Fuji Onsenji Yumedono — Hotel in Fujikawaguchiko

I am really struggling with this review but decided to give a 2 star review as I took Price into consideration for this.|The ryokan is highly rated on here which might be down to different experiences or different expectations.|So let me get into why I was not impressed:|I know Japan very well, come here multiple times a year for work and some extra time and even lived here a few years ago. I have stayed in multiple Ryokans with lovely Onsens all over the country and usually prefer the more traditional buildings and atmospheres. In the mouth Fuji Region this seemed to be one of very few that meets that criteria.|However during our stay, I found that none of the usual Japanese „omotenashi“ really apply here. This ryokan had zero Japanese guests and catered exclusively to foreign tourists.|The rooms are nice but certainly not great- especially considering the price. No public onsen just a shallow marble tub outside each room which heavily lacks atmosphere or Beauty. The hotel misses elements of nature and relaxation throughout- which usually is staple of a nice traditional ryokan. |Then the staff- the non-Japanese staff actually tries very hard but they are clearly not aware of some of the customs at traditional places. The Japanese stuff might have been the coldest staff I have ever experienced in Japan. As I speak Japanese, I usually manage to get into a nice conversation with staff at such ryokans - at this one, that was not at all possible. They wouldn’t even speak Japanese with me. |The breakfast service was fine but felt really rushed and service was cold.|Dinner was an absolute nightmare - no accommodation was made for a serious allergy. Actually there was no concern whatsoever- we even identified the ingredient in a dish that the waiter said was ok… and when we pointed it out he just said „please don’t eat then“. Usually staff in Japan bends over backwards to make sure all is fine with your meal.|Also- the 24,000 yen/person kaiserlich dinner was served at such a speed that we had at times three courses in front of us. |Flexibility is definitely also not a word in their vocabulary - no changes can be made to anything - but that would be ok if the staff was just overall trying a bit harder. |Food quality was good but again not better than at similar places for half the price.||Overall the ryokan lacks a loving touch and I can only assume that it is badly managed as the staff is clearly unmotivated. You can definitely do much better in Japan and a big lesson for me is to always look out for reviews from locals as they know best what the standard for such a place should be. |As someone who loves japan and has close ties to the country through work and friends, I am always happy to see positive reviews about the Japanese hospitality and service - however o encourage everyone who rated their stay highly here to try some other great ryokans in Japan to find out for yourselves how much...

I am really struggling with this review but decided to give a 2 star review as I took Price into consideration for this.|The ryokan is highly rated on here which might be down to different experiences or different expectations.|So let me get into why I was not impressed:|I know Japan very well, come here multiple times a year for work and some extra time and even lived here a few years ago. I have stayed in multiple Ryokans with lovely Onsens all over the country and usually prefer the more traditional buildings and atmospheres. In the mouth Fuji Region this seemed to be one of very few that meets that criteria.|However during our stay, I found that none of the usual Japanese „omotenashi“ really apply here. This ryokan had zero Japanese guests and catered exclusively to foreign tourists.|The rooms are nice but certainly not great- especially considering the price. No public onsen just a shallow marble tub outside each room which heavily lacks atmosphere or Beauty. The hotel misses elements of nature and relaxation throughout- which usually is staple of a nice traditional ryokan. |Then the staff- the non-Japanese staff actually tries very hard but they are clearly not aware of some of the customs at traditional places. The Japanese stuff might have been the coldest staff I have ever experienced in Japan. As I speak Japanese, I usually manage to get into a nice conversation with staff at such ryokans - at this one, that was not at all possible. They wouldn’t even speak Japanese with me. |The breakfast service was fine but felt really rushed and service was cold.|Dinner was an absolute nightmare - no accommodation was made for a serious allergy. Actually there was no concern whatsoever- we even identified the ingredient in a dish that the waiter said was ok… and when we pointed it out he just said „please don’t eat then“. Usually staff in Japan bends over backwards to make sure all is fine with your meal.|Also- the 24,000 yen/person kaiserlich dinner was served at such a speed that we had at times three courses in front of us. |Flexibility is definitely also not a word in their vocabulary - no changes can be made to anything - but that would be ok if the staff was just overall trying a bit harder. |Food quality was good but again not better than at similar places for half the price.||Overall the ryokan lacks a loving touch and I can only assume that it is badly managed as the staff is clearly unmotivated. You can definitely do much better in Japan and a big lesson for me is to always look out for reviews from locals as they know best what the standard for such a place should be. |As someone who loves japan and has close ties to the country through work and friends, I am always happy to see positive reviews about the Japanese hospitality and service - however o encourage everyone who rated their stay highly here to try some other great ryokans in Japan to find out for yourselves how much...

Stayed: May 6th, 2024 - May 8th, 2024

Room & Amenities: 7/10 The Deluxe Japanese Style Twin Room with Open Air Bath exuded luxury and cleanliness, capturing the essence of Japanese ambiance beautifully. The room boasted high-quality furniture and thoughtful amenities. However, our enjoyment was marred by the presence of ants, including some in the bed, which was an unfortunate downside.

Food & Service: 6/10 While the meals were expertly prepared and aesthetically pleasing, the portion sizes were overwhelming, and the menu lacked descriptions of ingredients. Language barriers with the japanese waitstaff made it challenging to inquire about the dishes, creating an uncomfortable dining experience. Despite the efforts of the staff, clearer communication would greatly enhance the overall dining satisfaction. We told the waiter we don’t feel like eating the pork, somehow he brought us on two different plates (one with beef and the other one with pork) and told us, in Japan we eat pork for this Menu. That was quite inconsiderate of him since all he had to do was just leave out the pork platter.

Ambiance: 7/10 While the service was commendable, there was an underlying sense of passive persuasion rather than genuine relaxation. While respectful and friendly, the atmosphere did not fully align with the tranquil ambiance one might expect from a luxury retreat.

Location: 9/10 Conveniently situated near Kawaguchiko railway station and Lake Kawaguchiko, the hotel's location offered easy access to transportation and stunning natural surroundings.

Shuttle Service: 5/10 There is a shuttle service from the hotel provided. It is like only 3 minutes drive to the train station. On the check out day, we told the receptionist we will check out at 09:00 but would like to use the shuttle service in the afternoon with our baggage stored at theirs while we go around the fuji during daytime. He was so inconsiderate and told us harshly, “Only shuttle service from 09:00-11:00. After that we can’t help.” We have walked around the whole lake area where most of the hotels (mostly 3 star Inns and Hotels) were providing all day shuttle service. This was a very big disappointment as well.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 6.5/10 Despite its attractive features and convenient location, the overall service experience at Fuji Onsenji Ryokan fell short of expectations, particularly given the premium pricing. While appreciative of the efforts of the staff, the language barriers and limitations in service left us feeling underwhelmed. For travelers seeking a truly immersive and seamless luxury experience, alternative accommodations may...