5-Star Hotels in Shiga Prefecture, Japan

A beautiful hotel with a stunning view of Lake Biwa. The Shuttle bus to and from Katata station made it convenient, as long as you time your transport well, and the staff were very friendly and professional. We recommend staying here for a more peaceful and luxurious experience in Kyoto outside of the city, and it would also be good to visit shirahige shrine and cycle around Lake Biwa!

I booked the VIP room and it was huge! It really felt like a traditional ryokan, which was superb! Having the onsen right in the room was also fantastic, honestly. I absolutely loved my stay here. It was so relaxing, and the lake view was just magnificent. Since I'll be in Kyoto for the next few days, I'm definitely coming back for another night to enjoy the onsen and the stunning view of Lake Biwa again.

Transportation: The hotel is right next to Changbin Station, very close, so there's no need for a shuttle. Room: The carpet in the room had a strange, foot-odor-like smell, as if something had been spilled on it. However, the bed faced a scenic window, which was quite nice, though the curtains weren't blackout. Hot Springs: The outdoor hot springs weren't particularly clean. My friend, who has allergies (but usually doesn't react to topical exposure), had an allergic reaction after using them. Entertainment: There's a game room with activities like table tennis, which doesn't require reservations. You can just go in when it's empty, which is pretty good. Food: The breakfast and dinner were fantastic, no complaints there. The restaurant also had a great view, and I even saw a rainbow in the morning. The snacks were good too.

Facilities: A bit old-fashioned but very clean and well-maintained. Cleanliness: Very clean, even cleaner than Mitsui. Environment: Having a balcony is amazing! The air is fresh, the scenery is unbeatable, and taking a walk by the lake during the day is simply blissful. Service: The staff are mostly Japanese and don't speak English, but check-out was super fast and the shuttle bus was very punctual. I hope to have the opportunity to return to this hotel again in the future. It has a large room, a balcony, is very quiet with few people, and the environment is exceptionally beautiful.

I was very satisfied with my stay at this hotel. The staff, from reception to service, were warm and friendly. The hotel's environment is excellent, right by the lake with beautiful scenery. The breakfast selection was rich, offering both Western and local dishes, and everything tasted delicious.