5-Star Hotels in Shiga Prefecture, Japan

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.

This 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.

The room is very spacious with a breathtaking view. The restaurant offers specialty dishes made with local ingredients, and you can enjoy the beautiful Lake Biwa scenery while dining. The hotel also features unique, limited-time activities and provides a shuttle service to and from the JR station, which significantly helps with the inconvenient transportation. 👍🏻

We stayed one night at Biwako Grand Hotel Kyoomi and had a generally relaxing experience. The traditional tatami room was comfortable and suitable for staying with a young child. The hotel has a classic Japanese ryokan atmosphere, and the area near Lake Biwa is very peaceful. Staff were polite and helpful, and the shuttle service was convenient. Breakfast was simple but acceptable. One suggestion is that it would be appreciated if room arrangements could better match the photos shown on the booking page, as this would help set clearer expectations. Overall, a calm stay for travelers seeking a traditional experience.

1. The room was very spacious, with a sofa seating area, and the bed faced Lake Biwa, so I could enjoy the lake view right from bed. There was a light show at night, which the kids really enjoyed. 2. Check-in was very thorough, with full explanations of how to use each facility and their operating hours. 3. A complete set of toiletries was available for self-service at the front desk.