Forest Villa Yamanakako

Whole-cottage rentals in the woods, a 5-minute walk from Lake Yamanaka

Forest Villa Yamanakako is a set of 4 whole-cottage rentals on tree-lined grounds in Yamanakako-mura. The shore of Lake Yamanaka is about a 5-minute walk away, and the Yamanakako Interchange on the Fuji-Goko Road is about 10 minutes by car. Supermarkets and convenience stores are close by, and from the terrace you can see Mount Fuji towering nearby. Because each cottage stands on its own, you never have to worry about noise from next door or about your children's voices carrying, and you can spend your stay as if it were the family's own holiday home. That is the property's greatest appeal. Reviews from families stand out on Rakuten Travel, including one guest who wrote that their wife, their children and their dog all said they didn't want to go home.

2LDK cottages with a Japanese-style tatami room and a loft, for a family of up to 6

The cottages come in 4 types, Buildings A through D. The mainstays for families are Buildings A and C, both 2LDK (two rooms plus a combined living, dining and kitchen area) and sleeping up to 6. Building A has a kitchen and dining area plus an 8-mat Japanese-style tatami room, a Western-style room with twin beds, and a loft with 2 folding single beds. The tatami room is handy for a baby's nap or a diaper change, and the loft, reached by a ladder, feels like a secret hideout to children. Buildings B and D sleep up to 4 and suit couples and small groups. You can also ask about booking several cottages or reserving the entire property, which works for three-generation trips and groups. Do note that reviews mention heat tends to build up in the loft in summer, so in hot weather it is safest to sleep in the tatami room or the Western-style room.

A full kitchen, with a bring-your-own, cook-for-yourself approach to meals

No meals are served. You either cook in your cottage's kitchen or bring in food from restaurants or takeout. The kitchen is fully stocked with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, rice cooker, coffee maker, pots, frying pans and dishes, so you can warm up baby food or cook your children's favorite dishes however you like. There is also a washing machine (it cannot be used from December to February because of freezing), and being able to wash spilled-on clothes right away is a real help for families. Check-in is generally contactless, which makes for a very flexible stay.

Barbecues and campfires on the terrace, plus children's bicycles to rent

On each cottage's private terrace you can use a barbecue grill set (3,300 yen, with charcoal and firelighter; bring your own food) or a campfire set (1,500 yen, with one bundle of firewood). Both require a reservation and a fee. Guests praise being able to leave the cleanup to the staff, and one review said the fire was easy to light and watching the flames made for a special time. A parasol is set up permanently, so a little rain is no problem. Barbecues and campfires both run until 10 p.m., and the barbecue is unavailable from November to mid-March. Mountain bike rentals include children's sizes in 20 and 24 inches (1,000 yen), so you can head out for a ride around Lake Yamanaka. Up to 3 dogs per cottage are welcome (1,500 yen per dog; small to medium-sized dogs kept indoors, with a vaccination certificate required).

Staying here with children

There is no children's rate. Children under 3 stay free only when co-sleeping with an adult in the same futon or bed; in all other cases they are counted as adults. Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and checkout is at 11 a.m. You are in the middle of a forest, so expect insects and wild animals to be around and make use of the insect repellent provided. There are ordinary homes nearby, so the rule is to keep quiet from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. the next morning. With no meals served and no shop on site, the golden rule is to finish your shopping before you check in. These cottages make an easygoing Lake Yamanaka stay with the family and the dog come true.