Pension Shikisai

A single-story, room-only pension with Mount Fuji from every room

Pension Shikisai is a 5-room inn in Narusawa-mura that bills itself as "the best seat in the house for viewing Mount Fuji." Its greatest feature is that every guest room looks out on the majestic mountain, and the unobstructed living room, which doubles as the dining area, faces Mount Fuji head-on as well. The building is single-story with few stairs or changes in floor level, a nearly barrier-free layout that is easy to move around for young children and older guests alike - a real reassurance for families with toddlers. It is about 7 minutes from the Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway via National Route 139, and about 10 minutes by car to Fuji-Q Highland and to the venue for the Lake Kawaguchi cherry blossom festival, which makes it a handy base for leisure in the northern foothills of Mount Fuji. It holds a high rating of 4.67 out of 5 (107 reviews) on Rakuten Travel, where guests praise the homey hospitality you get at a pension and the Mount Fuji views.

Mount Fuji views from all 5 rooms, with futon bedding in the Japanese-Western rooms

There are 5 guest rooms in all: 3 Western-style twin rooms and 2 Japanese-Western rooms. In a Japanese-Western room, futon bedding is laid on the tatami so the family can sleep together, letting you rest beside a small child without worrying about them rolling off a bed. Every room has an en-suite bathroom, a toilet, a TV, a refrigerator and air conditioning, and Wi-Fi is free. The whole building is non-smoking, with a smoking corner provided. In the living room you are free to use the microwave, and the drink corner with coffee, black tea and Japanese tea is free 24 hours a day. There are also Othello, playing cards and manga, so you and your children can pass a rainy day or an evening indoors at an easy pace. Note that since September 2025 towels, bath towels and toothbrushes have carried a rental fee; you may bring your own instead, so families watching their budget should pack them. Pajamas are not provided either, so bring your own.

A private-hire bath open 24 hours and an artificial hot spring family bath

Besides the en-suite bathroom in each room, there is a private-hire bath with an inside lock. It can be used privately with family, friends or as a couple at any hour of the day or night, and the family bath uses artificial hot spring water made with bakuhanseki and komeiseki stones, a water said to be welcome for stiff shoulders, sensitivity to cold and recovery from fatigue. A lamp in your room shows whether the private-hire bath is occupied, so families can take their time without having to watch for the right moment. Being able to bathe together as parent and child without worrying about other guests is the most welcome point of all when you have a small child.

Room-only stays plus free breakfast bread, and dog runs for your dog

Shikisai has been a room-only inn since 2021, serving bread and drinks free of charge in the morning. For dinner you are free to use nearby restaurants, get takeout or bring your own food, and with a microwave on hand it is easy to warm baby food or put together whatever your children like. Shikisai's other face is that you can stay here with your dog. Along with an outdoor dog run where dogs can play with Mount Fuji in view, there is a covered all-weather mini dog run with 3 m x 15 m of artificial turf, so dogs can run around even in the rain. Dogs are accepted up to medium size; among large dogs, only golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers are allowed, and pets other than dogs are not accepted. Check-in is at 3 p.m., with the last check-in at 10 p.m., and checkout is at 10 a.m. It is a family-friendly pension that delivers exactly what it promises: an unhurried single-story stay with Mount Fuji from every room, the freedom of a private-hire bath and a room-only booking, and your dog along with you. Please note that the Japanese-Western rooms have no co-sleeping plan, so even a child aged 0 is booked with bedding included. The Western-style rooms do have a co-sleeping plan.