Beautiful Japanese Garden Kagetsu
9,4/10 Exceptional - Based on 148 reviews
Beautiful Japanese Garden Kagetsu sits in the Isawa Onsen district of Fuefuki and presents a measured blend of sukiya-style architecture and garden-centred design across its guest rooms. The property places the garden at the heart of the experience: many of the 36 rooms face a carefully composed Japanese garden with streams and koi, and interiors favour tatami flooring, sliding shōji screens and low seating to frame views of the changing seasons. Room types range from garden-facing traditional suites to accommodations that include an in-room hot-spring bath, offering a tailored stay for couples, families or small groups.
The ryokan’s thermal facilities stem from the local Isawa hot-spring source and are configured as both communal bathing areas and select guest rooms with outdoor baths, so visitors may choose public or more secluded bathing. Large indoor/outdoor baths are arranged to overlook the garden so steam and landscape are experienced together; a limited number of rooms provide private rotenburo-style soaking. As a ryokan with private onsen in Isawa Onsen, Yamanashi it balances communal onsen etiquette with options for solitary relaxation, and additional spa services are available by request.
Dining centres on seasonal kaiseki menus that emphasise regional produce, with dinner service offered either in private dining rooms or served to the room in many cases; signature preparations include stone-grilled beef and carefully plated multi-course meals. Practical amenities include a free shuttle from Isawa Onsen station by arrangement, on-site parking with EV chargers, complimentary Wi‑Fi in public areas, an outdoor pool in summer and accessibility features for mobility-impaired guests. Its location also makes it a practical base for Yamanashi vineyard visits and mountain viewpoints while maintaining quiet evening hours and a traditional ryokan rhythm.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Beautiful Japanese Garden Kage…
Positive Reviews
Stunning traditional gardens
Many guests highlight the beautiful, authentic Japanese gardens (ponds, connected basins and koi, rocks from across Japan) as a standout feature that creates a calming, restorative atmosphere.
Excellent onsen and bathing facilities
Reviews repeatedly praise the onsen—large, peaceful public baths and private outdoor baths that are well equipped and provide a deeply relaxing experience.
Delicious, generous meals
Several guests describe the breakfasts and dinners as abundant, flavorful and sometimes among the best they had in Japan; the ryokan can also accommodate dietary needs (e.g. vegetarian requests).
Attentive, polite and accommodating staff
Staff are frequently described as very friendly, polite and willing to help—accommodating last‑minute meal reservations and requests, and offering skilled services such as massages.
Authentic, relaxing ryokan experience and rooms
Guests appreciate the traditional Japanese style of the rooms and overall immersion (tatami rooms, atmosphere), with many finding the rooms spacious, peaceful and ideal for relaxation.
Negative Reviews
Limited accessibility from the station
Multiple reviewers note the ryokan is a bit far from the train station (Kawaguchiko), with a shuttle provided on arrival but limited or no shuttle options for return, making transport inconvenient for some.
Language barrier with some staff
Some guests experienced communication difficulties because not all staff speak English, requiring translation tools or limited English‑speaking staff to assist.
Dining room ambience could be improved
A few guests felt dinners or breakfasts were served in large, canteen‑ or banquet‑style rooms that lack atmosphere, and suggested the dining spaces could be more fitting for the price and quality of the food.
Inconsistent service/housekeeping issues
Isolated incidents were reported—problems with reservation handling for one guest, housekeeping attempting to enter without ringing, and one case where newly provided refreshments were removed by staff—indicating occasional service lapses.
Bed comfort and value concerns
A small number of guests mentioned the beds as uncomfortable (would prefer traditional futons) and one review questioned the value/price versus the dining quality in their view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Japanese-style rooms accommodate up to four guests on futons; the suite layout includes beds and a sofa bed for additional sleeping space—please confirm exact capacity when booking.
Kagetsu offers public indoor and outdoor hot spring baths and a sauna, and several room types include private open-air hot spring baths; availability depends on the room type you choose.
There is a complimentary pick-up service from Isawa Onsen Station North Exit by reservation (typically 14:00–18:00); there is no regular direct airport shuttle, so use rail connections to Isawa Onsen Station then the hotel shuttle.
Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports are the main gateways; from Tokyo the property is about 1.5 hours away by train and onward transfer to Isawa Onsen Station for the hotel shuttle.
Staff can assist in English and Japanese, though language ability varies; they commonly use translation tools and will help with arrival, sightseeing and meal arrangements.
Kagetsu serves multi-course kaiseki dinners featuring seasonal local ingredients and a traditional Japanese breakfast, served either in-room or in private dining rooms; notify the staff in advance for dietary requests.
Expect tatami-floored sukiya-style rooms with shoji screens and garden views, attentive Japanese hospitality, communal onsen bathing and formal multi-course meals for an authentic stay.
Nearby highlights include the Fuefukigawa Fruit Museum (about 20 minutes by car), the Budo-no-Oka winery center (about 25–30 minutes) and Fuji-Q Highland (around one hour); the front desk can suggest routes and timings.
Standard check-in is 15:00 and check-out is 10:00; the property’s own reservations sometimes list 14:00/11:00, so confirm your exact times with the hotel when you book.
Pets are not accepted at the property; some room types include private in-room open-air baths and you can ask the front desk about exclusive use of facilities; convenience stores and supermarkets are available a short drive from Isawa Onsen Station and staff will advise the closest options.