Ubuya Hotel Kawaguchiko: Lakefront Luxury with Mt Fuji Views

What Is Ubuya: Lakefront Ryokan with Every Room Facing Fuji

Ubuya (うぶや), formally known as Kozantei Ubuya (御殿亭うぶや), is a lakefront ryokan on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko — one of the Fuji Five Lakes in Yamanashi Prefecture. According to the official site, every room faces the lake with Mt. Fuji directly beyond, and all rooms include private open-air baths on the balcony.

This is not a budget-friendly option. Standard rooms start from approximately ¥90,000 (~$600) per night for two guests including dinner and breakfast. The price buys a specific experience: waking up to Fuji reflected in the lake, soaking in your private outdoor bath with the mountain in front of you, and multi-course kaiseki dining in a private room. For travelers who want the quintessential Japanese ryokan experience combined with Japan's most iconic view, Ubuya is among the most sought-after properties in the country.

The challenge is getting a room. The hotel books out months in advance during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. For the broader Yamanashi ryokan landscape, see our ryokan guide.

Rooms and the Mt Fuji View Experience

What the View Is Actually Like

Every room at Ubuya faces south across Lake Kawaguchiko toward Mt. Fuji. The view is unobstructed — no buildings, power lines, or other structures between you and the mountain. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the main room and the balcony onsen both frame the same vista.

Rooms are Japanese-style with tatami flooring and futon bedding prepared by staff each evening. Some rooms combine Western-style beds with a tatami sitting area. The interiors are traditional rather than modern-luxury — understated wood and paper finishes rather than marble or chrome.

Reviewers on TripAdvisor and Trip.com consistently highlight the balcony onsen as the standout feature. Sitting in hot spring water on your private balcony with Fuji filling the view is the experience most guests come for, and by all accounts it delivers.

When You Can (and Cannot) See Fuji

Fuji is not always visible. Clouds, haze, and rain can obscure the mountain entirely — this is a real possibility any time of year, but winter months (December-February) tend to have more cloud cover. The clearest views typically happen in the early morning and late afternoon, when clouds are less likely to sit on the summit.

Autumn (October-November) and spring (March-April) offer the best balance of visibility and pleasant weather. Summer is hazy. If your trip depends on seeing Fuji, stay two nights to improve your odds — a single night with bad weather means missing the view entirely.

Onsen: Private Balcony Baths and the Main Bath

All rooms include a private rotenburo (客室露天風呂, open-air bath) on the balcony — no additional charge. These use natural hot spring water and are available 24 hours. The privacy means you can bathe anytime without scheduling around other guests.

The hotel also has communal baths: a large indoor bath and an outdoor bath on the main bathing floor, open 15:00-01:00 and 06:00-10:00 according to Jalan listings. These are gender-separated and offer a different perspective on the lake view — lower to the water and more expansive than the room balconies.

For most guests, the private balcony bath is the main draw. The communal baths are a supplement rather than the highlight.

Kaiseki and Sukiyaki Dining

Dinner and breakfast are included in the room rate. According to Tabelog, dinner options include sukiyaki (すき焼き) with wagyu beef or a seafood kaiseki course — guests choose at the time of booking. Meals are served in private dining rooms or a semi-private second-floor dining area.

Breakfast is a Japanese-style multi-dish spread (和朝食). Reviewers note the quality is high but the style is traditional ryokan dining — expect many small dishes rather than a buffet.

For a deeper look at the dining experience, see our Kozantei Ubuya dining and booking details.

Booking Tips: How to Get a Room

How Far in Advance to Book

Ubuya is one of the most in-demand ryokans in the Fuji Five Lakes area. For peak seasons:

• Cherry blossom (April): Book 6+ months ahead
• Autumn foliage (November): Book 6+ months ahead
• Summer and New Year: Book 3-4 months ahead
• Off-peak weekdays: 1-2 months may be sufficient

Weekends book faster than weekdays year-round.

Official Site vs Third-Party Booking

According to reviewer advice, booking through the official website typically offers the best rates and widest room availability. Third-party sites like Jalan, Booking.com, and Agoda also list rooms but may have fewer options and higher prices.

The official site is primarily in Japanese. Use a browser translation tool or contact the hotel directly. Staff handle reservations competently even for international guests.

If Ubuya is fully booked, consider Konanso Onsen Kawaguchiko as an alternative lakefront ryokan with Fuji views at a lower price point.

Getting to Ubuya from Tokyo

By highway bus: Take the direct bus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Station — approximately 2 hours, ¥2,000-2,200 (~$13-15). From Kawaguchiko Station, the hotel offers a free shuttle (reserve in advance). The shuttle runs from 15:00 with the last pickup at 19:00.

By train: Take the Fuji Excursion limited express from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station — approximately 2 hours, ¥4,130 (~$27). Then shuttle or taxi.

By car: Chuo Expressway to Kawaguchiko IC, then about 10 minutes to the hotel. Free parking is available on-site.

From	Route	Time	Cost
Shinjuku	Highway bus to Kawaguchiko + shuttle	~2.5 hours	¥2,200 + free shuttle
Shinjuku	Fuji Excursion train + shuttle	~2.5 hours	¥4,130 + free shuttle
Central Tokyo	Drive via Chuo Expressway	~2 hours	Tolls + parking (free)

The shuttle must be reserved — contact the hotel by phone or through your booking confirmation. Taxis from Kawaguchiko Station are scarce, so do not rely on finding one without calling ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a night at Ubuya cost?

Standard Japanese rooms start from approximately ¥90,000 (~$600) per night for two guests, including dinner and breakfast (based on 2025 pricing). Premium rooms cost more. Prices vary by season — cherry blossom (April) and autumn foliage (November) are the most expensive periods. Check the official site for current rates.

Do all rooms at Ubuya have Mt Fuji views?

Yes — all rooms face Lake Kawaguchiko with Mt. Fuji directly beyond. Every room includes a private open-air bath on the balcony for bathing with the Fuji view. Visibility depends on weather — early mornings and late afternoons offer the clearest views. Cloud cover is more common in winter.

How far in advance should I book Ubuya?

At least 6 months ahead for peak seasons (cherry blossom in April, autumn foliage in November). 3-4 months for summer and holidays. Off-peak weekdays may be available 1-2 months out. Book through the official website for the best rates and availability.

How do I get to Ubuya from Tokyo?

Highway bus from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko Station (about 2 hours, ¥2,200), then the hotel's free shuttle (reserve in advance, 5-10 minutes). Alternatively, drive via the Chuo Expressway — about 2 hours with free parking at the hotel. The Fuji Excursion train from Shinjuku (¥4,130) is the most comfortable option.