Located in the heart of Japan's mountainous Yamanashi Prefecture are the Fuji Five Lakes, five beautiful lakes formed by past eruptions of Mt. Fuji. Each lake offers incredible views, and together they're recognized as part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site described as 'Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration.'

Among them, Lake Shoji in the town of Fujikawaguchiko is a bit smaller than the others, making it something of a hidden gem for travelers. Unlike the other lakes, Shoji's shoreline has few hotels or restaurants, and there aren't any museums or parks nearby. This quiet, untouched natural beauty makes it one of the most secluded spots in the Fuji Five Lakes area — perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape surrounded by nature.

What makes Lake Shoji truly special is that, despite being an amazing spot with fantastic views of Mt. Fuji, it still offers a peaceful atmosphere and abundant natural beauty. With so few buildings and lights around, it's also the perfect place to enjoy a clear, starry night sky.

Shoji Lake Hotel is perfectly situated for spectacular views of Mt. Fuji.

Looking straight ahead from the hotel, you'll see Lake Shoji in the foreground, then the mysterious Aokigahara Forest, followed by Mt. Omuro, with Mt. Fuji standing majestically in the background. This rare sight, where the small Mount Omuro appears in front of Mt. Fuji, is affectionately known as 'Child-Hugging Fuji.'

The hotel has 19 guest rooms, all of which offer a view of Mt. Fuji. So no matter which room you stay in, you'll get to enjoy this unique image.

Not limited to viewing from the rooms — Mt. Fuji can also be admired from the lobby, the second-floor dining area, the rooftop terrace, and even the open-air hot spring baths. This hotel is truly designed for guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of Mt. Fuji from every angle.

Another big draw is the famous 'Inverted Mt. Fuji' reflected on the surface of Lake Shoji. This mirror-like reflection only appears when the lake is calm and windless, so the best times to catch it are early morning or around sunset. If you want to see the inverted Fuji up close, staying at Shoji Lake Hotel is definitely your best bet.

The hotel is also an 'anime pilgrimage site' for international fans of Japanese animation. In the third season of 'Yuru Camp' ('Laid-Back Camp') — a beloved series about high school girls who enjoy camping — the first episode takes place at Shoji Lake Hotel's campsite, making the hotel a must-visit spot for fans, who can experience the same scenery as their favorite characters.

Since Shoji Lake Hotel is located by Lake Shoji, one of the more remote and off-the-beaten-path spots in the Fuji Five Lakes area, bus service is limited. Be sure to check transfer points and schedules carefully before you go.

Now, let's check in!

The front desk staff primarily speaks Japanese, but they can handle basic English conversations. For other languages, they use translation devices to assist, so no need to worry.

For your welcome drink, you can choose from iced or hot coffee, apple juice, orange juice, green tea, brown rice tea, or roasted green tea.

The welcome sweet is a baked treat shaped like Mt. Fuji called the 'Fuji-san Senbei.' It's fun to hold it up next to the real Mt. Fuji and snap a photo!

Of the hotel's 19 rooms, 17 are traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats, and 2 are Western-style twin rooms. Seventeen rooms come with their own bathrooms (note: these in-room baths are not hot springs), and every room offers beautiful views of Lake Shoji and Mt. Fuji.

Guests can wear traditional Japanese yukata robes as comfortable indoor wear during their stay. There are four sizes available, with the largest being extra-large. Instructions on how to wear the yukata are posted with helpful illustrations in the lobby, so be sure to take a look.

Shoji Lake Hotel has natural hot spring baths located in a separate building on the second floor. There you'll also find showers equipped with shampoo and body soap, plus a sauna. Outside, there's an open-air hot spring bath and a cold plunge pool.

A quick guide to using a Japanese bath:

First, undress and store your clothes in a locker. Take the face towel provided in your room with you into the bathing area. Wash your body thoroughly before entering the bath. Be careful not to dip your towel into the hot water. If you have long hair, tie it up so it doesn't touch the water.

From the men's open-air bath at Shoji Lake Hotel, you get a clear view of Mt. Fuji. It's truly a perfect spot to relax in the hot spring while soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery.

The sauna is loyly-style — you pour water on hot stones to create steam, and depending on where you sit, you might even catch a view of Mt. Fuji!

After your sauna session, rinse off in the shower and then take a dip in the cold plunge pool. Once you step out, relaxing in the breeze coming off the lake makes for an incredibly refreshing and relaxing experience.

If you want a great view of Mt. Fuji, the rooftop observation terrace is definitely worth a visit. From the fifth floor, you can look down over Lake Shoji — the only place in the area with that kind of view. Unlike viewing through windows, you get a fully unobstructed, up-close look at Mt. Fuji. It's also the perfect place for photos of the inverted Mt. Fuji reflection during sunrise or sunset.

There's even a swing where you can relax while enjoying the view. It's a stylish spot that's perfect for taking great photos.

