10 Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0303, Japan
Checking into Ubuya felt like a small achievement in itself. The ryokan is notoriously difficult to book due to its the picture stunning views of Mount Fuji rising above Lake Kawaguchi.
After all, the ryokan is designed so that every room faces the mountain and lake., so I was really looking forward to this stay.
Unfortunately, we arrived during a period when the property was undergoing renovations (we are pre-notified during booking). As a result, many of the facilities were unavailable. During our stay, the main facilities we could access were the onsen and massage chairs. The good thing was that despite the ongoing works, we could hardly hear any renovation noise at night, so it didn't affect our sleep or overall comfort.
One thing that stood out during check-in was the service. After parking our car at the designated car park, staff personally drove us to the hotel. The service remained excellent throughout our stay. The staff were attentive, friendly and professional, making us feel well taken care of from arrival.
The Room
Our room was massive.
We booked a room with a private onsen, and it quickly became our favourite part of the stay. The room felt spacious, comfortable and incredibly peaceful. Everything about Ubuya feels quiet and serene.
Even the public onsen was surprisingly uncrowded. During one of my visits, there were only two other guests there, which made the experience feel almost like a private bath.
The Mt Fuji Situation
Of course, one of the biggest reasons for staying at Ubuya is the famous Mount Fuji view.
Sadly, the weather had other plans.
When we arrived, Fuji was nowhere to be seen. Still hopeful, I woke up early the next morning and immediately checked the window to see whether the fog had cleared.
In fact, it was even worse than the day before. 😓
After staring at a wall of fog for a few minutes, I accepted defeat and went back to sleep. I eventually woke up again for breakfast before enjoying a slow morning and checking out at 11am.
As much as we wished for that postcard-perfect view seeing Japan's most famous mountain is never guaranteed. Long-term visibility records show that Mount Fuji is fully visible only around one-third of the time on average, with weather conditions playing a huge role.
Looks like Mount Fuji simply wasn't in the mood to meet us this trip.
Food
The meals were very good. Everything was beautifully presented, interesting and delicious.
That said, nothing really stood out as a particular "wow" dish that I would still be thinking about months later. The overall standard was high, but there wasn't a signature item that stole the show.
One unexpected highlight was that we had an entire dining room to ourselves, which made the experience feel extra special and intimate.
Anniversary Surprise
As we were celebrating our anniversary, the hotel thoughtfully arranged commemorative photos and even gifted us a bottle of wine. It was a lovely gesture and one of those small touches that made the stay feel memorable.
The Only Minor Disappointment
My only little "bubu" came during check-out.
Since the staff had chauffeured us from the car park to the hotel during check-in, I naturally assumed a similar service would be offered when we left. Instead, we were simply given directions to the car park, which was a fair distance away.
It's a small issue, but because the arrival experience was so seamless, I had expected the same level of service at departure.
Overall Thoughts
Even without the famous Mount Fuji view and despite the ongoing renovations, Ubuya was still a very pleasant stay.
The quiet atmosphere, spacious room, private onsen, attentive service and thoughtful anniversary touches made it memorable. Would I love to return someday when the renovations are complete and the weather is clearer?
Absolutely.
Because let's be honest, I still need to meet Mount Fuji.
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