The Fujiya

Established in 1878, the Fujiya Hotel was Japan's first resort Hotel, and is still one of the most famous hotels in Japan. It is actually a complex of 5 buildings that have been constructed over the years. These are: the main building, the Comfy Lodge, the Restful Cottage, the Flower Palace and the Forest Lodge (where we stayed). There are also three Japanese style rooms at the Kikka-So Inn - a former imperial villa built in 1895. Some of the older structures have been designated official "Cultural Assets" of Japan.

The Fujiya was started by a Japanese diplomat named Sennosuke Yamaguchi. His experience on diplomatic missions to the west convinced him of the need of a western style hotel in Japan to cater to international visitors. The main building, was designed by architect Heijiro Kawahara and was completed in 1891. The construction is western with a tile roof and Japanese style Gables. Kawahara also designed the Comfy Lodge and Restful Cottage. The Flower Palace was constructed in 1936. Fires destroyed the earliest of the buildings and many were damaged in a major earthquake in 1923.

The Fujiya covers a large area and you can devote a great deal of time to exploring the buildings and grounds. There is a large Japanese style garden, two full service restaurants, a lounge and a snack shop. There is even a wedding chapel and the pool and hot tub are heated from natural hot springs. One simply must visit the restrooms off of the lobby. This is how the other have lived circa 1930. The hotel has hosted many celebrities over the years from rock stars like John Lennon to Emperor Hirohito himself. There is a small museum detailing the history of the hotel in the basement. In spite of its impressive history, they have a fantastic "foreign" room rate. You get one of the more generic rooms but it's pretty damn nice for the price.

Hotel Website.





	The taller yellow building is the Flower Palace. Above are views of the hotel grounds from our building and a view out are window. You can see one of the trains passing buy through the woods. Above: A mill building on the grounds. Left: Japanese Koi in the garden.


	Views of the lobby and main dining room.


	Our room, not bad at all