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Located near Kawaguchiko in Narusawa, Yamanashi, abrAsus Hotel Fuji feels less like a hotel and more like your own private retreat - except this one comes with an uninterrupted, almost surreal view of Mount Fuji from every single room.


Three small dogs (one pomchi and two chihuahuas) - Qoo, Tira, and Palpy - sitting on a cushion outdoors with Mount Fuji clearly visible in the background on a bright day.
Qoo, Tira and Palpy with the best Mt Fuji view at abrAsus Hotel Fuji

We visited with our dog Qoo and her besties, Palpy and Tira, and it was one of the most memorable dog-friendly stays we’ve had in Japan - a much-needed 20-hour reset!


One Group Per Day with Total Privacy


What makes abrAsus Hotel Fuji so special is its concept: one group per day - no other guests, no shared spaces, no awkward encounters in hallways.


A kitchen counter set with breakfast ingredients and coffee-making tools in front of a large window, with Mount Fuji visible in the background.
Morning at abrAsus Hotel Fuji - brewing coffee, making breakfast, and taking in a surreal view of Mt. Fuji

From the moment we arrived (you can pull your car right up to the building), it felt like stepping into a secluded villa. The property spans an impressive 710m² and is divided into thoughtfully designed spaces - each with its own purpose, but all centred around one thing: slowing down and being present.


Dog-Friendly Done Right


Travelling with dogs in Japan can be limiting; however, this property is entirely fenced with a huge garden, so Qoo, Palpy, and Tira could roam freely without a leash. Watching them run across the grass with Fuji in the background was one of those simple but perfect moments.


A small dog (pomchi) named Qoo sitting on a round cushion outdoors, with Mount Fuji clearly visible in the background on a clear day.
Qoo soaking it all in - Mt. Fuji views and a quiet morning at abrAsus Hotel Fuji

They also provide dog amenities on request (beds, bowls, cleaning supplies), which makes the whole experience seamless.


Dinner: Effortless but Elevated


Dinner here is a clever concept. Instead of going out or having a formal course meal, everything is already prepped for you - beautiful ingredients, carefully portioned, waiting in the kitchen. You simply follow intuitive instructions to bring each dish together.


An open refrigerator filled with neatly arranged, pre-prepared ingredients for a meal, including meat, vegetables, bread, milk, and packaged items.
Dinner comes ready for you - everything prepped, beautifully laid out, and just waiting to be cooked

What’s especially thoughtful is that abrAsus Hotel Fuji offers three different dinner menus, rotating depending on the length of your stay - so if you stay multiple nights, each evening feels distinct rather than repetitive.


Dinner Menu


  • Ratatouille with seasonal vegetables, prepared using a Vermicular pot heater

  • Pork spare ribs slow-cooked in jam using Vermicular

  • Grilled pork and duck loin cooked on a lava stone plate

  • Creamy potato potage made with a Hot Cook

  • Clay pot rice, cooked in a donabe with a glass lid


A pot filled with neatly arranged sliced vegetables, including courgettes, eggplants, and tomatoes, prepared for cooking on a stovetop.
Even the cooking feels elevated - fresh vegetables prepped and ready to turn into something special

We had dishes like slow-cooked pork ribs, grilled meats on a lava plate, ratatouille, and a rich potato soup—all surprisingly easy to execute (with generous portions). There’s something about cooking together, at your own pace, in total privacy, that just makes the meal taste better!


Multiple plates of grilled meats, ribs, and vegetable dishes arranged on a stainless steel counter, featuring colourful plates with prepared dishes ready to be served.
Beautifully prepped ingredients, grilled and plated at your own pace, turning a simple evening into something quietly special

Sauna, Bath & Doing Absolutely Nothing


The wellness setup here consists of a wood-fired Finnish sauna that you manage yourself (including the firewood), a bath perfectly positioned so Mount Fuji feels like part of the space, and the option to go back and forth between hot and cold. We ended up spending hours just moving between the sauna, cold plunge, and the open living area, completely losing track of time.


Morning Rituals: Coffee & Hot Sandwich


Morning here feels just as considered - simple, but thoughtfully designed as an experience.


