🕓 2025/3/26
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About Shiga Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture is located in Japan's Kansai region and is a captivating area where rich nature, history, and culture harmoniously coexist. At its center lies Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, which nurtures beautiful waterside landscapes and a unique food culture based on the lake’s bounty.
Shiga is home to many historically significant landmarks, such as the national treasure Hikone Castle and Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, offering glimpses into Japan’s feudal era and Buddhist heritage.
For sightseeing, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views at Biwako Valley, admire autumn foliage along the famous Metasequoia Tree-lined Road, and stroll through the charming historical townscape of Omihachiman. Shiga also boasts distinctive local cuisine, including lake fish dishes, the renowned Omi beef, and funazushi, a traditional fermented sushi. The Hira Mountains and Mount Ibuki offer opportunities to experience the beauty of nature throughout all four seasons.
If you're planning a visit to Shiga, here are three handpicked luxury ryokan hotels that offer a truly special stay.
Top 3 Traditional Ryokan in Shiga
1. Ryotei Ryokan Yasui
■ The Unique Appeal of Ryotei Ryokan Yasui
Located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Ryotei Ryokan Yasui is a long-established ryokan founded in 1869 (Meiji 2). The inn was named “Yasui” by the Ii family, former lords of the Hikone Domain, and for over 150 years, it has preserved the traditions of Japanese hospitality and culture.
1. Nine Distinct Guest Rooms Overlooking Unique Gardens
One of Yasui’s greatest charms is that all nine guest rooms offer views of different garden landscapes, each with its own unique character.
The special room “Irori” is a Japanese-Western style suite featuring an irori (traditional sunken hearth) and a private cypress bath.
In the new wing, rooms such as Fuki, Yuzan, Yukari, and Kira are Japanese-style and also equipped with cypress baths.
Rooms in the main wing, such as Sarame, Kibun, and Eho, are Japanese-Western style and come with shower booths.
All rooms are non-smoking and have Wi-Fi. Breakfast and dinner are served either in-room or at the dining area, depending on the guest’s preference.
2. Seasonal Kaiseki Cuisine Featuring Local Ingredients
At Yasui, the philosophy of “local production for local consumption” is central. Their kaiseki cuisine features seasonal ingredients from Lake Biwa and locally raised Omi beef, produced in-house.
The head chef carefully selects the ingredients and prepares each dish with refined skill and care.
Dishes are served at the perfect temperature—cold dishes are chilled, and warm dishes are served hot—ensuring guests experience each item at its most delicious.
3. A Unique Space Where Tradition Meets Art
Passing through the front gate, guests are welcomed by a meticulously maintained garden, with a stone-paved path leading to the entrance.
Inside, antique artworks adorn the entryway, and the corridors are lined with tatami mats and natural wood, exuding the warmth of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Contemporary art pieces are thoughtfully placed throughout the ryokan, creating a harmonious blend of historical ambiance and modern sensibility—a truly unique and serene atmosphere.
4. Large Public Bath with Open-Air Onsen
Yasui features a large public bath with an open-air rotenburo (outdoor bath), using soft water drawn from 300 meters underground.
The bathing areas for men and women alternate by time of day, allowing guests to experience both styles.
Some guest rooms are also equipped with private cypress baths, enabling guests to enjoy a tranquil, personal bathing experience in the comfort of their room.
5. A Tranquil Location Near Hikone Castle
Though conveniently located just a short distance from the National Treasure Hikone Castle, Yasui offers a peaceful and secluded environment once you step inside the grounds.
Its hidden, quiet location in the heart of the city provides a relaxing retreat away from the hustle and bustle, allowing guests to unwind at their own pace.
■ Access Information for Ryotei Ryokan Yasui
- Official Website: https://www.ryoutei-yasui.jp/
- Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Hikone IC (Interchange)
- Address: 13-26 Asei-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture 522-0082, Japan
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9fhwVeyrhLNhP31o8
2. Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan
出典：おごと温泉 湯元館 公式HP
■ The Unique Appeal of Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan
Located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan is a long-established ryokan nestled within the 1,200-year-old hot spring area of Ogoto Onsen. Known for its spectacular views of Lake Biwa, a wide variety of onsen facilities, and refined Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine, Yumotokan has been captivating guests for generations.
1. Diverse Onsen Facilities for a Luxurious Bathing Experience
Yumotokan offers a range of onsen experiences within the property, each with its own unique atmosphere.
Notable among them are:
・Gesshin-no-Yu, an open-air bath with a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Biwa
・Yugen-Shoyo, a rustic yet elegant outdoor bath that immerses all five senses
The ryokan also features panoramic indoor baths, open-air rotenburo, saunas, and more, providing guests with a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
2. Kyoto-Style Kaiseki Cuisine with Seasonal Ingredients
The kaiseki cuisine at Yumotokan is crafted using carefully selected seasonal ingredients from the local Omi region, curated by the executive chef.
