Traveling with Kids: Grand Mercure Yatsugatake, Yamanashi Prefecture
Hello. I'm Momo.
I am a housewife who enjoys managing household finances and building assets while raising children.
I went on a trip with my preschooler and my spouse, a family of three.
Our destination was the Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa.
It is a popular hotel for families because it has a kids' space called 'Mori no 8'.
This time, we chose a one-night, two-day plan with dinner and breakfast included for about 25,000 yen.
We left at 9:00 AM and the drive took about 3 hours.
These were our companions for the drive.
Two CDs borrowed from the library. We set off in high spirits.
Makiba Park
For lunch, we stopped by the Yamanashi Prefectural Makiba Park.
Since it is a prefectural park, we were able to interact with animals for free. We could see cows, sheep, and goats from the parking lot, and there were benches too. It seems like a good place to eat a light snack.
This time, we had lunch at the attached restaurant.
We had lunch while watching animals through the large windows. I heard there are terrace seats, but since our family doesn't like bugs, we had a relaxing meal indoors.
Arriving at the hotel
Although hotel check-in is at 3:00 PM, the kids' space opens at 2:00 PM. We arrived early and were all set.
When we checked at the lobby, we were told we could enter our room at 2:30 PM. Once we finished the reception process, we could pick up our key at the dedicated counter after that time.
Kids' Space 'Mori no 8'
At 2:00 PM sharp, we headed to the kids' space 'Mori no 8' in the basement.
The kids were moving their bodies on the large athletic equipment. After about 30 minutes, it started to get crowded, so we headed to the next spot while touring the hotel facilities.
Heading to the lounge on the third floor
Drinks and snacks are provided at the third-floor lounge starting at 3:00 PM. Drink dispensers were installed, allowing guests to enjoy soft drinks and alcohol. There was also a beer server.
Since it started getting crowded there too after 3:00 PM with the snacks and drinks, we moved to the baths.
Large Public Bath
We went to the large public bath while it was still empty, as we had dinner planned for 5:30 PM.
The water in the bath was about 38 degrees Celsius. They said they really enjoyed the 'big bath,' which also included an open-air bath, a sauna, and a cold water bath.
There was also a hot spring lounge, where vinegar drinks and green tea were prepared for after the bath.
Dinner is buffet style
Dinner is a 90-minute buffet with rotating seatings.
There was a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes.
Baby food was also available.
My favorite sushi and delicious meat.
Sweets were lined up right next to them, so I ended up more obsessed with the desserts than the meal.
The soft-serve ice cream was rich and delicious.
A sky full of stars at night
From the rooftop deck, you can see the scenery of the Yatsugatake Mountains, and at night, a sky full of stars...
Unfortunately, it was cloudy during our stay, so we couldn't see the stars.
I'd like to try again if I get the chance.
The night lounge
The lounge next to the first-floor lobby is open from 9:00 PM. Drinks and snacks are provided, and alcohol is also available.
Unlike during the day, there was no beer in the night lounge.
I also looked around for some alcohol, which I hadn't had in a while.
Various bottles were set out, including whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, and rum.
I made a vodka and orange juice, and my husband made a rum and coke, and we took them to our room along with some snacks.
We spent a relaxing night.
A leisurely morning
We were told the rooftop deck would be open from sunrise, but since it was cloudy, we spent our time relaxing.
The large public bath opens at 5:00 AM.
The kids' space is said to be open from 7:00 AM.
Our family was exhausted, so we all woke up in time for breakfast at 8:00.
Breakfast Buffet
Breakfast was also buffet-style.
Unlike dinner, this was limited to 60 minutes. The time flew by before we knew it.
There was a variety of food, including Japanese-style rice, miso soup, and natto, as well as Western-style French toast and scrambled eggs.
Just like at dinner, there were, of course, sweets available as well.
Coffee was also provided at the exit for guests to take with them.
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
After breakfast, we went to the kids' space.
They ran around until the very last minute before check-out.
By the end, they were drenched in sweat. They fussed, saying they wanted to take another bath, but it was time to leave.
They climbed into the car looking reluctant to leave, and we departed from the hotel.
After finishing our two-day, one-night trip
There were no clocks inside the hotel.
I assume this is from the perspective of 'relaxing without worrying about the time,' but I often felt restless worrying about meal times and check-out.
Because it is 'popular with families with children,' the hotel was full of preschoolers.
I would not recommend it to those who dislike noisy environments.
Since it was our first time visiting, I couldn't manage our time well, and I felt a bit frustrated.
Things rarely go according to schedule when traveling with children, though...
The three of us were together the whole time, so I wonder if we could have managed better if one of us had done something else while the others were playing.
If I were to go again
If I go again, I definitely want to see the stars next time!
Since we stayed during the rainy season, I would like to visit at a different time of year next time.
It also seems like it would be fun once my child is in elementary school.
Even preschoolers can have a great time, but once they have a bit more stamina, we could fully enjoy the athletics during the day and stargazing at night.
In conclusion
When children are small, you have a lot of luggage wherever you go.
Preparing drinks and changes of clothes, taking measures against the heat, and focusing on the child often leaves parents exhausted.
In that regard, Grand Mercure Yatsugatake has everything you need inside the hotel, so there was no need to travel around, and both parent and child were able to relax.
The indoor athletic area 'Mori no 8', the drink and snack service in the lounge, and the large public bath were all appealing because there were places for both children and adults to enjoy themselves.
On this trip, I realized that when children are small, it's nice to just 'spend time relaxing at the hotel' instead of packing too much into the schedule.
The three of us in our family were able to have a wonderful time.
I hope we can go again.