A Stay with a Sense of Place

Rest amidst Natural Surroundings with an Overnight Stay at nôtori

While guests are welcome to visit nôtori solely to partake in the restaurant’s carefully crafted meals, the auberge also contains one room where travelers can spend a blissful night in comfort surrounded by natural beauty. While the room is set up for two guests, an extra bed can be prepared to accommodate a third. The glass doors at the foot of the bed look out onto a rustic scene of trees and shrubs that change with the seasons. You can relax outside on the balcony during the warmer months.

As with the food in their restaurant, the Horiuchi brothers have taken great pride in including locally-sourced materials in nôtori’s furnishings and decorations. Local wood from trees cut down during the construction of the auberge is incorporated into the structure of the building and the glassware is made in the Yamanashi region. Locally-made Japanese washi paper is used in creative ways throughout nôtori, adding a sense of homemade artistic inspiration.

Deepen Your Connection to the Region

Delve Into Ancient Beliefs and Traditions Associated with Mt. Fuji

If there is anyone who knows about reaching the summit of Mt. Fuji, it is local Yamanashi guide Satoshi “Chiyo” Chishiro. Chiyo has scaled the mighty mountain more than 50 times, including more than a few ascents in the old way, starting from the very foot of the mountain. He explains that while climbing mountains is now viewed as sport or challenge, the practice began in Japan as spiritual pilgrimage. “Mountains across Japan were considered sacred,” he says. “To climb Mt. Fuji was seen as stepping into another realm, one inhabited by the spirits and gods known as kami.”

The Japanese word for mountain-climbing nowadays is tozan, in former times it was referred to as tohai, which roughly translates to mean climbing while praying, thinking, and reflecting on one’s relationship to the spiritual world. While Chiyo acknowledges that the religious elements of the practice may be unfamiliar to most these days, he hopes that his tours of Mt. Fuji and its surroundings help to revive the essence of tohai: appreciating where you are in the moment, not just where you are going.

Climbing Mt. Fuji became extremely popular from the Edo period (1603-1868) onward, with whole societies in the shogun’s capital devoted to raising funds for what was then quite the daunting trip. The nearby town of Fuji-Yoshida blossomed into existence during this time, providing lodging, supplies, mountain guides, and entertainment for travelers preparing for the long trek up to the summit.

Located at the base of the Edo-period trail up the northern face of Mt. Fuji, Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine was constructed during the Edo period and became known as the official starting point of the climb. A small stone torii gate at the back of the shrine signifies the first step of each pilgrim’s journey up the mighty mountain. During your visit, Chiyo will point out particularly interesting features of this unique place, including rosters of those Edo-period climbing societies posted on boards inside the shrine’s main hall.

Take a Morning Drive with a Local Driver-Guide to the Hidden Scenic Spots of Mt. Fuji (Additional Option)

Begin your day with an introduction to the lesser-known sights of Mt. Fuji with your own local driver-guide. Witness the majesty of red Fuji at sunrise along with the mountain’s reflection on the surrounding lakes in the morning light—a breathtaking scene that will inspire you throughout the day and beyond.

*Visibility of Mt. Fuji may vary depending on weather conditions.

Delve Deeper into the History and Mystery of Mt. Fuji during Your Overnight Stay at nôtori

It is normal for travelers to be attracted by famous landmarks and Mt. Fuji is certainly one of Japan’s most recognizable sights. To discover what this special mountain means to local people, however, a tour with Chiyo and a locally-inspired dinner at nôtori is a great way to begin to appreciate its impact on the agriculture, cuisine, and culture of the region. Whether your interests lie in history, geography, nature, belief, agriculture, or some combination of them all, a tour with Chiyo around the foot of Mt. Fuji is an illuminating and rewarding experience that takes you deeper into everything that has fascinated people about the mountain for centuries.