Kaneyamaen Bessho yada (Bessho Sasa) — Hotel in Fujiyoshida

First of all, pls disregard the review about this a racist hotel. ||Hotel has a strict check in policy and you agreed to that but yet reached the hotel at 7pm and expected a warm welcome, meals and service? ||Hotel would have to pay for the staffs to stay back just because of your inadequate planning??||Now back to the real deal of Bessho Sasa, it’s an premium level for housing guests on the level 3 & 4 of the hotel Kaneyamaen.||When we were there, the upper levels were still under refurbishment but little disruptions to us.||The magnificent Kyo kaiseiki meals if not appears hurried (courses was served at a speedy pace) was perfectly done and presented. It does not make the serving any slower even if you choose the option of 6:30pm or 7pm thinking the staffs might want to finish off early and head home into the night. That’s the reason for a four star grading cos kaiseiki is meant to be enjoyed course after course at your own pace and. It dictated by the servers.||Taiku performance at main lobby was met with enthusiasm drummers who arranged the guests seats, rearranged back, host the bingo game every single night. We were there for two nights and each performances were done with immaculate precisions and synchronisation. ||After the performance, Bessho Sasa guests were also given drink voucher to be enjoyed with a live piano recital at 9:10pm every night. That was unspoken by lots of reviews and management and it’s a welcoming gestures. Though we thought it’s only a one time coupons, the family were presented another set together with the breakfast vouchers each day. We thought that’s good hospitality!| |Breakfast was briefed to be crowded at 0800 but only 50% occupancy in the large dining hall, choose the corner of the dining area for a majestic morning view of Mount Fuji! ||You can skipped Cha do or Japanese tea ceremony at the tea house cos all the ladies did was to plonk your ready made green tea and dessert on your table and much leave you alone. ||An wonderful experience in Kyoto make up for their lackluster efforts in the tea house. ||Wonderfully manicured Japanese zen garden and a nature river at the back makes a beautiful backdrops to your holidays pictures. There’s a unmentioned open air tea garden where you can take pictures with a nice giant umbrella and a bold red cover on the seats making the dark and dull greens and backdrops a standup for your Instagram worthy pictures.||Requests to use the shuttle service was a Breeze at our own personalised manned hotel desk on the fourth level. Names were submitted and driver were identify you though this service was not used frequently by Japanese who drove to the hotel. If you do see a Japanese man, he’s always smiling and treated you as a distinguished guest even to the extend of sending you off at the lift. He works only 1000-1900 though. ||Lounge with average Japanese vineyard white wine and superb sparkling Japanese wine were provided together with the yummy mt Fuji green tea cakes and snacks were catered. However we did not see any fruits as briefed by our welcome server.||Overall a pleasant stay and accommodating distinguished service by...

3/5 for service and overall atmosphere compared to other ryokans and onsen villages. If you want a chill ryokan experience at this price, this is not the place.

4/5 because the garden is spectacular, the view of Fuji is as you imagine it to be, and the additional free things made the value I paid somewhat worth it.

NEGATIVES (mainly service and atmosphere): 👎🏻 Maybe it was because I came early (10AM, which I notified them in advance) but I took a taxi and people did not come to help me with my luggage until I was physically putting them on a cart myself. 👎🏻 Swimming pool is only open in July 👎🏻 When I was checking in earlier, I was given no explanation about the amenities that I could use while I waited for my room (the Public Bath opens at 11AM and the garden has many beautiful spots that are nice to see while it is empty — I had to ask for a map though). 👎🏻 There is an ugly white net that covers the view from the private bath in the balcony. Luckily it is removable so I pushed it to the side but it is scary to remove it yourself as you have to stand on the tub and tape or pin it to the ceiling/walls. 👎🏻 I wish there were more shuttle times offered for pick up and drop off especially as they are already at the stations to bring people back and forth. I can understand why they don’t but for the price of the room and the fact shuttle is reservation only, it would be a good service especially as it is difficult to reach the hotel through public transportation (bus is always at least an hour late) 👎🏻 The place is not relaxing elsewhere except the room. The hotel is MASSIVE but also means there are a lot of people everywhere. Instead of a zen spa, it felt more like being on a cruise—crowded and a little chaotic with people being shuffled between different parts of the hotel. The public baths are more like a rowdy after work bath house, than a relaxing ryokan. Folks were noisy and inconsiderate, rules were not enforced (ie. had their towels and hair in the water, didn’t dry off)

Positives: 👍🏼 Saki-San was my server for Kaiseki dinner and she was the kindest person I’ve met in this hotel. The food quality was hit or miss but mostly a hit and the ingredients used were clearly fresh. 👍🏼 The Mizuho room is totally relaxing. I stayed on the 5th floor with a view of Fuji and my favorite thing to do was soak, shower, and drink a free fresh tea, Nespresso coffee, wine or beer while looking at the view. 👍🏼 The inclusive dinner, breakfast, and club room had free alcohol and quality ingredients in their dishes—though the dishes were sometimes over cooked. 👍🏼 The Mizuho room is beautifully designed and the beds are very comfortable. 👍🏼 All the free things brought in a good value add. Free tea in the tea house, free hot sake in the back garden, a meditation / writing hut, free night lounge seat and drink. Karaoke rooms downstairs as well though I did not use them. 👍🏼 Make sure to watch the Taiko drum show, it was very good! 👍🏼 Onsen bath water and facility quality was exceptional. I recommend going to the public bath at 11AM when it opens before your check in. It was empty, clean and they have...

We had a lovely time at Kaneyamaen Hotel.

We stayed for two nights on a half-board plan (breakfast and dinner), in a room with a private onsen and beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. We were three: two adults and our two-year-old daughter.

Service: Although communication was occasionally a challenge depending on who you spoke with, the staff were always incredibly kind and eager to help. We felt in good hands at all times.

Rooms: Spacious, clean, and very comfortable—especially the tatami beds. Booking a room with a private onsen is absolutely worth it.

Breakfast: Breakfast was good. The food was mostly Japanese-style (lots of fish and rice), with a few Western options (e.g., croissants). The omelets were fantastic—I can’t recommend them enough.

Dinner: We had multi-course set menus both nights. It was interesting to try a variety of Japanese dishes, but I wouldn’t say the meals were memorable. It’s probably not something I’d repeat if I stayed again, especially with so many great restaurant options nearby (e.g., Cheval). We were also disappointed that there were no proper kids' options—aside from plain rice. Not even grilled chicken. We ended up having to bring in food for our daughter from outside.

Other tips:

The schedule for hotel amenities (e.g., pool, wine bar) can be tricky—they open and close multiple times a day. Plan ahead and double-check times before heading out.

I can’t recommend the rooftop onsen with views of Mt. Fuji enough. It's worth waking up early for. Men have access in the morning (5:00–7:30 a.m. approx.), women in the evening.

The hotel is just a few minutes’ drive from Fuji Q Highland and Thomas Land—we had a memorable visit there with our daughter.

Conclusion: The hotel offers a rich, immersive Japanese experience and makes for a well-deserved treat. Between the views of Mt. Fuji, the traditional meals, complimentary kimono rentals, cinematic interior design, hot springs, and the incredibly kind staff, it’s a place where you’ll truly...