Ubuya — Hotel in Fujikawaguchiko

Our stay at Ubuya, contrary to the endless fawning reviews, was an unmitigated disaster that demands a stark warning to any unsuspecting traveler. If you're seeking a luxurious retreat, FLEE IMMEDIATELY! This place is not merely disappointing; it's a decaying, putrid stain on the very soul of Japanese hospitality. And let me warn you about their vile, manipulative booking tactics: they lure you in with the fraudulent promise that reservations only open a mere three months prior to your preferred date, yet simultaneously, with insidious glee, claim to only be cancellable a full 365 days before! This is a twisted, deceptive trap, ensuring you're irrevocably ensnared after making a booking.

From the moment we stepped inside, a cloying, putrid, and undeniably moldy stench – a truly nauseating assault – permeated every single corner of what is supposedly a high-end establishment. This wasn't a subtle issue; it was a constant, gag-inducing, inescapable nightmare, screaming that the "luxury" they peddle ends precisely where basic, fundamental hygiene should begin. And let me be unequivocally clear: the location is NOT a saving grace; it is, in fact, a complete disgrace, unable to salvage a single shred of this utterly wretched experience.

The promised amenities were a complete and utter sham. The so-called "massage chairs," touted as a perk, were grossly, insultingly insufficient for the number of desperate patrons. Worse, they were shamefully monopolized for hours on end by guests literally sprawled out and sleeping in them, rendering them entirely, infuriatingly unusable. And do not even dare mention the phantom vending machines – a blatant, audacious lie advertised prominently and even introduced during checking in, but nowhere, absolutely nowhere, to be found. Such deceptive, fraudulent practices are unforgivable and utterly beneath even a roadside motel.

The state of the rooms was a genuine horror show. The bedding was not just old, but shockingly, disgustingly yellowed, and upon closer, nauseating inspection, riddled with old, unidentifiable, festering spots. It was sickeningly obvious that these items hadn't seen a proper, thorough cleaning or a basic replacement in what must be decades. The entire ryokan felt as if it were on the very precipice of a complete structural breakdown, a crumbling, rotten façade barely masking an impending, inevitable rot-down into ruin.

This place audaciously claims to be a 5-star hotel, a preposterous, contemptible assertion that induces immediate, bitter laughter when confronted with the squalid reality. Their dining options are beyond subpar; they are an insult to the palate, a bland, uninspired, joyless offering that tastes anything but luxurious. And in a supposed "5-star" establishment, one demands, one expects basic, fundamental modern conveniences; yet, this place is so laughably, pathetically antiquated, it doesn't even feature international or USB ports for your devices! You will be stranded, uncharged, and furious.

The "selfie area" was the lamest, most utterly pathetic excuse for a photo opportunity imaginable, utterly devoid of any shred of charm, creativity, or even basic effort. The grotesque abundance of wheelchairs prominently displayed at the entrance created an atmosphere so grim, so utterly devoid of life, it felt like a sick, twisted joke.

I am, at this very moment, typing this scathing indictment, perched on the filthy, gross tatami, seething with profound, burning regret for every single choice that led us to this hellhole. This experience has been so utterly appalling, so monumentally soul-crushing, that we have already secured alternative lodging and will be getting the absolute HELL out of this festering nightmare first thing in the morning! The only reason I am trapped in this purgatory for another minute is because this fraudulent "5-star" establishment actually SHUTS DOWN its reception at a...

A Cautionary Review for Foreign Travellers Seeking a Traditional Ryokan Experience by Mount Fuji

If you're a foreign traveler looking for a traditional Ryokan experience near Mount Fuji, I strongly recommend choosing any hotel but this one. Our experience was deeply disappointing from the moment we arrived.

We tried calling the hotel three times from Kawaguchiko Station for their shuttle service—no one answered. Left with no choice, we took a taxi. Upon arrival, before even allowing us to enter, the staff demanded our reservation. When they couldn’t locate it on their small slip of paper, they implied we either did not have a reservation or had booked the wrong hotel. It wasn’t until we showed our email confirmation that they finally let us in.

