Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako (Review): Dreamy Mt. Fuji Views & Slow Sightseeing Itinerary

Why stay at Lake Yamanaka

Lake Yamanakako is located in Yamanashi Prefecture and is a roughly 2-hour drive from Tokyo.

As one of the Fuji Five Lakes—a popular destination in Japan that includes Lake Kawaguchiko, Lake Saiko, Lake Shoji, and Lake Motosu—Lake Yamanakako was formed by the eruption of Mt. Fuji on its Yamanashi side. This area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title “Fujisan – Sacred Place & Source of Artistic Inspiration.”

Among the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Yamanakako is one of the most scenic, alongside Lake Kawaguchiko. It is the largest, highest, and closest of the lakes to Mt. Fuji.

Lake Yamanaka is particularly popular between mid-October to late February, when the wintertime “Diamond Fuji” (the tip of Mt. Fuji with the sun in the background) can be seen.

The surrounding area is rich in greenery, seasonal flowers, and vibrant fall foliage, offering a delightful retreat into nature. Visitors can enjoy year-round activities such as camping, canoeing, boating, and fishing.

For those seeking to escape the bustle of other areas near Mt. Fuji, Lake Yamanakako provides a perfect getaway, where you can relax and savor breathtaking, close-up views of Japan’s most famous mountain amidst serene natural beauty.

Introducing Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako: Private Lakeside Stay with Mt. Fuji Views

Right in front of Lake Yamanaka, and with Mt. Fuji visible on clear days, is Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako. It consists of five private villas rented out to five groups daily, allowing guests to enjoy the area with the utmost space and comfort.

Rakuten STAY seeks to facilitate wonderful stays. This Rakuten STAY facility can host groups of up to 10 in each villa, which boast 87m² of space with two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, and wooden decking in a detached, maisonette-style home. You can stretch out and enjoy your holiday with friends and family in complete privacy.

Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako is also very easy for travelers to access. Take the highway bus from the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal for 2.5 hours, and get off at the Yamanakako Hirano bus stop. From here, it’s around a 5-minute walk. This makes it a breeze to reach from Tokyo, allowing you to add a visit to even the most packed itinerary.

Check-in and check-out are entirely automatic, and your reservation number, procedures, key number, and other necessary information will be sent in advance via email. You can check in via the tablet at the Front Desk or at your reserved villa.

While ensuring as little face-to-face contact as possible, a video call with an operator can be requested if necessary. A monitoring system with 24/7 emergency assistance guarantees safety at all times.

The tablet has a choice of five different languages.

The spacious kitchen has 3 inductive heating (IH) cookers and a grill for guests to cook their own food. Some kitchens include views of Mt. Fuji for the ultimate Japanese experience—virtually impossible in a place like Tokyo.

Each villa is equipped with everything you’ll need, from utensils and kitchenware to a fridge, washing machine, and more, so it’s an excellent fit for extended stays.

Plus, Rakuten STAY villas are also full of sample products from the online store Rakuten Ichiba, also operated by the Rakuten Group.

This includes amenities like highly-ranked skincare products, along with umbrellas and more, all free to use. If you find a product you like, you can purchase it instantly on the Rakuten Ichiba website.

Top-ranked on Rakuten Ichiba means what’s trending in Japan right now. This convenient service lets you try exciting products ahead of the curve.

We stayed at Villa 101 – complete with Mt. Fuji views

In this article, we stayed at Villa 101. Stepping through the door felt like coming home, instantly giving us a comforting sense of familiarity. The first floor features a spacious, high-ceilinged living room with a large wall-mounted TV—perfect for watching whatever you like (we were enjoying some soccer!). Unlike typical hotels, you don’t need to worry about disturbing neighbors—just be sure to keep things reasonable!

The image of fire made the interior warm and cozy, lulling us even deeper into a state of sublime relaxation.

From the large bedroom window, you can catch a view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Waking up to this breathtaking sight was unforgettable!

