Lisa S.
Yelp
In Japanese schools, we have this culture called "Gasshuku". It basically means "boot camp", and whether it be a sports team or an orchestra, most organisations will have a gasshuku or two to get ready for tournaments or concerts. It can range anywhere from hard-core practice at level P (puking) to hard core level P from drinking. It depends on what kind of group you're in.
This year, I'm in charge of the two gasshukus for my choir circle. We have about 120 members, and I lead my people to Yamanashi for the spring gasshuku, and to Nagano for the summer gasshuku. I'm like Noah of the Ark except I have choir scores in one hand and beer in the other.
So for the spring gasshuku, we stay in this place called Sunnide (pronounced Sunny-deh) Resort. The view is... Breathtaking. We only pay 6500 a night with breakfast and lunch, but that's only because we stay there for a week and they shove all 120 members into tiny rooms. But hey, we're college students.
Normally, the stay is about 9500~10,000 yen a night. That's totally reasonable, considering the awesome (like, heart-stops-a-beat AWEsome) full view of Mt. Fuji. It's so...beautiful... You might cry. I almost cried last year. This year, I actually cried because it was my last gasshuku.
The hotel itself has been under renovation, and I think they're making a new Roten-buro (outside onsen) as well as rebuilding the Uchi-buro (inside onsen). The rooms are regular tatami rooms inside the hotel, and the cottages have big, comfy bunk beds. I'd recommend the cottages if you're staying for a few days. If you're only there for a night or two, I'd say reserving a room inside the hotel would be a better choice, since you have the luxury of waking up and seeing Mt. Fuji as soon as you open the curtains.
I took a star off because their showers are super tiny, and if you're not careful enough, someone might be able to see through the smoky glass that they had mistakenly designed into the shower.
On travelling.
You do need a rentacar if you want to avoid the touristy bus/shuttle that runs around Fuji-san, but if you're travelling light, the shuttle takes you around Lake Kawaguchi. Lake Kawaguchi is a very popular area for both Japanese and foreign tourists, so it might be wise to visit on weekdays, and avoid transportation around the rush hours.