Akaishi Ryokan — Local services in Fujikawaguchiko

I booked this hotel for two friends.Because they only took payment at the hotel I had a Japanese friend call them to confirm it was OK to forward the money prior to my friends arrival as it was a gift. We sent the money from Japan. On arrival my friends were told that they had to pay as no money had arrived. This cost them all of their cash. so now they are embarrassed AND have no money.||||They called me very distressed. I could only apologise and say I would sort it out.||The next day we went to the post office to check on the money. It had arrived and been signed for 2 weeks before their arrival. Akaishi still denied receiving it until we presented them with the EXACT time the letter was delivered. ||||My friends had left by then, so we asked them to return the money asap. They said that they had made a mistake and thought my ladies were the party of Lee from CHINA!! My ladies are from UK and both blond. They then said that Lee hadn't paid and suggested it was our fault. They said they had given my friends a discount so would sent the amount they had charged to me. Obviously this was not acceptable. The money did arrive, but they still insisted that it was them who were right and we were wrong.||||Don't trust this lady. Even my Japanese friend said...

An average ryokan that is best known for having good views of Fuji from the inside. However, having good views of Fuji is hardly special for Lake Kawaguchiko. Serviceable with some heart, but I would look for other ryokans in the area.

During my stay, it seems that there was only one proprietor handling the ryokan. He was very friendly and helpful, but may have been overworked.

The indoors public bath was incredibly small (could fit at most 4 men at a time) and felt a little dirty.

Bedding is not entirely clean. I found quite a few strands of hair of different lengths in the bedsheets. The room curtains and tatami mat have tears and holes. Doors are difficult to properly close. Bathrooms are separated from rooms and the toilet stalls are very small.

Breakfast was decent, nothing too fancy, but good enough. You will be told what time breakfast will be served (8AM in my case). Please notify the owner if you intend to skip breakfast.

There are no locations for dinner nearby - you will have to walk in the dark for at least 10 minutes to the...

Average ryokan located directly on the lake. We paid 30k yen for it - this price is certainly too high for what it was.

No bathroom in room - 2 female toilets for the whole hotel. 3 sinks for ALL guests to share. The futons were charming but we had to make them up when we arrived. Walls are thin so you can hear your neighbors talking and walking around. Restaurants in the area are alright - we had pretty decent Yakiniku but there aren’t too many other options. Breakfast was traditional Japanese and quite big.

They run a propane heater in the common spaces so sometimes reception smells of propane. I’d pay no more than 18k for this stay. It’s a small step up from hostel living. Views are...