Hotel Otsu dengan Spa

My partner and I thorougly enjoyed our stay at Biwako Hotel. All rooms face the beautiful Lake Biwako and the view was perfect. We even caught a snowfall on one of our mornings here. The staff was great and always friendly even when there was a slight language barrier. We tried their breakfast as well which was really good. Highly recommend renting their electric bikes and cycling around the lake during sunset. And also going for the Lake Biwako Cruise! The hotel onsen is wonderful as well, we will definitely be back

Stayed at Youzanso during late March 2023. It was during the cherry blossom season. We (family of four) had the room with the Lake Otsu view and private bath. The room was sufficient for 4 of us but I wouldn't call it spacious. However, the room and bathroom were clean. The room came with dinner and breakfast for 4 of us and costed about AUD800. The dinner and breakfast was quite good and would recommend to anyone considering the half board. It might get old if u were staying for few days but we were only there for one night. We toured Kyoto for the day and stayed here overnight then went back to kyoto for more sightseeing. It wasn't as convenient as if you stayed in Kyoto but the travel wasn't long or difficult. The property is bit dated and looks more like a hotel than a ryokan. The facilities are clean but also look dated as well. However, the public onsen is great, clean and the outdoor bath is a must. Took this photo of the external bath when no one was present and the ambiance was really something...

Very nice. The owner is very nice and helpful. He is able to speak English. Moreover, the private Onsen room is really impressive. Hope I can go next time.

**Breathtaking Views** The hotel offers stunning views of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. My room featured panoramic vistas of the tranquil waters and surrounding mountains, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. **Comfortable Accommodations** The spacious accommodations blended traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts. The cozy futon bedding ensured a restful night’s sleep, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. **Delicious Dining Options** Dining was a highlight, with a breakfast buffet that included a delightful mix of Japanese and Western dishes, emphasizing local ingredients. Fresh seafood and seasonal fruits made each meal enjoyable. **Excellent Location and Amenities** Located in Otsu, the hotel is perfectly situated for exploring the area. It offers free parking for guests and complimentary bike rentals, making it easy to explore the scenic lakeside paths and nearby attractions. The staff were incredibly helpful, providing recommendations for local sights, such as the historic Enryaku-ji Temple. Lake Biwa Hotel is a fantastic choice for a peaceful getaway. With stunning views, comfortable accommodations, and great amenities, I highly recommend it for a relaxing escape.

Came here with family during the Sakura season. It's easy to get to the onset hotel. After arriving at the Ogoto Onsen JR station, towards the south exit you will find a cell phone attached to a board with explanation how to use the phone to call one of the onsen hotels. After the call, their shuttle bus will then come and pick you up between 2pm to 6pm I think. The hotel staff in general are very welcoming. Our family scored a deal with their penthouse suite with private indoor and outdoor onsen. Four of us stayed in the suite and the price is only slightly more than four of us staying in 2 regular rooms. It also came with a beautiful fruit platter for you to enjoy. The suite is very spacious with 2 separate toilets. The bath area has 2 sinks, a shower stall as well as a japanese style bathing area connected to the 2 onsen baths (indoor one is a hinoki wood tub and the outdoor one is a stone one. The outdoor onsen does have a slight privacy issue as there are some residential buildings in a distance. While my mom was a bit too modest to use the outdoor one (which I am not and fully enjoyed it), she did take full advantage of the indoor private onsen. Of course the hotel also has a public onsen for the guests. In fact they have two. One in each towers. I used the one on the top floor in the morning and it was a bless seeing the sunrise while soaking in the hot onsen water. Our package also included both dinner and breakfast that were served at their private dining room. Both meals were done in kaiseki style. We were particularly impressed by their dinner. Not only was it cooked with high quality ingredients and with beautiful presentation, they did not skimp on the quantity as well. Often after eating dinner at other onsen hotel, I would not feel full and actually felt a bit hungry later at night, at Yumotokan the courses kept coming and I was completely stuffed at the end. In fact I did not finish the rice even though it was so yummy (cooked from scratch in front of us with a flamed mini-stove). All in all, a very satisfactory experience. I can recommend anyone who comes to Kyoto/Osaka and wants an excursion and experiences the traditional Japanese onsen.