When I first started searching for accommodation around the Fuji Five Lakes area, I had my sights set on Lake Kawaguchiko. Mostly because I didn’t know much about the other four lakes, and Kawaguchiko seemed the easiest to get to without a car. As I browsed through different options, I decided I wanted to stay somewhere close to the lake, surrounded by forest, and with a view of Mount Fuji.
That’s when I discovered that glamping was probably my best bet. While there are plenty of glamping options around Lake Kawaguchiko, the ones that ticked all my boxes were either out of budget or tricky to access. Eventually, I widened my search across the region—and that’s how I came across Gramercy Village at Lake Yamanaka.
I’ll admit, I’m not exactly into the rugged, mud and sticks type of camping. However, when I found out what glamping was, I thought, “Yes, this sounds fun!” Add in the idea of waking up to Mount Fuji in front of you and the white swans of Lake Yamanaka down the road, and I was sold.
The journey to Lake Yamanaka
The night before, we stayed at a traditional ryokan in Ito on the Izu Peninsula. To get to Lake Yamanaka, we took a local train from Ito to Atami, then changed at Atami for Mishima. I’d pre-booked the Sekitori highway bus online, which takes you from Mishima to Kawaguchiko (with a stop at Lake Yamanaka). The bus ride took about 1.5 hours and dropped us off right at the lake. Simple, smooth, and no stress.
Tip: If you’re booking bus seats, try to get a spot on the left side for the best views of Mount Fuji along the way.
One thing to note: our Suica cards didn’t work at Mishima Station’s exit gates. Being typical tourists, we didn’t know that Mishima was outside the Suica coverage area, so we had to pay the fare difference at the fare adjustment machines before exiting the station. It wasn’t a big issue and was easy enough to sort out.
First impressions of Gramercy Village
We arrived at Lake Yamanaka around 11.30 a.m. and from the bus stop, it was about a 20-minute walk to Gramercy Village. We were fully aware that check-in wasn’t until 3 p.m., but had hoped to drop off our backpacks before heading out to explore Lake Yamanaka. The walk itself was lovely, we got to wander through quiet local streets and a bit of forest along the way.
Unfortunately, when we got to the glamping site, there was no one at reception. We did see a few staff members restocking amenities and cleaning tents, but no one was available to help. After waiting around in the sitting area for about 30 minutes, we decided to just take our backpacks with us. I was so used to hotels in Japan holding luggage that I just assumed it’d be the same here. In hindsight, I probably should’ve contacted them beforehand to check. It wasn’t a big deal, just a bit inconvenient—especially since there didn’t seem to be any coin lockers in the area.
The glamping site itself was really cute and well enclosed. It was very welcoming, spacious and communal. They have both glamping dome tents and campervans on site, all organised neatly around a communal fire pit area.
We saw a rather nice-looking bakery café conveniently located just across the road from the glamping site, but of course, it was closed the one day we were there. Classic. So, in true “now what?” fashion, we set off on a walk in search of food. When we finally found a place, we had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, because apparently everyone else in Lake Yamanaka wanted to eat here too. Fortunately, the restaurant served Hoto Noodles and the food was really good — which made up for our slow descent into hangryness.
Glamping experience at Gramercy Village, Lake Yamanaka
This was my first time glamping, so I had nothing to compare it to — but I think this place might’ve just raised all my future glamping expectations. The dome tents at Gramercy Village were cute, ridiculously photogenic, and surprisingly well-equipped. We’re talking two full-sized beds, a couch, a dining area, Bluetooth speakers, and even a TV projector and screen. At one point I realised it was basically bigger than my previous apartment in Melbourne.
One of my non-negotiables when glamping-hunting is having a private bathroom inside the tent. I’m all for nature, but I draw the line at late-night treks in the rain to use shared toilets. I avoid it if I can. Remarkably, this tent came with its own little bathroom, complete with a shower, small vanity and glorious Japanese toilet (IYKYK). Luxury.
FYI Gramercy Village is also pet-friendly, which is great if you’re travelling with your furry sidekick. Despite being close to other glamping domes, it felt surprisingly private with no awkward tent-to-tent eye contact required.
Outside, we had our own spacious barbecue area where the host provided a pretty generous meat-and-sides spread for dinner. I had to BYO veggie protein (shout-out to 7-Eleven for always coming through), but they were happy to accommodate. Breakfast was a DIY affair: toasties for the grill, plus juice, yoghurt, salad, soup, and your usual tea and coffee.
Now, the weather? Absolute trash. Overcast, rainy, and not a single glimpse of Mount Fuji the entire time — so much for waking up to those dreamy postcard views. We did find a galaxy projector inside the drawers though, which kind of made up for it. Ah, nothing like stargazing indoors while the real thing is outside blanketed in clouds.
Still, I’d gone into this knowing that Mount Fuji is shy, so I made peace with it. It’s also why I chose a more affordable glamping option away from the expensive Lake Kawaguchiko spots. Fuji or no Fuji, it was still a solid experience at Gramercy Village.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- For everything that’s included, staying at Gramercy Village is surprisingly affordable. A solid deal for what you’re getting.
- The glamping site is easy to get to by walking and there aren’t many hills (although, I wouldn’t recommend lugging suitcases).
- The location is pretty much perfect. You get the best of both worlds — a serene forest atmosphere with the lake just a short stroll away.
Cons:
- The service was a little hit or miss — not bad, just … elusive. Maybe they were literally running around keeping the place going behind the scenes.
- We couldn’t find a place to leave bags or luggage at the vicinity, so if you’re arriving early, it’s worth calling ahead to check if they’ll hold your bags.
- There are zero convenience stores in the immediate area, so stock up on snacks, drinks, or anything essential before you arrive.
Final thoughts
When it comes to regional parts of Japan, having a car really makes things easier (a lesson we learned firsthand without one). We chose to stay at Gramercy Village mainly because it was within walking distance of the nearest bus stop, but we still ended up doing quite a bit of walking to get around Lake Yamanaka. We also used taxis, along with local buses, which run infrequently. Despite the weather being moody, I’m really glad we stayed here. Would I come back? Definitely—though next time, a car would be pretty handy.
I may not be cut out for old-school camping, but a glamping dome with heating, electricity, and comfy beds? I’m all for it. This is what I love about Japan: one night you’re staying in a 115-year-old ryokan, and the next you’re in a modern boujee dome-shaped tent. If you’re the type to choose your accommodation based on the experience, I’d recommend giving Gramercy Village a go. Hopefully the skies will be kinder to you and you’ll get that magical Mount Fuji wake-up view.
