Hotel berhampiran Stesen Karasaki, Otsu

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!

I would have said that we had a wonderful stay: loved the peaceful environment, the food, the morning service…. But then they started the morning with a team of workers going through the temple grounds with deafening leaf blowing machines! Why do they disturb the peace like this? The temple claims to be environmentally conscious, but these machines are noisy, irritating, wasteful and bad for the environment. It made me leave the place in a bed mood.

We had a good time, the staff was very pleasant, there is a decent restaurant with great pancakes next door. Short walk to the beach, beautiful area. The showers are 500 yen, which is a bit surprising, but otherwise highly recommended accommodation:-)

Excellent location, right at the station. Check in 16h00. No wifi offered. Hotel access via public restaurant - feels weird to walk between diners to go out / return. Lockers far too narrow even for airline carry-on. Bathroom is clean, shower has small dry area, and water pressure varies. Capsules are spacious with power socket, lights, shelf, etc. The mattress is a few cm thick piece of soft foam and is so worn that it feels like a slab of concrete wrapped in a sheet. Very uncomfortable! And I am 77kg, not overweight. The pillow is a bag filled with what feels like gravel stones. Breakfast comprises one hot / cold drink, a small pile of lettuce leaves with dressing, a thick slab of white bread that is scored about half way deep into a small chessboard and very lightly toasted, and a thimble-size serving of sweet fruit yoghurt. They do offer to hold luggage until 16h00 after check-out, and collecting it is easy and fast.

Good value for money The hotel is located right in the city make is easy to travel around. The check-in process efficient, The bed was comfortable although the room was a bit small. Overall a nice place to stay 🙏 Thank you 🙏

Booked this stay to explore the areas around Lake Biwa. Reception was warm and friendly with an English-speaking host who provided us with the information for the stay. We booked the western style room as we preferred an attached bathroom, however the room condition was outdated and needs refurbishment, like peeling surfaces. The Japanese style room looked better when we caught a glimpse during check-out time. Nevertheless, location and amenities were great. Location is near major eateries and commercial centres by a short drive.

The lady receptionist is very helpful and kind. Much appreciated for your help! In general, the hotel situates for just a 2-minute distance from Seta JR Station, and it takes around ~20min travelling time from/to Kyoto. Reasonable facilities given the price is economic. Thank you for the hospitality.

本來以為帶衞生間就可以洗澡了。但衞生間不能洗澡。三樓可以。有温泉洗浴。我是騎自行車旅行的，所以自行車收到口袋裡後就衹能步行了。周圍可以吃飯的地方不多。這天氣一走一身汗。 榻榻米房間挺好。

Located behind the JR station which could take you to anywhere outside the town. Need to walk to other location within the town as there's no connecting train. The hotel is rather old but is ok to stay at affordable price. A restraurant within the hotel that serve good food.

Ok. First of all leave your expectations at home expecting hotel level service. Once you've done that if you want a cheap but clean place to stay this is it. This is a seinenkan - a facility for youth and youth-related organizations to conduct independent study and recreational activities, many of which have basic accommodation facilities but higher grade facilities than youth hostels. They are located all over Japan. I stayed in a tatami mat room on a floor with shared toilet facilities. The ground floor has a large communal bath - obviously separate for male and females. They have lights out at 11 p.m. and guests must return by the same time. There is a very modern cafe onsite serving cheap breakfasts (see photos) but the cafe closes by 6 p.m. There is a convenience store 10 minutes walk away so I suggest you buy snacks and beverages en route from JR Ishiyama station. For dinner, there is a family restaurant - good value and okay food - about 6 minutes walk away. The seinenkan is located on a small island by a historic bridge. The views of the river inlet flowing into the main Lake Biwa is relaxing, lots of bird wildlife, and lots of rowers (the seinenkan is a water sports facility too). and the sunrise and sunset views are lovely. The staff are very kind. It cost me ¥5,500 for one night and I will stay there again if I have the opportunity.