I Looked Into Shuhokaku Kogetsu

This blog has mostly focused on campgrounds and day-use hot springs, but I also like to occasionally check out overnight accommodations too, for those days when I think, 'Let's skip camping and do a hotel getaway instead.'

This time I decided to look into Shuhokaku Kogetsu, located on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi. What got me interested was learning that the separate outdoor baths for men and women are named "Red Fuji" and "Black Fuji" — I was curious what kind of view you could actually see from them.

What Kind of Inn Is Shuhokaku Kogetsu?

Apparently it's a hot spring inn located on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture. Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 10:00, which seems fairly typical for this type of inn.

As for room rates, the official site doesn't list specific prices in the main text — according to the FAQ, rates vary by season, day of the week, number of guests, and room type, so you need to contact the inn directly. That said, pricing for children is explained in relatively more detail: elementary school students are charged 70% of the adult rate, children aged 3–6 are charged 50% of the adult rate (with a kids' lunch included), and if meals are not included there's a separate facility usage fee. Children aged 2 and under stay free, it seems.

Reservations can apparently be made either through the official site's online booking system or by phone. The cancellation policy follows a fairly standard structure where costs increase closer to the stay date — 10% of the room rate for cancellations made 15–21 days before the stay, and 100% for same-day cancellations or no-shows. There appears to be parking for about 50 cars, though I couldn't tell from the official site whether it's free or paid.

In terms of access, there's apparently a free shuttle bus for guests from the nearest station, Kawaguchiko Station. Pickup runs from 14:30 to 18:30, and drop-off from 8:00 to 10:15, both on a roughly 30-minute schedule — which feels like a nice option for anyone not planning to drive.

Komorin

Even though I technically have a driver's license, I never actually drive, so learning there's a shuttle bus from the station put my mind at ease. If you're choosing a place to stay without a car in mind, information like this feels pretty important.

A Wide Range of Rooms and Outdoor Bath Options

There appear to be 13 room types in total, and a major feature is that every single room offers a view of Mt. Fuji. Broadly speaking, the rooms fall into four groups: standard Japanese-style rooms without an outdoor bath, rooms with a foot bath, third-floor rooms with a hot spring outdoor bath, and second-floor rooms with an outdoor bath. Among these, the second-floor "Special Room" is described as the top-tier option, featuring a 10-tatami Japanese-style room, a 22-tatami living room, and a dining area, complete with twin beds, an outdoor bath, a foot bath, and a balcony.

The large communal bath has separate outdoor sections for men and women, and apparently they don't rotate. The women's bath is named "Red Fuji" and the men's bath is named "Black Fuji" — apparently you can catch views of Mt. Fuji's slopes turning red in the morning light, and under the right conditions, even see the mountain's silhouette rising in the moonlight. Hours run from check-in until 24:00, and again from 5:00 to 9:30 the next morning. There doesn't seem to be a day-use bathing plan, so it looks like you'd need to stay overnight to see this view.

There are also private baths called "Kokou" and "Gekkou" (roughly meaning "Lake Light" and "Moonlight"), available for 3,300 yen tax included per group for 50 minutes, as well as a renovated foot bath terrace called "Suigetsu" in the garden. The foot bath terrace apparently offers a complimentary welcome drink between 14:30 and 18:30, which sounds like a nice spot to unwind right after checking in.

Checking Out the Meals and Other Facilities

Dinner is apparently a kaiseki course meal that changes monthly, while breakfast is a buffet-style meal served at the restaurant called "Therme." There also seems to be a private dining area called "Kachofugetsu," with four rooms named "Ka" (flower), "Cho" (bird), "Fu" (wind), and "Getsu" (moon), though I couldn't find details on the official site about where or when exactly dinner and breakfast are served in each case.

The building also seems to offer the following facilities:

• Lounge "Tsukimisou": a space to relax while taking in the lakeside scenery
• Gift shop "Kaori no Mori": sells local wine and sake
• Table tennis room and massage room: facilities for casually spending time on-site
• Spa treatments: an optional menu including facials and body aromatherapy oil treatments
• Coin laundry: three coin-operated washer-dryers on the first floor
• Rental and arrangement services for bicycles, fishing gear, rowboats, and more
• Two wheelchairs available

I couldn't find clear information about Wi-Fi availability, smoking policy, or details on in-room amenities anywhere on the official site's pages or FAQ. If these matter to you, it might be worth confirming at the time of booking. Also, pets aren't allowed, though a nearby pet hotel is apparently recommended instead.

I Also Looked Into Nearby Food Options

On the official site's page introducing local food recommendations from the Kogetsu staff, several restaurants were listed along with driving times.

• Houtou Fudo Kawaguchiko Kitahonten: 3 minutes by car
• LAKE BAKE (bakery): 3 minutes by car
• Marushige (Western food/steak): 8 minutes by car
• Tsukasa Shokudo (huge portions, katsudon): 11 minutes by car
• Takekawa Udon (Yoshida-style udon): 11 minutes by car
• Kanyoen (yakiniku): 11 minutes by car
• Unagi Kappo Chikara (eel cuisine): 12 minutes by car

As for sightseeing spots, the official site's nearby leisure page lists places like the Kubota Itchiku Art Museum, Kawaguchiko Herb Hall, Kawaguchiko Museum of Art, and the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, but it only gave addresses without specific distances or travel times from the inn. If you're taking the sightseeing loop bus, it looks like getting off at "Kubota Itchiku Art Museum" is the closest route.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

I checked using the official "My Area Communication Simulation" tool by entering the address for this facility's location.

The overall rating came back as "C." Actual signal conditions on-site can vary depending on your device, the building's structure, and exactly where you are, so if this matters to you, it might be worth checking in advance.

Komorin

Hearing a "C" rating makes me a little wary, but I suppose you could also look at it as an excuse to put your phone down during outdoor bath time and just focus on the view. Since I only use Rakuten Mobile, I'd want to go in mentally prepared if I ever visit.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, Shuhokaku Kogetsu comes across as a hot spring inn with a real focus on views, where all 13 room types offer a view of Mt. Fuji. Between the separate men's and women's outdoor baths, "Red Fuji" and "Black Fuji," the rooms with foot baths, and the private baths, there seem to be plenty of ways to enjoy the scenery and hot springs beyond just your room.

That said, I couldn't find detailed information about room rates, Wi-Fi, or smoking policy on the official site, so it's probably worth contacting them directly when booking to confirm. As for Rakuten Mobile, the signal came back with a C rating, so if that's a concern, it might be reassuring to check the destination address using Rakuten Mobile's official tool.

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Related Links

• Official Site