YMCA Tozanso

A youth center with 110 years of history, in the woods at the foot of Mount Fuji

YMCA Tozanso is an international youth center run by the YMCA, standing in the Higashiyama area of Gotemba, Shizuoka. Founded in 1915, it has 110 years of history behind it, and it has long hosted school residential study trips, overnight stays for kindergartens and nursery schools, and children's camps - but individuals and families can stay here too. It sits about 10 minutes by car from JR Gotemba Station and about 5 minutes by car from the Gotemba Premium Outlets, yet the grounds are surrounded by greenery, and Mount Fuji comes into view as you walk the paths. Parking is free and needs no reservation. The Rakuten Travel rating is 4.67 out of 5 (8 reviews), with guests writing that "the natural setting was excellent" and that "there is a spacious open field, and the children had a wonderful time running around."

Crafts and nature experiences: a place where the stay itself is the experience

What sets this center apart are its activities, above all the nature programs. Crafts, outdoor experiences and other programs draw on the natural setting at the foot of Mount Fuji, giving families a camp-style experience you don't get from simply staying at a hotel. The grounds also hold a gymnasium, a barbecue garden and multipurpose rooms, so the center handles everything from children's sports camps to three-generation gatherings. For families and groups of friends, the wooden lodge completed in 2010 is recommended; you can also book the lodge for exclusive use by telling the center how many people are coming and whether you want meals.

Detailed child rates, plus meals that accommodate allergies

The rate structure for families is clearly laid out, which is reassuring. Children aged 3 and over who would like meals are booked on the "meals and bedding included" option; for children aged 2 and under, payment is made on site at 528 yen for breakfast only or 1,683 yen for dinner and breakfast; and co-sleeping for children aged 3 and over who have not yet started elementary school is 2,200 yen per child. Meals are served in the dining hall, Mori no Restaurant, and Rakuten Travel's property information states that meals accommodating allergies can be arranged. Lunch can be discussed as well. There are also barrier-free facilities, including wheelchair-accessible rooms and wheelchairs available to borrow, so it also works well for families with strollers and for three-generation trips.

Not a hotel but a training-camp lodge: set your expectations accordingly

One thing to keep in mind is that this is a training and camp facility, not a city hotel. Several buildings are dotted around the grounds - the main building, Building No. 2, the lodge and others - and getting from your building to the dining hall or the bath can mean walking outdoors. Guest reviews reflect training-camp standards rather than hotel standards: "the bath is in a separate building and you walk along an outdoor corridor, so it was cold," "the facilities are old, but the large bath was fine," and "it really is a training-camp lodge; we had a six-person room and the children were thrilled with the bunk beds." Renovations are ongoing, and Building No. 5 reopens after refurbishment in 2026. Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., checkout is at 10 a.m., and the curfew is 11 p.m. Credit cards are accepted for individual bookings. It is a distinctive place to stay, suited to families who care more about nature and hands-on programs than about creature comforts. Extensions are available for a fee.