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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

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



Located near the tranquil shores of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka, Numazu Club offers an unparalleled retreat where heritage meets contemporary luxury. This intimate hideaway, recognised with One Michelin Key, seamlessly blends history and modern comfort, making it a perfect escape for those seeking serenity and refinement.



A Historic Experience & Exclusive Accommodations


With only eight exclusive rooms, Numazu Club ensures an intimate experience surrounded by towering pines and an immaculately kept Japanese garden. The property is anchored by a beautifully preserved Meiji-era sukiya-style teahouse, which has been thoughtfully restored to retain its historical charm, while a modern annex provides sleek and understated accommodation. Every detail has been meticulously curated to evoke a sense of calm, from the traditional wooden architecture to the lush green surroundings.


Sunlit forest path with stepping stones, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage. Sunlight filters through, creating a peaceful scene.
The tranquil gardens within Numazu Club

Relax & Rejuvinate at the Refined Retreat


For those seeking relaxation, the outdoor bath and stone sauna offer a therapeutic escape, with open-air soaking experiences that allow guests to unwind amidst nature. The bath facilities at Numazu Club receive high praise, making it a destination worth visiting for those who appreciate the art of bathing.


Open-air bath with dark wood walls, a small stone pool, and two black lounge chairs on gravel. Sky is clear with soft clouds, serene mood.
The relaxing outdoor bath with an open roof

Gastronomic Delights at Chatei


Dining at Chatei, the hotel’s Chinese-inspired restaurant, is a highlight of the stay. Overseen by Ichirin-Hanare, a celebrated restaurant from Kamakura, the menu features a thoughtfully curated selection of seasonal delicacies. The dinner experience includes specialties such as drunken Shanghai crab, spicy "yodaredori" steamed chicken and delicately spiced mapo tofu, showcasing refined flavours with an elegant presentation. Breakfast continues this theme of sophistication, offering an array of local seafood, dim sum, and finely prepared small dishes, making each meal an experience to remember.


Drunken Shanghai crab, marinated in sweet Shaoxing wine on a textured blue and white plate, creating an artistic seafood dish presentation.
Drunken Shanghai crab, marinated in sweet Shaoxing wine

For a refined and tranquil retreat combining historical charm with modern luxury, Numazu Club stands as an exceptional hidden gem. Whether soaking in an outdoor bath, strolling through the pristine gardens, or indulging in an exquisite dining experience, every moment here is designed to be savoured.



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