An intimate dinner featuring locally sourced organic produce cooked on a traditional Japanese hearth. A crisp bottle of sake made just down the road by a century old brewery. The fresh air of the Japanese countryside as you unzip your tent and head for a warm morning shower. Wait…unzip…tent… No you’re not dreaming and no this trip doesn’t feature a hotel in Shinjuku or a ryokan in Kyoto. You’ll realize that when you spot Mt. Fuji in all her majesty standing right in front of you, bathing in the glow of the rising sun.
Just a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka you’ll find Mt. Fuji Satoyama Vacation, tucked into a corner of a sleepy village in the shadow of Mt Fuji and a short hike from the legendary Shira-Ito (white thread) Falls in the adjacent national park.
Far from the back streets of Tokyo, this is as local as it gets, and built around sustainability and local sourcing. When you arrive, the friendly English speaking staff will greet your group at the train station. Then, they will escort you to the site’s newly constructed multi-purpose lodge, built using wood harvested from the site. Before you even get inside, you’ll be greeted by the majestic Mt. Fuji herself next to, (weather permitting, of course). The building itself features a cozy central room with a stunning live edge table for group gatherings or use as your workation office. There are two complete full bath suites (standing shower and separate toilets) finished in a dueling dark/light scheme with stone and fragrant Hinoki spruce.
Rounding out the accommodations are the massive tents just below the lodge and feature the same stunning view of the mountain from the spacious patios decks. Inside you’ll find hand woven carpets and a comfy bed prepared for you.
Depending on whether your visit is work focused or pleasure focused, the staff are happy to build a custom itinerary for you. Visit the local organic farmer and get your hands dirty harvesting the most amazing vegetables, which will later be the star attraction of that evening’s dinner in the traditional tatami dining area next door. Or, venture out on a guided mountain bike tour of the village, winding your way through the labyrinth of narrow tambo-michi (farm roads). You’ll see centuries old historic sites, get up-close and personal with the locals for an amazing soba lunch, and visit one of the oldest sake breweries in the region (tasting included).
In the morning, you might also enjoy a gentle hike through the forest on the “locals only” path to visit Shirosato Falls and the adjacent shrine housed in a small grotto at the top of the falls. After which you can enjoy an eclectic assortment of pastries from the local artisan bakery with fresh coffee and juices for a continental breakfast served in the lodge. You’ll have full use of the lodge space during your time to work or maybe enjoy a specially prepared seminar. Or, you can just lounge on the deck under the branches of the sakura tree and watch as Mt Fuji changes her colors right before your eyes.
If your sights are set a little bit higher, how about a visit to Mount Fuji Sengen Taisha shrine to discover its 2000 year history followed by a hike on the mountain (seasonal and weather permitting). Reservations are available via the contact form on their website.
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