Whether it's from the bullet train traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto, from Hakone's cable cars and cruise ships, or simply from a Tokyo skyscraper on an exceptionally clear day, catching a glimpse of Mt. Fuji never fails to inspire. Even better then is spending an entire weekend with Mt. Fuji as your backdrop, as I did when I stayed at Sunnide Resort in Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Located just north of Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes region is home to breathtaking scenery and is a popular retreat from Tokyo. The town of Kawaguchiko lies along the lake of the same name, and is a great starting point for exploring the other lakes and Mt. Fuji itself. Getting to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo is fairly easy, with both highway buses and train options available. I used the JR Kawaguchiko pass, which includes round-trip fare as well as unlimited use of one of four bus lines in the Kawaguchiko area. I found the local sightseeing buses an easy way to get around the lake. Riding a highway bus from Shinjuku Station is slightly cheaper and requires no transfers, but does not include use of the local sightseeing buses. On the train from Shinjuku, take a Azusa Express on the Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, and then switch to the Fuji Kyuko Line for Kawaguchiko Station.

After exploring more of Kawaguchiko's southern shores, I returned to the station to be picked up by my hotel for the night, the Sunnide Resort. Sunnide offers pickup service to all JAPANiCAN.com customers, simply contact JAPANiCAN.com Customer Support or the hotel directly to reserve. I wanted to get to the hotel early to take advantage of its main selling point: outdoor baths attached to each guest room with sweeping views of both the lake and Mt. Fuji. Stepping into the warm bath with the snow-capped peak of Mt. Fuji directly in front of me, I could not have felt further from the concrete expanses of Tokyo.

Two room types at Sunnide are available on JAPANiCAN.com, and while both feature spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, the Japanese/Western Rooms in the newly constructed Sen Ikkei annex have proven extremely popular thanks to the private outdoor baths located on the veranda. I stayed in a Japanese/Western-style room, and was immediately impressed with its wide beds and spacious main room. Sunnide bills itself as a cross between a traditional ryokan and a more modern hotel. With a central tatami room, hot spring baths, and two meals included for all guests, Sunnide's facilities meet the main criteria for a ryokan, but its service style fits the Western hotel mold, with front desk staff in suits instead of the traditional room attendant in kimono.

Night soon came after settling in and sampling the bath, and as I tried in vain to take a quality picture of Mt. Fuji my stomach told me it was time for dinner. Sunnide's facilities may be a mixture of traditional Japanese and Western styles, but it's dinner service was pure Japan. And what a service it was. Following the traditional kaiseki style, dish after dish was brought to me, each offering an exquisitely prepared item almost as appealing artistically as it was delicious. Beginning with an assortment of seasonal appetizers, I was also treated to a plate of fresh sashimi, including glistening cubes of tuna, slices of yellowtail, and topped off by an Ise lobster. As I enjoyed my appetizers, a small brazier on my table heated a bamboo box, steaming its contents to perfection. Once the fuel burned itself out I opened the box to find thin slices of beef atop a bed of greens. A small set of sauces was provided to garnish, but completely unnecessary. On its own or with just a pinch of salt, the meat was simply amazing, and the meal's high point.

Like most kaiseki meals, the volume of each individual dish at Sunnide wasn't large, but by the time the tempura, udon, and dessert courses arrived to finish my meal I was already overwhelmed by the amount and variety of food I had eaten. Utterly satisfied, I left the dining room and quickly changed into the provided robe to head for Sunnide's hot springs.

The baths attached to Sunnide's guest rooms may not contain spring water, but luckily Sunnide also features separate hot spring baths for use by all guests who want to sample Kawaguchiko's hot springs. Like most most Japanese baths, Sunnide's facilities were separated between men and women, but both genders get an amazing view of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi. I had the men's bath to myself after dinner, and was quickly in danger of passing out due to extreme relaxation and contentment. After showering and a long soak I returned to my room for another session with the provided massage chair and fell asleep in record time.

Read a related article: Stunning Views of Mt. Fuji from your Hotel