The eat-in area on the second floor, open from 1 PM to 8 PM, is a shared area with great views. It's mainly a place to enjoy meals you've brought with you.

On the first floor, there's another common area open from 3 PM to 8 PM and again from 7 AM to 10 AM.

This space offers Japanese manga and a Nintendo Switch for guests to enjoy freely. There's also a huge 200-inch screen where you can connect your own laptop or device to watch movies or play games. Since it's a shared area, please be considerate and take turns with other guests.

There's also a ping-pong table, located in the first-floor meeting room. You can borrow paddles and balls there. In Japan, it's a long-standing and friendly tradition to enjoy ping-pong while wearing your yukata at hot spring inns, so why not give it a try? Since it's indoors, it's a great way to have fun even on rainy days.

Shoji Lake Hotel isn't like city hotels or large resorts — it doesn't have lots of entertainment facilities. But what it does offer is an unbeatable location with majestic Mt. Fuji and the beautiful Shoji Lake right in front of you.

If you want to fully enjoy nature, it's the perfect base. So when you stay here, be sure to take advantage of the many outdoor activities nearby! Here are some of my top recommendations:

One of the top activities you can try at Shoji Lake Hotel is the Canadian canoe tour. With a guide leading the way, you'll paddle a Canadian canoe out on Shoji Lake. Plus, the guide will happily take photos of you on the water — great memories to bring home from your trip!

Not only is it a chance to feel completely connected with nature, but you'll also get to see views that you can only catch from the lake's surface. Due to its shape, Shoji Lake has some spots aren't accessible by road — but with a canoe, you can get right up close.

Shoji Lake Hotel offers a great selection of outdoor gear rentals. Renting equipment and exploring nature at your own pace is highly recommended!

Note: Kayak and SUP rentals are unavailable in winter.

One popular and easy way to enjoy the area is by renting an electric-assist bicycle. Rentals cost 1,200 yen for one hour, 2,500 yen for three hours, and 4,000 yen for five hours. A standard route is to cycle around the lake, which usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.

A recommended spot along the way is Tategohama Beach, which also serves as a prefectural parking area. It's a favorite place to take in views of Shoji Lake and Mt. Fuji. The view here is different from what you see at Shoji Lake Hotel, plus you can park your bike and get closer to the water.

If you want to have some free time on the lake, kayaking is a great choice. Single kayaks can be rented for 5,000 yen for 2 hours, 6,000 yen for 3 hours, and 7,000 yen for 5 hours. Tandem kayaks are 6,000 yen for 2 hours, 7,000 yen for 3 hours, and 8,000 yen for 5 hours.

It's fun whether you're solo, a couple, or with a group. Besides the exercise, kayaking lets you get close to the water and enjoy views you can only see from the lake itself.

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is another fun Shoji Lake activity. Rentals cost 4,000 yen for 2 hours, 5,000 yen for 3 hours, and 6,000 yen for 4 hours. You can paddle hard or just relax on the board — whatever you feel like. And the views? Absolutely stunning! Posing on your SUP with Mt. Fuji towering in the background makes for an unforgettable experience.

One of the most popular activities among international visitors at Shoji Lake Hotel is hiking and trekking around the beautiful natural surroundings. There are easy trails where you can enjoy excellent views in about an hour one-way, as well as full-day routes for more serious hikers, so you can choose based on your skill level and gear.

One of the top recommended hikes is the round-trip trail to 'Panorama-dai.' With comfortable walking shoes and clothing, even beginners can manage the roughly 2-hour round-trip walk.

As the name suggests, Panorama-dai offers a breathtaking panoramic view, including Mt. Fuji. In front of the mountain, you'll see the vast Aokigahara Forest, known as the 'Sea of Trees,' which grew over lava flows from past eruptions. Together with the sacred Mt. Fuji, it creates a mysterious and awe-inspiring sight.

For beginners, the Shoji Lake loop trail is also a great choice. Aside from comfortable walking shoes, you don't need any special gear. The walk around the lake takes about 1 to 2 hours and is mostly flat.

In addition to these trails, there are also routes to nearby Motosu Lake and hikes through the Aokigahara Forest. English maps for hiking and trekking are available at the hotel's front desk.

We asked the hotel staff to answer some common questions about staying at Shoji Lake Hotel.

Shoji Lake Hotel isn't your typical urban hotel or a spot crowded with tourists. It's perfect for those who want to stay somewhere a little off the beaten path with amazing views.

While it doesn't offer all the fancy conveniences, many guests keep coming back because of the friendly, welcoming staff. The rates are also quite reasonable, making it a great choice for longer stays if you want to enjoy water sports or hiking.

If you're looking to immerse yourself in breathtaking views of Mount Fuji surrounded by nature, Shoji Lake Hotel should definitely be on your list.

(Note: This info is accurate as of February 2025. Please check the hotel website for the latest details.)