The loft bed is tucked away like a secret base, sure to excite children. It’s large enough for two adults to enjoy plenty of space.

The 2nd-floor bedroom is equipped with “popIn Aladdin,” the world’s first ceiling light with an integrated projector, so you can watch Netflix, YouTube, or whatever else you’re into (requires signing into your own account).

“At night, I watched K-POP on YouTube, which got me really excited,” said our Taiwanese editor, Chia-chi.

The spacious Jacuzzi bath! Villa 101, where we stayed, and Villa 102 have large windows in their bathrooms, often framing Mt. Fuji if you’re lucky with the weather. Nothing is more healing than a nice, long soak while absorbing the grandeur.

Also in the bathrooms are TVs and hi-tech Dyson hair dryers in each room, showcasing the high level of equipment and furnishings.

A special KonMari villa by professional organizer Marie Kondo

Villa “105 KonMari Style” of Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako was created under a concept supervised by world-famous tidying consultant Marie Kondo. It has a chic and modest tone with a sleek, clean interior. Unlike the other villas, there is only a coffee table and no dining table, giving guests more space to stretch out and relax.

105 KonMari Style is ideal for couples desiring a quiet, calm space to unwind in, along with families with young children seeking a break from a cluttered home.

The pre-prepared BBQ set (pictured is the 2-person set)

In addition to staying without meals, a dinner (BBQ or sukiyaki) and breakfast (French toast) plan is also available.

(*Currently only available online at the Rakuten Travel website.)

BBQ on the wooden deck!

For our stay, we opted for the BBQ set. Keep in mind that BBQs can only be held outside and not inside the villas.

The dinnertime BBQ (pictured is for 2 people) and breakfast French toast ingredients (pictured is for four people) are all prepared in the refrigerator.

The BBQ ingredients (assortment of meat, seafood, vegetables, yakisoba) and the morning breakfast ingredients have been prepared and placed in the refrigerator in advance.

As our Villa 101 also had a beer server, some special server beer was also in the fridge, and payments could be quickly made using a QR code.

“Opening the fridge and seeing all the ingredient sets made me realize just how convenient and luxurious this stay is! With everything prepared, we could start barbequing when we liked, making it feel like my very own home. I guess that’s the appeal of villa-type accommodations!” said Timothy, our American staff.

Starting the BBQ grill on the deck table, we began cooking up our favorites!

“There were plenty of vegetables alongside the meat, making for a great nutritional balance,” said Chia-chi.

Use the beer server to pour yourself a fresh glass of beer (only available in Villa 101, beer is sold separately). Outside the villas are vending machines stocking a range of drinks to enjoy with your dinner.

Last but not least, local wine is also on the menu! To purchase any of these items on the day, all you’ll need to do is scan the QR code in the refrigerator and pay online.

For the final dish, cook up the yakisoba fried noodles, which will absorb the umami of the meat!

The BBQ set is packed with a hefty serving of ingredients like meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles, ensuring complete satisfaction. Our two editors were well and truly full by the end of the night! Plus, you can also bring in whatever food or drinks you like from outside too, so don’t worry about going hungry!

For breakfast the next morning, we kicked off the day with French toast, which is pre-prepared and only needs to be fried.

“The outside is crisp while the inside is soft and syrupy like pudding – it was an absolute treat! Making French toast from scratch for some people might be a bit of trouble, but this was already flavored and only needed cooking, so we could enjoy it in no time!” said Chia-chi.

We relished this delicious breakfast with a helping of coffee amidst the fresh morning air, all while enjoying Mt. Fuji and the sounds of nature. And from this glorious morning, we started our day!

Slow sightseeing idea #1: Strolling and cycling around Lake Yamanaka

To complete your relaxing, healing stay at Lake Yamanakako, we recommend walking or cycling around the lake, which has a cycling course circling much of it. There is a bicycle rental shop near Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako, and natural hot spring facilities dot the route for a rejuvenating bath along the way.

