My most memorable onsen experience at Konansou

I'm sure that many of you have fully adjusted to Japanese onsen practices, and you're comfortable stripping off in front of groups of strangers without so much as a second thought. I don't know that I will ever get to that point, so when I enjoy an onsen soak it's a private one.

My most memorable onsen experience so far has been at Konansou, a ryokan located in Yamanashi Prefecture. My husband and I visited here a few years ago, and we still talk about it as one of our favorite weekend getaways ever. Many onsen destinations are revered for their incredible views as you bathe, but this really has to be the pinnacle of phenomenal scenery -- many of the rooms at Konansou have private balcony onsen that give you a killer view of Mount Fuji.

I mean, with views like this, how could it NOT be the most memorable onsen experience ever?

If you don’t have a view of Fuji from your personal onsen (the other side faces Lake Kawaguchi, which is beautiful in its own right!), there are still ways for you to get a view of the picturesque mountain from the venue’s other baths. The main public bath is one option, plus there is a reservable public bath open from 3:00 p.m until 11:50 p.m for overnight guests – it’s charged at an additional 3300 yen per 50 minutes. Head up to the rooftop of the ryokan, and there’s even a spacious footbath where you can savor views of the mountain – it’s perfect if you want the fun communal nature of a public onsen without the “get naked in front of everyone” component.

There are a few things that I would recommend if you are planning a visit to Konansou.

• I highly advise planning a trip during the winter months if you can. Not just because it’s a great time of year to appreciate the warmth of an onsen, but it’s the season where the skies are most likely to be clear, affording you the best view of Fuji possible. This is thanks to the dry air – humidity makes it harder to get a good glimpse!

• This tip pertains more to the food than the onsen, but if you have any eating intolerances or dislikes, let the staff here know when you make your booking. I don’t like raw seafood, and we let them know that in advance. They made us the most amazing meals – my husband happily had his as their regular, seafood-based course, but mine was more meat-focused. Everything was delicious!

The staff here were incredibly accommodating with the food they served. I also loved the level of detail, including this dessert that had a mini "Mount Fuji" matcha cheesecake.

• We drove there, but if you plan on using public transport, the ryokan operates a shuttle bus that will pick you up from Kawaguchiko Station. Just call them when you arrive!
  

I hope that if you pay a visit to Konansou in the future that it will be as memorable for you as it was for me!