At HOSHINOYA Fuji, glamping meets Japanese elegance as guests enjoy immersive nature, curated comforts, and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.
Imagine cool, fresh air on your face as you’re snuggled by a roaring fire, facing one of the most iconic mountains in the world. You increase the volume of your favorite song on Bang & Olufsen speakers and take in the view that has been a source of artistic inspiration since the 11th century.
An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Japan’s Mount Fuji is breathtaking, especially from the balcony of a HOSHINOYA Fuji cabin. Nestled amidst the national park, on an overlook of Lake Kawaguchi, HOSHINOYA Fuji offers stylish travelers a “glamping” (glamorous camping) experience unlike any other. Last week, we had the pleasure of spending one night at this resort and needless to say, it was truly an unforgettable experience.
HOSHINOYA Fuji is a twenty-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Station and a convenient five-minute walk from Oishi Park. We were greeted with smiles upon entering the first reception area, a minimalistic open space with airy high ceilings and a wall adorned with colorful backpacks. To fit the theme of the resort, guests are given backpacks full of camping gear such as a pair of Nikon binoculars, a flashlight headband, and homemade biscottis. After choosing our favorite backpack, our luggage was put into the back of a fashionable Jeep… and we were ready to go.
The resort itself is located 100 meters up the slope of a mountain, within a red pine forest. We checked in at the front desk—a viewpoint in itself with gorgeous wooden interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows—and headed to our cabin.
The first thing I noticed was the unparalleled beauty of Fujisan, a million-dollar view seemingly painted on floor-to-ceiling windows. The room itself was minimally but tastefully decorated, highlighting the scenery and drawing us to the outdoors. All 40 cabins here come with exquisite views and give the feeling of being suspended mid-air, right above a forest. The cabin is equipped with an indoor view-gazing area as well as a spacious terrace with a sofa large enough for two.
We took a moment to enjoy Fujisan before heading over to the Cloud Terrace, the resort’s common area in the woods where seasonal sweets and drinks were being served by the campfire. There were two DIY stations with baumkuchen and sparkling wine cocktails. Guests were invited to create their own drinks from a selection of fresh herbs, wine, Japanese soda, and premium fruit syrups. We shared the afternoon beneath a canopy of trees, surrounded by the sounds of rustling leaves, bird calls, and cackling fire.
There were guests with marshmallows on sticks by the campfire, taking in the backdrop of seemingly never-ending rows of pine and cedar trees. There was a wood chopping activity going on nearby, and soft breeze blowing through the air. Every now and then, there were sounds of a relaxing Barafon, an African wind instrument, coming from the mini-concert in the forest. HOSHINOYA Fuji is rich in amenities, offering the perfect balance between comfort and the outdoors.
The next day, our alarms sounded at 6 AM for us to join the Jukai (Sea of Trees) Nature Tour, one of the unique experiences offered by HOSHINOYA Fuji. A guide showed us around the Aokigahara-Jukai and brought us into a fascinating lava cave where we instantly felt the temperature drop. We all shared a moment of silence and serenity, cleansing our five senses before heading back to the resort to have a tastier breakfast with fresh palates.
Back at the cabin, a Glamping Master set up a morning breakfast picnic on the balcony. It was a wooden box of fine breakfast goodies. With Fujisan as our esteemed guest, we enjoyed kefir yogurt with beautifully colored jams and nutty granola, Spanish omelet, homemade sausages, creamy carrot soup, a fresh strawberry salad, and a Dutch oven-baked bread.
We savored the view for a few more hours, then it was time to go. After saying our goodbyes, we checked out and headed to Kawagchiko Station. It was a scenic ride, and after taking two express trains, we were back in Tokyo. See you again, Fujisan, it was a pleasure meeting you.
HOSHINOYA Fuji is part of the innovative HOSHINOYA Collection, Each HOSHINOYA Destination offers a different holiday concept.
Praevaryn is a Senior Correspondent for TravelDailyNews, covering travel and tourism, technology, and trends shaping Southeast Asian markets.
AloJapan.com