While walking around the lake in front of the villas, you’ll come across white swans, the lake’s elegant mascots.

The lake is encompassed by rich nature bristling with a diversity of animals and plants. It’s the perfect space to forget the passing of time and concentrate on the now.

Slow sightseeing idea #2: Oshino Hakkai

The 5th sacred site, Wakuike Pond.

Oshino Hakkai is a collection of 8 springs at the base of Mt. Fuji. Like Lake Yamanaka, it is part of the Fuji World Heritage Site. In 1934, it was declared a Natural Monument, and in 1985, it became part of the Ministry of the Environment’s 100 Waters of Japan, making it an unmissable local attraction.

The waters of Oshino Hakkai are breathtakingly beautiful. They. They flaunt pristine transparency, with deep green and blue hues changing with the sun’s different angles and seasonal light.

The 3rd sacred site, Sokonashiike Pond, located in the Hannoki Bayashi Museum.

The only pond that requires a fee is Sokonashiike Pond, which is located on the grounds of the Hannoki Bayashi Museum (Adults (middle school and up): 300 yen; children (elementary school and below): 150 yen; infants (1-kindergarten): 100 yen; all prices including tax.)

The facility has an observation deck with stunning Mt. Fuji views, plus old “kominka” folk homes exhibiting precious artifacts showcasing the ancient Japanese lifestyle, making it well worth the cost.

Oshino Hakkai is best reached by bus via the “Oshino Hakkai” bus stop, which is just 30 minutes away from Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako. There are also multi-language maps and sightseeing information available at the nearby Oshino Village Tourist Information Center, as well as free lockers, toilets, and even limited-edition stamps on sale, making it a convenient spot for tourists.

There are lots of shops and restaurants around Oshino Hakkai, and you can spend much of the day shopping for local products and gorging on regional dishes.

The first sacred site, Deguchi-ike Pond, is a little further away from the rest, so we suggest taking your time here to see them all.

Refresh among the great outdoors at Lake Yamanakako

Our editors were captivated by the incredible experiences they had while staying at Lake Yamanakako and exploring the surrounding area.

“Sipping coffee while listening to birdsong, breathing in the fresh air, and gazing at Mt. Fuji—this is a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. After living in Japan for over 20 years, I had always wanted to visit Oshino Hakkai. Seeing Mt. Fuji framed by traditional Japanese buildings was a feast for the senses, and I was thrilled to finally explore this remarkable region. Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako is also conveniently close to the bus stop, making it a great base for sightseeing,” Timothy shared.

“I could see Mt. Fuji from my room, the bathroom, kitchen, deck, and more, and I was constantly amazed by its size and majesty. The stay felt luxurious and fulfilling, a complete escape from city life. Cycling around the lake offered even more stunning scenery, and I loved feeling the breeze as I let myself unwind. I was captivated by the swans up close, and I’m leaving feeling refreshed and rejuvenated,” said Chia-chi.

Lake Yamanakako is one of the closest attractions to Mt. Fuji, making it the ideal spot to fully embrace its magnificence while enjoying a slow, relaxing holiday. While the view of Mt. Fuji depends on the season and weather, other wonders like starry night skies, sunrises, and the surrounding wilderness make it a well-rounded, worthwhile experience.

Embrace this carefree, slow, and liberating style of travel with a stay at Rakuten STAY VILLA Fuji Yamanakako!

Written by:

Miyu is a travel writer and tour conductor with over a decade of experience in developing educational content for working individuals. She has a passion for exploring new cultures and has visited more than 150 cities in around 50 countries. Her goal is to sample great food, experience nature, enjoy historical sites, and bathe in hot springs around the world. Miyu left her corporate job to pursue her passion for travel and now spends over 100 days a year abroad while working as a writer. She promotes the joy of travel, the beauty of Japan, and the diverse cultures of the world by traveling to different parts of Japan and collaborating with inbound tour operators and fellow travel writers.