A person sitting indoors near an open view, holding a manual coffee roasting tool, with Mount Fuji visible in the distance beyond a grassy garden.
@roasterylog roasting coffee by hand, with Mount Fuji quietly stealing the show in the distance

Breakfast Menu


  • Keema curry and egg hot sandwich made using a sandwich press

  • Coffee roasting experience - roast, grind, and brew your own beans


Breakfast was a keema curry hot sandwich that you make yourself - crispy on the outside, warm and savoury inside. You also get to roast your own coffee beans, then grind, brew, and sip it slowly while looking out at Fuji.


Two toasted hot sandwiches being pressed in black sandwich makers on a countertop, with golden grill marks and slightly melted filling visible.
Crispy hot sandwiches pressed to perfection, best enjoyed slow with Fuji waiting in the background

Kanazawa offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a perfect destination for travellers who want to experience traditional Japan without the crowds of bigger cities. Unlike Tokyo or Kyoto, the city is compact and incredibly walkable; in fact, most of the major sights are within 1–2 km (5–20 minutes) of each other!


If you only have one day to explore this charming city, this Kanazawa guide will help you make the most of your time with a carefully planned itinerary that covers the must-see sights and local experiences. The route alternate between food, culture, and rest (story highlights here).



🚄 Getting There: Tokyo → Kanazawa


Start your day early from Tokyo Station and take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa Station.

  • Fastest train: Kagayaki (~2.5 hours)

  • Frequency: ~every 20–30 minutes

  • JR Pass: Fully covered (including "shitei-seki" reserved seats)

💡 Tip: Reserve seats for the Kagayaki - it’s the fastest and most comfortable option with fewer stops.


🗺️ Your One-Day Walking Route



One-day walking route in Kanazawa

1. 🥩 Arrival → Lunch at Ushijyu Teraoka


After arriving at Kanazawa Station, head straight to Ushijyu Teraoka for their wagyu — this long-established spot, run by a butcher with over 100 years of history, specialises in premium Noto beef, served as beautifully presented ojū (boxed rice) or in a hitsumabushi-style so you can enjoy it multiple ways.



2. 🧳 Drop Bags at Your Hotel


Next, drop off your bags at THE HOTEL SANRAKU KANAZAWA. This affordable hotel is one of the best bases in the city, just minutes from Omicho Market. It blends contemporary comfort with subtle traditional design, featuring rooms inspired by Kanazawa craftsmanship.



3. ⛩️ Visit Oyama Shrine


Make a short stop at Oyama Shrine, dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga Domain. Built in 1875, the shrine is best known for its unusual three-tiered gate, which blends Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural elements — complete with stained glass windows that were once lit from within like a lantern.


Women in colorful kimonos walk in front of Oyama Shrine with ornate wooden architecture.
Photo Credit: Visit Kanazawa, Kanazawa City Tourism Association

4. 🍡 Matcha + Namagashi at Gyokusen-an


Ease into Kanazawa’s rhythm at Gyokusen-an, a serene teahouse set on what was once an Edo-period garden administration site; order a matcha + namagashi set — delicate, handcrafted Japanese sweets that reflect the season — and quietly admire the garden from the tatami rooms.


Tea set with patterned bowls on a tatami mat. Two plates hold pink sweets. A serene view of a garden is visible through the window.
The "Matcha + Seasonal Namagashi Set" at Gyokusen-an Tea House

5. 🏯 Walk Through Kanazawa Castle Park


From there, continue to Kanazawa Castle and its surrounding park, which was established in 1583 as the seat of the powerful Maeda clan during the Edo period (1603–1868). Much of the original structure was lost to repeated fires over the centuries and later carefully reconstructed using traditional techniques.


Kanazawa Castle surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms under a clear blue sky, evoking tranquility and historical charm.
Photo Credit: Visit Kanazawa, Kanazawa City Tourism Association

6. 🌳 Explore Kenroku-en Garden


Right next door is Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s “Three Great Gardens". Originally developed in the 17th century by the powerful Maeda clan as the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, it was expanded over generations and carefully designed to embody the classical concept of the “six attributes of a perfect landscape garden” (spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water features, and panoramic views).


