Maruyaso (Review)
Thermal Guesthouse At The Foot Of Mount Fuji
Maruyaso is a 2-stars guesthouse (minshuku) located in Kawaguchiko in the Mount Fuji area in Japan. Its 2 onsen shared baths source their hot water from one of the 5 natural springs of Lake Kawaguchi-ko. Rustic and affordable, the place is more suitable to travelers looking to experience authenticity in their accommodation rather that the comfort of a traditional inn.
Maruyaso is a guesthouse managed by a couple, with onsenĀ āØļø hot baths supplied by the natural hot springĀ šø Shurei no Yu from Lake Kawaguchiko that appeal to tourists. It does not have the qualification of traditional ryokan inn, but actually belongs to the thermal minshuku category. While it is a lower lodging range as there is no room-service, it still provides the standard amenities and its prices are quite affordable.
The house is located in a little street, a bit away from the road and on the southern shore of the Lake, towards Mount FujiĀ š», a 15 minutesā walk from the station. The sacred mountain is viewable from the rooms on the lodgingās front side.
Maruyaso has a total of 11 rooms that can host between 2 to 6 persons; couples, families and groups of friends are all welcomed. All rooms are laid out in the Japanese style, with the same simple and efficient design:
- A tatami floor on which the futon bedding is spread for the night;
- A coffee table and cushions for seating;
- A small Japanese TV set;
- A kettle;
- Reversible air conditioning; and,
- A good Wi-Fi connection.
They only vary by surface which is determined by the number of guests admitted in the room, from 7sqm to 20sqm for the family room.
Shared bathrooms and toilets
The bathroomĀ š part is shared between all the guests, with WC at each floor and a level dedicated to the traditional onsen hot baths, with a side for men and another for women. There is no private bathroom at the Maruyaso, and none of the pools can be privatized even temporarily. We recommend bringing your own bath towel, as the lodging only provides small hand towels.
Friendly and rustic lodging
At the guesthouse, youāll live a total immersion in a Japanese rustic traditional lifestyle. Community life is prevalent and a large part of every guestās experience, no matter what they may retain of it. As a matter of fact, the wallsā poor soundproofing allows to hear the slightest noise from the other guests including their snores. As for the bedding and the shared spaces, their cleanliness is the usersā responsibility.
The lovely Japanese couple managing the Maruyaso, and especially the wife, are very welcoming and do their best for their guests, but unfortunately the service provided is only subpar. Note that the hosts donāt speak English, only Japanese, but communication is possible through online simultaneous translation tools. Payment can only be made at the hotelĀ šØ in cash.
As for catering, Maruyaso provides Japanese breakfast and dinner upon prior reservation. The guest house is also surrounded by several places to eat local and budget food, such as the family restaurant Gusto Kawaguchiko next to the Ogino supermarket, only 2 minutesā walk from the accommodation. A fridge to share with the other customers for daily groceries is available in the communal room, and some rooms are also equipped with a fridge.
We recommend staying at Maruyaso in the lower touristic seasons, when travelers are less and probably quieter. You can then enjoy a simple and authentic experience in a magnificent natural landscape, waking up to, and bathing with the view of Mount Fuji at a very affordable price.
