Wakamizusou

3 of us girls were traveling through Kawaguchiko in order to climb mt Fuji, and we are beyond happy with our stay. This is a great value located on the street inside where all the more expensive lakefront hotels are located. To put some context as to us as guests, we spoke very minimal (aka none other than basic greetings) Japanese, but the owner is very very accommodating and can write English well (communicating via email and written through online translator). However, it should be clear that this is not the place to go to if you expect the staff to speak English fluently. We had just left Tokyo after 2 nights at the Tokyo Station Hotel so this was quite a change but still well worthwhile for the money. Some of the other lakefront hotels wanted around 1k for 3 people whereas wakamizusou was ~180$ for the room and 120$ for 3 peoples dinner (4,000yen/person) A few things of note: - The owner was lovely and picked us up from the kawaguchiko train/bus station (its a quick 10-15 min walk otherwise or a 8$ taxi) - there is no shower in each room only a toilet and sink, but there is a shared bath/onsen separated for male and females in the ground floor. We were the only people in there although we did not stay during busy season (June 30th) -Japanese style beds on the floor but were quite comfortable. - he let us use the guest refrigerator to store food for the hike next to our guest room -kaiseki dinner was absolutely phenomenal, especially for the value. Although obviously different, this was a nice change of pace from the ***michelins we have been going to in Tokyo. And the food quality was very good and utterly delicious. My two friends had just stayed in a more expensive ryokan in Hokkaido and although the dinner there was better presented, they preferred the homey-ness and flavor of this dinner. -we left the hotel at 245am so did not get to try the breakfast... but if dinner was any example I’m sure it was great -each room has it’s own ac and hot water heater -we were able to store our luggage until we returned back from the climb! The owner then also allowed us to use the bath to shower post climb even though we had already checked out! -he then graciously offered to drive us back to the train station All in all, this is simple for accommodations but is great value if a private shower isn’t a must for you. Service is great, and the food is fantastic. Highly recommend and would definitely stay again!