Luxury Ryokan Gora Kadan Fuji Opens in Japan - AFAR

"Opening July 20, 2025, this 39-suite luxury retreat—positioned as the closest high-end property to Mount Fuji within Fuji‑Hakone‑Izu National Park—was designed so guest rooms, restaurants, a library, spa, and onsen baths frame unobstructed views of the snow‑capped peak. Each modern Japanese room features tatami straw-mat floors, cedar ceilings, and sliding shoji screens; most face Mount Fuji while others look toward Hakone’s mountains and a garden. Every suite includes a private hot-spring bath fed from 5,000 feet below ground; the property also offers a communal onsen, full-service spa, gym, infinity pool, three freestanding villas (one with a private pool), and a 36-hole golf course. Dining emphasizes seasonal ingredients and a rare ryokan-level culinary pedigree: a three‑Michelin‑star chef oversees the teppanyaki grill, a two‑star sushi master offers a personalized okonomi‑style sushi experience, and additional options include kaiseki, kappo ryori, and a small cocktail bar. Evoking the imperial elegance and modern comfort of its original Hakone predecessor—formerly a summer villa for Prince Akihito—the new outpost blends traditional design with high-end amenities." - Yukari Sakamoto