After spending a few days in Tokyo, my fellow fashionista-traveler-friend and I were ready to go deeper into Japan. After some steadfast google searching we discovered the Hotel Mizuno. Nestled right above Lake Kawaguchi and across from the majestic Mt. Fuji, the views from the balcony of each room are unparalleled, even on a cloudy day.
Guests at Hotel Mizuno are welcomed upon arrival at the train station with a free shuttle up to the property. Every detail is appreciated here, right down to the cute Mt. Fuji cookies that await you on your coffee table.
The names of each arriving guest are carefully written on a welcome board outside of the main entrance. Little touches like this make a hotel worth returning to.
Hotel Mizuno offers Western-style beds, but it’s a must to experience the traditional futon bedding – a tatami (woven-straw) floor in one of the Japanese-style rooms. While you’re out exploring the quaint little lake town or dining on udon in the early evening, the staff will come in and set up the bedding. Opening the door to perfectly made futons is an unforgettable feeling that no trip to Japan should be without.
We had arrived on a bleak morning and the mountain was covered with clouds. The attendant at the train station suggested that we get up early and it might be clear, if we’re lucky.
“How can two girls come all the way to Mt Fuji and not see it?” asked my friend. I said, “Of course they’ll get to see it!”
After a day of exploring the many sites and attractions around the lake, we still hadn’t caught a glimpse of the mountain. We looked up the sunrise time and it was close to 5am, so we woke up at 4:45, sipped on hot green tea and dressed in the yukatas provided to us by the hotel while we awaited our majesty to show herself.
The revealing of Mount Fuji was like a magician slowly pulling a rabbit out of his hat. Teasing us, tricking us, keeping us on the edge of our seats with expectations of what might happen next. Slowly the clouds dispersed, and we caught a glimpse of the white mountain tops reflection on the placid water before the clouds cleared entirely and filled our eyes with wonder.
If the view from the hotel room isn’t enough to put a smile on your face, the view from the Onsen surely will. Soaking in the steamy water after getting out of the big city is the perfect formula for relaxation.
After a soak and some ordered-in sushi, there was no better way to end the day than sitting by the fire. Hotel Mizuno’s bar staff was extremely pleasant and recommended a brilliant glass of Japanese red. One of my favorite things about the hotel is the library. I was feeling rather existential after the “revealing of Mt. Fuji,” I opted for some thought provoking text courtesy of Jean-Paul Sartre, which was a more than perfect way to soak up the experiences of the day.
If you’re on the way to Japan and are planning your own getaway to Mt. Fuji, I couldn’t recommend this hotel more. Cheers to Hotel Mizuno! I can’t wait to go back.
Stay tuned for my “City Guide : Mt. Fuji” Coming soon!!
Written by Jacqueline Chambers
Jacqueline Chambers is the founder of TGIFguide. She uses her innate skills as a natural “connector” to serve businesses, brands and individuals in the LA area and beyond.
