner
When you arrive at your room, you will be asked what time you would like to have dinner. In my case, I wanted to have dinner after taking a hot spring bath, so I asked for 6:00 pm.
The cuisine at Shuhokaku Kogetsu is mainly kaiseki cuisine, which allows you to fully enjoy “local flavors and a sense of the season.” They serve dishes using Koshu beef, fresh vegetables from the foot of Mount Fuji, and river fish from Lake Kawaguchi, and I think there were over 15 dishes in total. In particular, the tender Koshu beef sukiyaki was superb and surprisingly tasty.
If you are not a fan of fish dishes (especially raw fish sashimi), let them know when you are asked when you would like to have dinner and they will arrange it for you.
Breakfast depends on the type of room you are staying in: for rooms with an open-air bath on the second floor, you will be served in a private dining room, where Japanese dishes are carefully prepared and served by the staff. For other rooms, it will be served in the restaurant hall on the first floor in the form of a buffet of Japanese and Western dishes. The staff can also respond in English, so travelers from overseas can enjoy their meals with peace of mind.
Spa
Shuhokaku Kogetsu’s spa services offer a special experience to relieve travel fatigue. In the dedicated relaxation room, guests can receive professional massages and aromatherapy. Treatments using local plant-derived oils are especially relaxing.
When I experienced it, I received a facial massage with a view of Mt. Fuji, and my tired body after a long day’s travel was instantly soothed. Reservations can also be made upon check-in. It is especially popular with couples and families, so if you have the time, you may want to consider it.
Rental Activities
Shuhokaku Kogetsu offers a variety of activities for guests. Bicycle rental service to explore the foot of Mt. Fuji and boating experience on Lake Kawaguchi are popular. I took advantage of the bicycle rental service and enjoyed a leisurely tour around the lake. The exhilarating feeling of riding a bicycle slowly while gazing at Mt. Fuji. Please consider renting a bike.
In addition, there are also campfire experiences specially set up on the lakeside for guests only, and local traditional craft workshops. These activities are perfect for enjoying with family and friends.
Access
The recommended access from Tokyo is :
- JR Chuo Line express train from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station (about 60 minutes).
- From Otsuki Station, take an express train on the Fuji Express Line to Kawaguchiko Station (about 40 minutes).
- From Kawaguchiko Station, you can take the free shuttle bus of Shuhokaku Kogetsu to the hotel(10 minutes). When you arrive at Kawaguchiko Station, call the front desk phone number(0555-76-8888) of Shuhokaku Kogetsu.
Shuttle bus Hours: 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Yes, I understand. There is nothing worse than coming overseas and having to make a phone call. There are various concerns such as international call charges and whether you can speak English with the person on the other end of the line.
Here is another way to get to the hotel from Kawaguchiko Station. Fujikyuko Bus (fee required) runs 11 times a day. There is a bus stop right next to Kawaguchiko Station and get off at the Kubota Itchiku Museum of Art. (10 minutes)
Shuhokaku Kogetsu Kawaguchiko Japan: Why Choose This Hotel?
Shuhokaku Kogetsu is an accommodation not to be missed when visiting the Kawaguchiko area on your trip to Japan. Fuji, hot springs, and heartwarming service make this an attractive hotel.
Below is a summary of the important points mentioned in the article.
- Perfect view of Mt. Fuji
You can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Mt. Fuji from both your room and the open-air hot spring. This is the best hotel where you can see Mt. Fuji and it has a unique charm that no other hotel has. If you visit Mt. Fuji, I recommend this hotel the most. The “footbath terrace” is especially perfect for relaxing between sightseeing. - Kaiseki cuisine with seasonal flavors
They have cuisine that makes the most of local ingredients, and Koshu beef and fresh seafood are exquisite. At breakfast, you can choose between Japanese and Western-style meals, both of which are highly satisfying. - Various activities.
There are a variety of activities to enjoy the nature of Kawaguchi Lake, such as renting bicycles and boating. Fuji in the background will surely be a memory you will cherish for a lifetime. - Easy accessibility.
Easy access to trains and buses, and access from Shinjuku is good. The location is perfect as a sightseeing base. - Reservations
This is a very popular hotel that is extremely difficult to book. We recommend checking availability on travel reservation websites 6 months in advance.
Shuhokaku Kogetsu is known as one of the top-class hotels in the Kawaguchiko area for its location and quality of service. It is also an ideal base for sightseeing in the Fuji Five Lakes area, with popular tourist spots such as Fujikyu Highland and Oshinohakkai nearby.
Shuhokaku Kogetsu offers an unforgettable stay with its luxurious experience and warm hospitality. Especially the view of Mt. Fuji is so spectacular that it will make you think, “Aren’t we in a picture postcard?” The view is so spectacular that it will make you think you are in a picture postcard!
Be sure to include this hotel in your Japan travel plans!
I have created a list of recommended hotels when considering a trip to Mt. Fuji, so if you are considering staying in the Kawaguchiko area, you can check this article “Where to Stay in Mount Fuji – Best Ryokan near Kawaguchiko” as well.