The check-in process was unnecessarily long and involved multiple rules being explained. To our surprise, there was no turndown or cleaning service during our stay, despite paying over 600 CHF (720 USD) per night—an unheard-of practice for a so-called five-star hotel.

When we finally entered our room, it was both dated and dirty. There were visible scratches and stains on the walls, and shockingly, hair (including pubic hair) in the toilet and around the room. The shower and various parts of the room were filled with black mold. None of the appliances worked including air conditioning, when we called downstairs and asked if this was normal they seemed unfazed, said their was nothing they could do as they were full. Unacceptable for a so called 5-star hotel.

We tried to move past this and enjoy the view, as well as the traditional dinner offering. However, the meal was lackluster at best. While the service was attentive, the food was severely underwhelming—instant ramen from the Lawson down the road was far more enjoyable.

The onsen is average but incredibly dated. Facilities like ping pong and table hockey seem more like gimmicks to create the illusion of amenities, but in reality, everything is old and desperately in need of renovation. The owner should be genuinely appalled at the state of the hotel. This is, at best, a 2-3 star experience, not five as advertised.

Furthermore, the attitude towards Western foreigners was noticeably dismissive and unwelcoming, which only added to the unpleasant experience. This establishment is clearly monetizing the views of Fuji rather than providing quality service or comfort. Frankly, I’m baffled as to how this hotel has maintained a five-star rating—I wouldn’t be surprised if the health department would have concerns upon inspection.

For those considering a stay in the area, I highly recommend choosing Kukuna instead. It’s modern and well-kept, and the service is far superior. Save your money and avoid the disappointment.

I genuinely hope management sees the following and does something to change the standards of how they run their hotel, it's just...

We are currently staying at Hotel Ubuya and feel compelled to share our experience. As seasoned travelers who frequently stay in luxury properties around the world, I can confidently say: Hotel Ubuya is absolutely not a 5-star hotel, nor does it meet even basic expectations of luxury.

Mold in the rooms — unacceptable. We are traveling with our baby and were shocked to find visible black mold in our room. The moment you enter, there’s a strong musty odor that signals poor maintenance and ventilation. When we brought it to the staff’s attention, they offered us another room — but it had the same problem. Mold in multiple rooms is a serious health and hygiene issue, and inexcusable at this price point.

No extra pillows — baffling. Each guest is allotted one pillow, and when I politely requested additional pillows, I was told we could only receive one extra pillow — not one each, just one. Are my husband and I supposed to share it? This level of service would be disappointing even at a budget hotel, let alone a so-called luxury property.

Dated and poorly maintained rooms. I don’t know if it’s just the room we booked (the 56 sqm Japanese-style suite) or all rooms, but ours looks like it hasn’t been updated since the 1980s. The wallpaper is stained, the paint is peeling, the carpet in the bathroom is dirty, and the wooden floor seating area beside the tatami is literally chipping. It feels more like a forgotten roadside inn than a premium ryokan.

Misleading room size. The 56 sqm room is not fully usable. A section of it — nearly the size of a small walk-in closet — is locked off and filled with storage items like extra tatami mats. If it’s locked and guests can’t use it, why include it in the room size? Why not store those items elsewhere so guests can access the entire space they’re paying a premium for?

Service and communication — deeply disappointing. I’m trying to give the benefit of the doubt and hope this is simply a communication gap between the Japanese-speaking staff and non-Japanese guests. But if the dismissiveness and lack of accommodation are deliberate, it’s truly appalling. We felt more ignored than welcomed.

Ubuya coasts on its view of Mt. Fuji — and yes, the view is stunning — but everything else falls dramatically short of a luxury experience. For the price we paid, this stay has been a huge letdown. I hope the management reads this and reflects, because right now, Hotel Ubuya is doing a disservice to the hospitality Japan is known...