Posted on Feb 18, 2026
debraecamille
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!
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Price per night from:AU$ 546
Posted on Jan 28, 2026|Biwa No Kaze Japanese Style Room with Open Air Bath
christywugagaExtremely 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!
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Price per night from:AU$ 266
Posted on Apr 14, 2026
Guest User
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!
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Price per night from:AU$ 271
Posted on Apr 4, 2026|San-yaso Room with Open Air Bath
Anonymous UserGosh, 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.
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Price per night from:AU$ 338
Posted on Jul 5, 2026
Guest UserThis hotel offers incredible value for money! It's located right by Lake Biwa in Otsu City, boasting stunning views and an affordable price.
Getting here is easy: from Otsu Station's North Exit, cross the road directly and walk about 20 meters to your left. You'll spot a small platform – I've included the train schedule in the photos for reference.
There's a convenient mini-mart on the first floor for snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. For breakfast, you have a choice of two floors. The 36th floor offers Japanese-style breakfast, but by 8 AM, it was full. The 37th floor, however, has plenty of Western and Japanese options, so you won't have to wait.
Near the hotel, you'll find a large supermarket and a fantastic, highly recommended BBQ restaurant – delicious and budget-friendly.
Taking a stroll along the lakeside is incredibly relaxing. You'll see many eagles 🦅, people fishing, and dog walkers – it's wonderful to experience the laid-back town life. Staying here makes it easy to visit the Lake Biwa observation deck and Kyoto.
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Price per night from:AU$ 275
Posted on Jan 30, 2026
Guest UserThe hotel is located right outside the Otsu Station ticket gates. Entering the property is through the attached bar and restaurant.
Most of the nearby restaurants seem to close around 11pm.
There are no cooking utensils, but you can bring your own food and drink in the common areas. There are also pots and water dispensers, so we were able to eat cup ramen inside the hotel.
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Price per night from:AU$ 29
Posted on Aug 20, 2025
Nathan Nan
The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the nearest JR station. Google Maps indicates there's a bus stop nearby, but that seems to be incorrect, as the bus goes in the opposite direction. The hotel breakfast is delicious, with all-you-can-eat dishes and drinks. The hotel is very large with a beautiful lake view. I would definitely stay here again.
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Price per night from:AU$ 94
Posted on May 8, 2026|Deluxe Floor Lumina Twin Room
Guest UserFirst 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!
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Price per night from:AU$ 327
Posted on Mar 29, 2026
Guest User
This hotel is literally a stone's throw from Kusatsu Station, right next to the station exit with the elevator. It's incredibly convenient for getting to Otsu, Ishiyama, and even Kyoto, truly a prime location. The room was surprisingly cheap and incredibly spacious, especially compared to rooms in Osaka and Kyoto. If you're exploring the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, staying here offers fantastic value for money. However, the facilities felt a bit dated, and the air conditioning was very slow to respond.
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Price per night from:AU$ 72
Posted on Jul 20, 2025
Guest User
Well, for the price... it's a really good hostel.
The communal bath is large and the private showers are well-equipped. (I'm giving it a high rating for not having a communal shower.)
However, it might be a bit crowded.
The location is nearly impossible to get around without a car or bike.
I wonder if people in their 20s would find it easy to get around. I'm not sure about people in their 30s...
Even the desk staff aren't Japanese. It's incredibly global.
I thought I was in Europe.
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Price per night from:AU$ 43