Private Resort Pinetree

A private vacation rental 7 minutes on foot from Fuji-Q Highland, with a private open-air bath in every unit

This whole-house vacation rental sits at the foot of Mount Fuji, about 2 minutes by car from the Kawaguchiko IC on the Chuo Expressway and a 7-minute walk from Fuji-Q Highland. It is made up of 17 units in all: authentic Finnish-made log cottages in 4 types (A, B, C and F, 10 units) and condominium Type S (7 units). Every unit has its own open-air bath, private terrace and kitchen, so you can spend the whole stay privately without crossing paths with other guests. A free shuttle from Fujisan Station or Fuji-Q Highland Station (3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., please contact the property) also makes the resort easy to reach without a car.

Five room types, sleeping up to 16 guests

There are five types to choose from depending on how you want to stay. Log Cottage Type A (60 sq m, 1 bedroom, 2-5 guests, 2 units) and Type B (60 sq m, 2 bedrooms, 2-5 guests, 4 units) suit couples through to families and small groups. Log Cottage Type C (100 sq m, 3 bedrooms, 2-12 guests, 2 units) has a jetted private open-air bath with a large tub, ideal for three-generation trips and larger groups. Log Cottage Type F (100 sq m, 2 bedrooms, 2-8 guests, 2 units) sleeps up to 16 when the two units are used as connecting rooms, and its spiral staircase adds a sense of adventure. Condominium Type S (60 sq m, 2-4 guests, 7 units) has a double bed and a 60-inch TV on the first floor, and a living-room kitchen, a private semi-open-air bath and a lanai on the second floor; connecting two Type S units sleeps up to 8.

The private open-air bath and barbecuing on your own terrace

Every unit's private open-air bath can be used at any hour of the day without worrying about other guests. Type C has a jetted tub, Type S a semi-open-air bath, and the other types an open-air bath paired with an indoor bath, all roomy enough for the family to bathe at the same time. Barbecuing on your private terrace is possible year-round at 3,000 yen per grill, which includes the grill, charcoal and the fire-lighting service; bring your own ingredients and sauces. Last orders are at 7:30 p.m., and you can use the terrace until 10 p.m. Rain is no obstacle, as the log cottages have awnings and the condominiums have a roof. Bringing your own BBQ grill, charcoal, firewood, Dutch oven or smoker is not permitted.

Kitchens and front-desk services

Every unit has a kitchen with an induction cooktop, pots, frying pans, knives, cutting boards, assorted cooking utensils, a full set of dishes and glassware as standard. Seasonings (salt, pepper, sugar, soy sauce, shichimi pepper, oil and so on) are lent out at the front desk. The front desk also lends cooking gear such as a hot plate, takoyaki maker, cheese fondue set, shabu-shabu pot and sukiyaki pot at 550 yen each. Table games including UNO, playing cards, shogi, Othello, mahjong and Jenga are lent free of charge. Anniversary cakes (sizes 4 to 7, 2,000 to 6,000 yen) must be reserved at least 2 days in advance. There is also a dedicated fireworks space, open until 10 p.m. and limited to handheld fireworks, with long handheld fireworks sold at 100 yen each. A laundry room (550 yen per machine) is next to the front desk.

Family-friendly features and points to note

Whole-house rentals with a kitchen and a private open-air bath make this popular with families traveling with babies or elementary school children, and with three-generation trips. There is no age restriction. Private terraces, hammocks (except at Log Cottages C and F), the dedicated fireworks space and the cake service give children plenty to enjoy, and a supermarket, It's More, and a Don Quijote are a 5-minute walk away for stocking up. Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., or by 7:30 p.m. if you would like to barbecue, and checkout is at 10 a.m. Pets are not allowed, including inside your car, and mosquito coils may not be brought in, as each unit is equipped with a plug-in mosquito-repellent mat. All units are non-smoking indoors, though smoking is allowed on the terrace. Log Cottages A, B, C and F also offer a winter-only wood stove option (November to March, 3,000 yen per session for about 3 hours, lit by staff). Bookings by a single group of 4 or more units, or of 20 or more guests, are not accepted.