Yasuragi no Yado Hattori-so

A family-friendly minshuku in a quiet wood by Lake Yamanaka

Yasuragi no Yado Hattori-so is a 7-room minshuku (a family-run guesthouse) in the Yamanaka area of Yamanakako-mura, Yamanashi. The shore of Lake Yamanaka is a few minutes away on foot, quiet woodland surrounds the inn, and at an elevation of about 1,000 meters the highland air stays cool for an unhurried stay. The Yamanakako Tourist Association's listing also classifies it as family-friendly, and the inn is glad to welcome families with children.

Rooms and bedding

Every room is a 10-tatami Japanese-style tatami room for 1 to 4 guests. The tatami floors mean babies at the crawling stage and children just finding their feet can spend time on the floor with peace of mind. You lay out the futon bedding yourselves, and guests praise being able to put it down early and settle a child to sleep the moment they get drowsy. Each room has a television, an electric hot-water kettle and Wi-Fi, while the toilets and bathrooms are shared. With 7 rooms in total and only about 2 to 4 parties a day, the atmosphere stays small and calm.

Baths

The inn has two bathrooms, one larger and one smaller. The water is heated water rather than onsen water, and when the timing works out a family can have a bath to themselves. Families often mention that it was "roomy enough to take as a family bath" and that the "bright, clean bath was a hit with the children," and being able to bathe together without worrying about other guests is reassuring with little ones.

Meals

Meals are the okami's (the inn's proprietress's) home-style cooking, served in the dining room. Dinner covers plenty of ground with sashimi, simmered dishes, fried dishes and meat, and breakfast is generous too, with grilled fish, fried eggs and simmered dishes. Guests report that portions were shared out from the adult dishes for young children, and food allergies can be discussed in advance by phone or in the remarks field of your booking. The freshly brewed coffee served after breakfast is well liked as well.

What families will appreciate

Children who have not yet started elementary school stay free of charge; the only cost is 300 yen for sheets and a pillowcase if they use bedding. The game room has table tennis and a DVD player, and guests mention that "there were games, toys and wire puzzles for children, and our child loved them." Outdoors, a barbecue set is available to borrow at 2,000 yen including charcoal, so summer brings the pleasure of time in the garden.

The area and getting there

The lakeshore of Lake Yamanaka, the cycling path and Hana no Miyako Park are all close by, summer brings lake play and hiking, and the day-use onsen Beni-Fuji no Yu is nearby. It is about 30 minutes by local bus from Mount Fuji Station, or about 3 minutes by car from the Yamanakako IC. Parking is free for 5 cars, with no reservation needed.

Points to note

The building is a traditional minshuku, so soundproofing is not especially strong. Families staying alongside other families are unlikely to mind, but keep it in mind if quiet matters to you. Bringing a few amenities such as a toothbrush gives you peace of mind. The inn is also closed for the winter, from mid-December to late March.