Kawaguchiko Onsenji Yumedono

A Hot-Spring Haven Modeled on Kyoto's Nijo Castle, with an Open-Air Bath in Every Room

Kawaguchiko Onsenji Yumedono is a luxury hot-spring ryokan in Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi Prefecture. The main building is a traditional structure built entirely of zelkova wood and modeled on Kyoto's Nijo Castle, and the interior is a richly ornate space styled after the world of The Tale of Genji. Access is easy: about 5 minutes by car from Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyuko Line and about 5 minutes from the Kawaguchiko Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. There is free parking for 20 cars with no reservation required, plus a free shuttle, for which an inquiry is needed.

A Garden Open-Air Bath in Every Room - Onsen Time as a Family, Without Worrying About Other Guests

The greatest feature here is that every room comes with a spacious garden open-air bath. The spring water is a natural sodium-calcium chloride hot spring, part of the Fuji-Kawaguchiko hot spring area; there is no communal bath, and you can soak whenever you like in your own room. For a baby still in diapers, or a young child who cannot settle in a communal bath, a room with an open-air bath means the family can bathe on their own without worrying about other guests. There are 9 room types, from the standard Japanese-Western room (50 sq m, with a garden open-air bath, an indoor bath, twin or double beds and a tatami area) to the 200 sq m Executive Japanese Suite Shikibu, which has an 8-tatami-mat Japanese-style tatami room and its own Japanese garden and sleeps up to 6, as well as detached villa suites. Every room has a humidifier, an air purifier, a bidet-style washlet toilet and Wi-Fi.

Kaiseki Cuisine in a Private Dining Room, Morning and Evening

Meals are kaiseki cuisine made with ingredients sourced from carefully chosen production areas. Both breakfast and dinner are served in a private dining room, a layout that makes it easier not to worry about those around you if a child gets fussy. According to information listed on booking sites, a kids' meal is prepared for children who have not yet started elementary school on the rate category that includes meals.

Staying with Children

Children are welcome to stay, and co-sleeping is available for ages 3 and under, up to the same number as adults. Depending on the booking site, a facility-use fee of around 4,400 yen may be set for a co-sleeping child, so check the terms when you book. Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and checkout is at 11 a.m. As a quiet ryokan that describes itself as an adult hideaway, it suits families who want a private stay built around their room and the private dining room rather than children at the age of wanting to run around the property - especially anniversary trips with a baby, or a special three-generation journey. The ryokan holds a top-tier Rakuten Travel rating of 5.0 out of 5 (98 reviews).