THE TOKI Fuji Kawaguchiko

Panoramic Mount Fuji views from every villa, each rented to a single group

THE TOKI Fuji Kawaguchiko sits on high ground about 4 minutes by car or a 10-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station, with each villa rented to a single group. It is easy to reach, about 80 minutes from central Tokyo, and every villa looks out on an unobstructed panorama of Mount Fuji and the night views of the northern foothills. There are two villa types: the Balcony Villa, which has an open balcony and is comfortable even for larger groups, and the Rooftop Villa, with a rooftop terrace that takes in the view all the way to the base of Mount Fuji. Both come with a bathroom that looks out on Mount Fuji, so you can soak in the view at bath time too.

With the whole villa to yourselves, you can keep to your child's pace

The strength of having a villa to yourselves is that you are not tied to a ryokan's meal times and have a space that belongs to your family alone. The kitchen has a full set of cookware and tableware, and every villa comes with pots made for the induction cooktop, a hot plate and children's cutlery. There are also amenities chosen with children's trips in mind and children's items available to borrow in limited numbers, so there is no need to worry about night-time crying or fussing. Villas with a theater room let you watch movies on a big screen, so rainy evenings never drag. A microwave is available only in some villas and must be reserved, so if you need to warm baby food, please check when booking.

Rooftop barbecue and breakfast brought to your villa

For dinner, the signature offering is a barbecue supervised by a TOKI group chef. It makes generous use of local Yamanashi ingredients such as Koshu Wine Beef, Fujizakura Pork, Shingen chicken and Sakura eggs, and you can enjoy it on the rooftop while taking in the view of Mount Fuji (equipment-only rental is also available for 5,500 yen). Plans with Shingen chicken sukiyaki or shabu-shabu are offered as well. For breakfast, you choose from several options and have it delivered to your villa at the time you like, with two children's breakfasts to choose from. Meals accommodating allergies can also be discussed.

Staying here with children

Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and checkout is at 10 a.m. A free shuttle runs from Kawaguchiko Station and the Fuji-Q Highland highway bus stop; by car it is about 10 minutes from the Kawaguchiko Interchange on the Chuo Expressway, and free parking is available for one car per villa. A concierge is on duty at the front desk and can help with anniversary celebrations, and a welcome sweet is served as well. The location is ideal as a base for Fuji-Q Highland and Lake Kawaguchi sightseeing. Pets are not allowed. The Rakuten Travel rating is 4.62 out of 5 (68 reviews), and returning families comment that with small children, a villa to yourselves that frees you from set meal times is a real relief.