The tranquil Kenrokuen Garden with arched stone bridge over a pond, surrounded by green trees and bushes under a clear blue sky.
Photo Credit: Visit Kanazawa, Kanazawa City Tourism Association

7. 🍵 Wander Higashi Chaya District


Next, cross over to the Higashi Chaya District, one of Kanazawa’s most beautifully preserved areas and a window into the city’s geisha culture dating back to the Edo period, when it was designated as an official entertainment district; today, its narrow streets are lined with traditional wooden teahouses (many still operating), latticed facades, and small specialty shops.


Snow falls on Higashi Chaya District, a quiet, narrow street lined with traditional wooden buildings. The ground is covered in snow, creating a serene winter scene.
Photo Credit: Visit Kanazawa, Kanazawa City Tourism Association

8. 🐟 Graze through Omicho Market


Loop back toward Omicho Market, which dates back to 1721 and has served the city for over 300 years. Now home to around 170 shops and stalls selling everything from freshly caught seafood to local produce, it’s the perfect casual grazing stop — think fresh oysters, uni, small donburi, and bite-sized snacks.


Omicho Market with crabs, vendor arranging crustaceans on ice.
Photo Credit: Visit Kanazawa, Kanazawa City Tourism Association

9. 🏨 Check in to the Hotel


Finally, walk back to THE HOTEL SANRAKU KANAZAWA to check-in.


Bonus: If You Have More Time


If you’re staying longer or have access to a car, here are a few extra spots worth adding to your itinerary:


🖼️ Museums / Galleries


🚗 A Local Detour (Best with a Car)


Kanazawa Port Iki-iki Market is a smaller, more local alternative to Omicho Market, with a more laid-back, everyday atmosphere; best visited by car.


🧭 Explore Beyond Kanazawa


If you’re planning to explore further, I’ve covered more spots across the region in my Tatler Asia feature:



When most people picture a Tokyo Bay cruise, they think of sunset views and champagne toasts. But the Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise - coordinated by TOKI and supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau - takes things to another level entirely. This is not just a sightseeing trip; it’s a semi-private floating fine dining experience aboard a refined yakatabune (traditional Japanese houseboat) reimagined with contemporary elegance.


Interior of a luxury yakatabune boat featuring a long wooden counter with elegant place settings, blue upholstered chairs, and four chefs in white uniforms preparing ingredients against a backdrop of large windows overlooking the water.
Elegant counter seating aboard a luxury yakatabune for Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise, where skilled chefs prepare fresh seasonal dishes as guests enjoy serene waterfront views


A Line-Up of Culinary Legends

Across three exclusive editions, this intimate cruise has welcomed some of Japan’s most celebrated chefs:


For the latest voyage, I joined the Wagyu Edition helmed by Satoru Tanaka, a titan in Japan’s beef world. On board, the spotlight shone on two exceptional long-raised cattle: 60-month female Matsuzaka beef and 48-month female Kobe beef - both revered for their marbling, depth of flavour, and melt-in-the-mouth texture.



Standout Dishes on the Water

The line-up was a testament to Tanaka’s artistry, paired with the shimmering backdrop of Tokyo’s night skyline:

  • Wagyu Roll: Raw Matsuzaka beef marinated in kelp, wrapped with flounder sashimi from Aomori.

  • Chateaubriand Sukiyaki: Unbelievably tender, luxuriously rich, and perfectly balanced.

  • Matsuzaka Beef Stick Sushi: A decadent reinterpretation of sushi.

  • Matsuzaka Beef Tempura: Crisp on the outside, juicy within.


Each dish celebrated premium Japanese ingredients with meticulous preparation and an attention to detail that rivalled any Michelin-starred dining room - only here, the city’s glittering skyline floated past your window.


Night view of Tokyo Bay with a brightly lit traditional yakatabune boat floating on the water, colorful reflections shimmering on the surface, and a full moon rising among high-rise buildings in the background.
City lights meet moonlit waters aboard a glowing yakatabune on Tokyo Bay

One-of-a-Kind Experience at Tokyo Bay Exclusive Gourmet Cruise

This is a by-inquiry-only event with limited seating, designed for those seeking one-of-a-kind culinary moments in Tokyo. Whether you are a devoted gourmet traveller or a Wagyu aficionado, this cruise delivers not just flavour, but a memory you will carry long after the plates are cleared.


Available by request → @toki.tokyo



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