Hotel Hot Springs di Shiga Prefecture, Japan

The location is very quiet and calm. For those who want a break from the main cities this place is highly recommended. The hotel picked us up from the nearby station and the communication was very active and accommodating (I emailed them when we were in Kyoto station in advanced and once we reached the local station, their shuttle was already waiting for us 🥹). Biwako Valley is near so it was our only planned big activity in the area aside from walking along the quiet road and trying convenience store food and using the 24 hour laundry place nearby. The food is very healthy and you will experience traditional Japanese service (they prepared colorful Yukatas for us and we wore them for bfast and dinner in their restaurant) . The private onsen was great and you can also use the public bath in the hotel itself. I cannot list everything but our experience here was truly amazing!

The hotel is about 800 meters from JR Nagahama Station. As I missed the last shuttle bus on arrival, I ended up dragging my luggage and navigating for at least 15 minutes. On the way back, I was familiar with the route and it took less than 10 minutes with luggage. The next day, I took the Chikubushima ferry, and Nagahama Port is also not far from the hotel, reachable within a 10-minute walk. It's very close to Lake Biwa, just seconds away, and the sunsets are absolutely stunning. Due to my early-to-bed, early-to-rise itinerary, I didn't book breakfast or dinner. From 3-6 PM, there are complimentary drinks and snacks, and from 9-11 PM, various alcoholic beverages and snacks are offered. Recreational facilities include table tennis. The public bath was also quite clean. The ventilation in the room's toilet wasn't great, and the drain smell was tolerable. It seemed there were many families with children staying over the weekend, so the soundproofing might not be ideal; I could clearly hear children making noise in the hallway from my room. On the first night, I was knocked on the door twice in the middle of the night... After reporting it to the front desk, the hotel stated it wasn't done by staff. It made me feel a bit uneasy, especially traveling alone.

Extremely satisfied with this hotel, definitely a vacation experience you won't regret! First off, the check-in service was impressive, with staff literally kneeling to assist us, and they provided a very thorough introduction to all the hotel's facilities and services. The lady who helped us was beautiful, gentle, and spoke excellent English 👍 Next, the hot springs: We booked a Japanese-style room with a private onsen, and the view was absolutely stunning. The private hot spring was incredibly comfortable; all three of us could soak together with no problem, haha. The hotel's public baths were also super clean, and there was almost no one else there when we went, which made for a very relaxing soak. Then there's the food: The dinner was Kaiseki cuisine plus Omi beef shabu-shabu, which was surprisingly delicious! I thought I might not be used to Kaiseki, but that wasn't the case at all! The Omi beef was also of superb quality, incredibly fresh and flavorful after a quick dip in the clear broth. Breakfast was also very rich and varied! The room size was also perfectly fine. The only slight drawback is that check-out time is too early... 10 AM... If it could be a bit later, it would be absolutely perfect!

Yumotokan was our first stay at an onsen and first trip to Otsu and Lake Biwa. It blew us away at how amazing and wonderful everything was. We took a local train from Kyoto Station to Ogotoonsen Station. The views of the mountains on one side and the lake on the other were stunning and the shuttle service from Ogotoonsen Station to Yumotokan was much appreciated. We reserved two of the Kotone suites with their own private baths attached to our rooms for one night and we were not disappointed. The rooms included breakfast, dinner, and a hour later check-out time with the reservation. The staff were very kind and accommodating, helping us with whatever we needed (so glad we asked for help with the yukata! It became a cute memory for us). The rooms were comfortably spacious with a gracious amount of amenities and the attached private onsen baths were incredibly healing. We utilized them as many times as was healthy. Both the breakfast buffet and course dinner were amazingly delicious and something that'll be on our minds for awhile. Even our check-out was stress free and we were able to buy souvenirs from a little shop they had inside the lobby. I wish I knew what shampoo and treatment they use or where I can purchase it because it left our hair super soft and silky smooth, nothing like what we use at home. Our stay was amazing and we would highly recommend Yumotokan. We'll definitely visit again on our next trip to Japan, hopefully for a couple more nights!

Gosh, where do I even begin? This stay was frankly perfect. The view was amazing, the open-air private bath was amazing, the service was amazing, the food provided was amazing. There’s even a shuttle bus from the nearby station. I loved it. My friends loved it. The staff even ran across the whole lobby lounge from the check-in counter, and did a full dive into the souvenir store counter for us. Most memorable icecream buying experience.

This hotel is a renovated old building, but the refurbishment was very thorough. The room was clean and new, with a great view. The staff were enthusiastic and helpful. The hotel also offers a shuttle bus service. Besides the dinner being a bit pricey, there's really nothing to complain about. By the way, I'd love to know what brand the lobby's air freshener is, it smelled wonderful!

We stayed one night at Biwako Grand Hotel Kyoomi and had a generally relaxing experience. The traditional tatami room was comfortable and suitable for staying with a young child. The hotel has a classic Japanese ryokan atmosphere, and the area near Lake Biwa is very peaceful. Staff were polite and helpful, and the shuttle service was convenient. Breakfast was simple but acceptable. One suggestion is that it would be appreciated if room arrangements could better match the photos shown on the booking page, as this would help set clearer expectations. Overall, a calm stay for travelers seeking a traditional experience.

First time staying at this hotel! It's not super close to the JR station, but they do have a shuttle bus. It's about a 15-minute walk otherwise. The hotel itself is very large and impressive, and the front desk staff were incredibly warm and professional. The room was spacious with a beautiful view, all facing the lake. It was also very clean and the facilities felt relatively new. The large public bath on the fourth floor was very convenient to use, well-equipped, and also offered a nice view. Breakfast was abundant, with both Japanese and Western options, and the service staff were very friendly. All in all, if I visit Lake Biwa again, I'll definitely stay here!

Even though this hotel isn't a villa resort, everything was impeccable. It's incredibly busy, yet perfectly managed. The dinner, in particular, was absolutely amazing, easily comparable to a Michelin-starred experience. Chef MAEDA's menu was incredibly thoughtful, with dishes that excelled in color, aroma, and taste, using top-notch ingredients. He even came out frequently to check on guest satisfaction, which was a lovely touch. It's truly worth revisiting! The private onsen in the room was so comfortable; we used it several times a day, soaking while enjoying the sea view. ♨️

The hotel's environment and rooms are very beautiful, and you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. Although there is no convenience store near the hotel, there are different drink options in the hotel. Although the hotel staff do not know much English, their service attitude is very friendly. It is a holiday Great place to relax