Overview
Stay at Biwako Grand Hotel, a lakeside hot spring retreat with sweeping views of Lake Biwa—the largest lake in Japan. You’ll find yourself just 20 minutes by train from Kyoto, but a world away from the city’s crowds. Here, you can enjoy Japanese-style rooms with tatami floors, fresh seasonal cuisine, and open-air hot springs that overlook the tranquil waters of the lake. Change into a yukata, relax in your room, and let Japan’s traditional hospitality welcome you.
Accommodation
Choose from spacious Japanese-style rooms or special suites with open-air baths and private karaoke rooms. The rooms include tatami floors, low tables, futon bedding, and a calming lake or garden view.
The Kyō-ōmi rooms feature private open-air hot springs that let you gaze out across Lake Biwa from your own private space. Watch the sun set over the water, then look up to a night sky filled with stars. These rooms can host up to eight people, making them perfect for families or groups of friends. You can also enjoy dinner, drinks, and karaoke all in one room without leaving your space.
If you stay in a Japanese-style room, the staff prepares your futon after dinner, giving you time to unwind while they set up your bedding.
Dining
Your stay includes a seasonal kaiseki dinner and a breakfast buffet. The dinner features traditional Japanese dishes like sashimi, tempura, and grilled items. You can dine in your room or in the restaurant—the choice is yours.
The highlight of your meal is Omi-gyu, one of Japan’s top three wagyu beef brands. This finely marbled beef melts in your mouth with a rich, sweet flavor. Try it grilled on a hot stone or served in a hot pot as shabu-shabu.
Each dish uses seasonal ingredients and traditional methods that showcase the depth of Japanese cooking. For drinks, you can order sake, beer, or soft drinks to go with your meal.
In the morning, head to the restaurant for a buffet breakfast with both Japanese and Western options. Enjoy grilled fish, miso soup, rice, eggs, bread, soup, and coffee—all freshly prepared and available between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
Onsen and Wellness
The hotel’s biggest draw is its hot springs. You can choose from several types of baths, all offering a chance to soak and relax.
- Open-air spa with lake view – Bathe while you look out over Lake Biwa. The fresh air and quiet view make this a favorite.
- Japanese garden spa – Unwind in a large communal bath surrounded by greenery.
- Mikami no Yu – This open-air bath places you right next to the water’s edge for a stunning lakeside experience.
- Private outdoor spa – Reserve one of four private baths for use with your family or partner. These baths are great for first-time onsen users. (2,000 yen for 45 minutes)
The hot spring water here is a simple alkaline spring, known for its soothing and skin-softening properties. It may help relieve joint pain, fatigue, and high blood pressure, and it leaves your skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
Guests with Tattoos
If you have tattoos, you can enjoy a private bath by reserving one of the open-air spas for personal use.
Facilities
The hotel offers much more than just hot springs. You’ll find:
- Beauty salon – Treat yourself before or after dinner.
- Karaoke rooms – Enjoy singing in private with friends or family.
- Free Wi-Fi – Stay connected throughout your stay.
- Banquet facilities – Available for events and gatherings.
- Shuttle service – From Ogoto Onsen Station to the hotel.
Check-in from 3:00 p.m. | Check-out by 10:00 a.m.
Activities
Use the hotel as a base to explore both Kyoto and Shiga Prefecture. After visiting famous sites in Kyoto like Kiyomizudera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Arashiyama, return to the hotel in just 20 to 60 minutes by train.
Nearby in Shiga, visit:
- Lake Biwa – Take a boat ride or enjoy a lakeside walk.
- Hieizan Enryakuji Temple – A World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Tendai sect.
- Ogoto Onsen – One of Shiga’s most famous hot spring towns.
Additional Features
- Just 20 minutes from Kyoto JR Station
- Guest rooms with private open-air baths
- Rooms with private karaoke and dining
- Kaiseki meals featuring Omi-gyu wagyu beef
- Morning buffet with Japanese and Western options
- Reservation-only open-air private spas
- Traditional Japanese hospitality and room service
