Forest Inn Chipmunk

A pension surrounded by forest beside Lake Yamanaka

Forest Inn Chipmunk is a pension on high ground beside Lake Yamanaka. It took over Pension Chipmunk, which had been in business since 1984, and reopened after renovation in spring 2018. The inn sits in a quiet setting surrounded by forest, and the glass-walled, open-atrium lobby looks out on the grandeur of Mount Fuji.

Two private-hire baths

The hotel describes two baths: a view bath looking out toward Mount Fuji, and an open-air bath scented by the forest breeze. Both are used as private-hire baths. Rakuten Travel's listing also highlights the communal bath and open-air bath among the inn's points of interest, and an open-air bath is an unusual feature for a pension.

A place where pets can stay with you

Pets are welcome to stay. There are pet amenity services, walking paths through rich natural surroundings, and a dog run. Small, medium, large and extra-large dogs are accepted, as are cats and small animals; for large dogs, please consult the inn in advance. Owners bring their own pet supplies, including pet sheets, paw-wiping towels, towels, a leash and food.

Rooms and meals

There are 10 rooms in total, equipped with a TV, Wi-Fi, a bidet-function toilet (in some rooms), body soap, shampoo and conditioner. Free drinks are served in the tea lounge, and a shared refrigerator and microwave are available. Meals are served in the dining room, and alongside the plan with breakfast and dinner you can choose a room-only plan, a plan with breakfast, or a plan with dinner.

What to know when traveling with children

Rakuten Travel's listing states that for co-sleeping with a child under school age, there may be up to one child per adult, and children who have not yet started elementary school as well as elementary school children can stay. Guests also note in reviews that the inn has an open-air bath, which is unusual for a pension, so the family can enjoy a soak together. Whether children who are not yet out of diapers may bathe is not stated, so please confirm with the hotel in advance.

Access and shuttle

By car, the inn is about 15 minutes from the Yamanakako IC on the Higashi-Fujigoko Road and about 40 minutes from the Gotemba IC on the Tomei Expressway. Using public transportation, you can come by train and highway bus as far as the Asahigaoka area of Lake Yamanaka and then arrange a shuttle to the Asahigaoka bus stop, with advance notice required. In winter, from November through March, a heating charge of 1,100 yen per room applies separately, and because it snows around Lake Yamanaka, bringing studless winter tires or chains is recommended.

Things to note

• All rooms in the building are non-smoking, with a designated smoking area
• Curfew is at 11 p.m., and the last check-in is at 9:30 p.m.
• Stays with a large dog require advance consultation by phone
• A heating charge of 1,100 yen per room applies separately from November through March