Kagetsu — Hotel in Fuefuki

A terrible experience! Definitely not a 4 star hotel service. Big disappointment. We booked their largest bedroom for our late May 2025 trip with a reservation for 2 people. Months before the trip, I asked the hotel to upgrade the reservation for one more guest and they told me that it was fine, as « the room can accommodate to 3 people ». When checked-in, the woman at the front desk wanted to charge us for +30,000 Yens for the additional guest. No suitable solution were found. Neither the hotel employee nor her manager was understanding with the situation and willing to provide a decent solution (by « decent », mean like paying less than a new reservation which would cost about 16,000Y). The worst part: in the room, there was 4 futons ! The best solution they offered us was making another reservation for another room for the additional guest. Again: I asked about the upgrade online month before the trip. The fact that they asked me to pay for something already included was outrageous. And to make it clear: it’s not about the money but the way they handled the situation. All this misunderstanding was due to a lack of communication on their part. They should have told me at the beginning, and I would simply cancel my booking as I’ve paid for a cancel option. Worth mentioning: the additional guest in question couldn’t find another accommodation at night (we checked in late) and ended up spending the night trying to find a place. The security guard came at midnight at our room to make sure our friend was not squatting in. Edit: I also wanted to mention that I specified that I’m vegetarian, I haves said so while checking in, I have mentioned in with the staff, and that simple requirement was not fulfilled by the staff.

I just feel not considered. This hotel was a shocking exception to well known Japanese hospitality. Alejandra, which was the only English speaking person, so our only contact point, was completely unable to help and make decisions. She was nice and kind but her scope was so limited she had...

Location 3/5 - Not close to a Shinkansen line Price 5/5 - we paid about 40,000 per person/per night. About 266 USD which is phenomenal as the price included dinner and breakfast. I would personally have paid up to double that. Room/amenities 5/5 Service 5/5

The room and ground took my breath away and the service was impeccable. We were welcomed in and greeted with a tea service as they go over the room and the amenities. Our room was incredibly beautiful. It opened to look over the pond which is where we spend some time relaxing after the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Afterward, we ordered bottles of local Yamanashi wine(which they recommended and was delicious) and hung out with our buddy(who took another room). The innkeepers were gracious and kept bottles chilled in case we wanted to order more. Then it was time for dinner. Delicious Kaiseki in the dining room. We were probably a little louder than their usual clientele but they were gracious and served us without fail. After dinner, we spend some time wandering the ground and taking pictures. The next morning, we woke up early to soak in the private hot spring, which felt heavenly after the walking we did in Tokyo. After a delicious traditional breakfast, we were dropped off at the train station, relaxed and ready for the cities again.

I would highly recommend this place...

Not cheap, but definitely worth it! A lovely ryokan experience in foothills of the Minami Alps. Kagetsu is a great experience, whether you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime ryokan/onsen experience while visiting Japan or if you, like we do, live here. The grounds are, as many others have remarked, a highpoint. Wandering the gardens in yukata is balm for the soul, while soaking in the outside onsen baths calms both mind and body. Only minor thing might be that if you are western and over six feet tall, you may want to ask the staff if they have a longer quilt available. On-site dining is great. We had breakfast booked in advance for the duration (three nights) and ate dinner in the hotel two nights (the set course was 10,000 Yen per person and definitely worth it). As mentioned, the place isn't cheap, but you may be able to find a good deal outside of the high seasons. The immediate surroundings are not the most inspirational, but if you have a car available, I would recommend heading out into the mountains or south to the Fuji Five Lakes area. I know the area is famous for its grapes and wine making. Sadly, after ten years in the country, I've yet to find a good Japanese red. There are plenty of wine tasting options in the area, and you are guaranteed to have an...interesting experience if you choose...