Guests can enjoy the essence of each season through dishes that please the eye, palate, and heart.
The flavors are delicate yet rich, offering a truly satisfying culinary experience.
Signature ingredients such as Omi beef and freshwater delicacies from Lake Biwa highlight the best of local cuisine.
3. A Wide Range of Stylish Guest Rooms
Yumotokan offers a variety of guest rooms, including:
・Rooms with private open-air baths
・Detached villas such as Hanare Karoi
All rooms are non-smoking. The rooms with private rotenburo allow guests to enjoy a tranquil onsen experience in the privacy of their own space.
Room types include traditional Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western hybrid rooms, and more, accommodating a range of guest preferences.。
4. Exceptional Location with Views of Lake Biwa
Situated along the shores of Lake Biwa, Yumotokan boasts stunning views of the lake throughout the property.
In particular, the panoramic bath “Kobo-no-Yu” offers an outstanding lake view, providing a calming space to soothe both body and mind.
Guests can also enjoy seasonal scenery from guest rooms and the restaurant, making for a memorable and picturesque stay.
■「 Access Information for Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan
- Official Website: https://www.yumotokan.co.jp/
- Shuttle Service: Available from the following nearby stations:
・Ogoto Onsen Station
・Hieizan Sakamoto Station
・Sakamoto-Hieizanguchi Station
・Sakamoto Station on the Sakamoto Cable Line - Address: 2-30-7 Noka, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture 520-0102, Japan
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tMDY9GhsqK2h6fr2A
3. Ao no Kotei BIWAFRONT HIKONE
■ The Unique Appeal of Ao no Kotei BIWAFRONT HIKONE
Ao no Kotei BIWAFRONT HIKONE is a wellness resort that opened on August 20, 2023, along the scenic shores of Lake Biwa. Its charm lies in its variety of guest rooms, onsen facilities, gourmet dining, and a wide range of activities.
1. A Wide Variety of Room Types
The main hotel building is 10 stories high and houses 38 guest rooms, all with lake views. Even the standard “Moderate Twin” rooms offer a spacious 50㎡ layout with terrace access. The largest guest rooms exceed 125㎡ and feature private open-air baths fed by natural hot springs. There are seven types of guest rooms, catering to various styles and preferences.
Additionally, the expansive property includes a glamping area with 12 villa-type accommodations. These villas come with open-air deck terraces, living rooms, bedrooms, and their own open-air onsen baths sourced from the hotel’s private hot spring.
2. Private Hot Spring Facility: Biwako Onsen Isame-no-Yu
The onsen water is drawn from the hotel’s original source, Biwako Matsubara Onsen, located 1,500 meters underground. The onsen facility “Isame-no-Yu” includes a variety of features:
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A deep outdoor bath
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Indoor baths with jet streams
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A sauna with automatic löyly system
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A cold water plunge bath
Guests can relax while gazing at the sunset over Lake Biwa and the Hira Mountains, making for a deeply rejuvenating experience both physically and mentally.
3. Dining at “Shunbo Tanetsu” – Seasonal Local Flavors
At the in-house restaurant Shunbo Tanetsu, guests can enjoy a diverse range of dishes made from local ingredients such as lake fish from Lake Biwa, Omi beef, Omi chicken, local vegetables, and fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. Meals are crafted to highlight the changing flavors of each season with various cooking methods.
For those staying in the glamping villas, BBQ courses and shabu-shabu courses are available, allowing guests to gather around a table grill in comfort.
Breakfast features a Japanese-Western buffet with a live cooking station where chefs and pastry chefs prepare dishes on the spot.
4. Expansive Facilities and Outdoor Activities
Spanning an area of approximately 40,000㎡, the resort features numerous recreational facilities for both adults and children, including:
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Tennis courts
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A 3x3 basketball court
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A kids’ park
The surrounding area is also perfect for cycling, water sports, and sightseeing at historical landmarks such as Hikone Castle and Taga Taisha Shrine.
Staying at BIWAFRONT HIKONE offers a holistic travel experience—refreshing the body at the wellness resort, and enriching the mind through encounters with local history and culture.
■ Access Information for Ao no Kotei BIWAFRONT HIKONE
- Official Website: https://www.biwa-front.com/
- Access: Approx. 10 minutes by taxi or shuttle from either Hikone Station or Maibara Station
- Address: 1435-91 Matsubara-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture 522-0002, Japan
- Google Maps : https://maps.app.goo.gl/P841DJ2ekcuxquZG7