12 Best Hotels Near Lake Biwa And Otsu, Japan - Updated 2024

1. Kinkaku (from USD 97)

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Kinkaku is one of the places to stay near Lake Biwa, which is a ryokan featuring absolutely everything. Some of the important elements include free WiFi, private parking, and beautiful gardens. Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Each room comes with air conditioning, an oven, a microwave, a hot tub, and a desk. Select rooms feature a terrace while others offer mountain views.

Fire up your tea kettle first thing in the morning and get ready to go on exciting journeys through some of Japan’s most breathtaking scenery while you do so.

2. Hotel Boston Plaza Kusatsu (from USD 52)

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If you want to stay somewhere in Japan that looks and feels like the West, you don’t have to look any further. Hotel Boston features western food in their restaurant, a cafe bar, karaoke facilities, and massage treatment facilities. Every accommodation features a flat-screen television, a mini-fridge, an electric kettle, and an extensive supply of green tea.

You will be at a convenient location, only a minute’s walk away from JR Kusatsu Station, and the accommodations will provide all the comforts of home for you.

3. Vessel Inn Shiga Moriyama Ekimae (from USD 84)

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Everything you need for a comfortable stay is at Vessel Inn Shiga Moriyama Ekimae. Among other things, you can look forward to a continental breakfast every morning, a shared lounge, and free WiFi. Every room has its own private bathroom, in addition to a flat-screen television and a desk.

The distance to Kyoto is only 23 km (14 mi), which means that the welcoming personnel at the front desk will be more than delighted to assist you with making travel arrangements.

4. Reiah Hotel Otsu Ishiyama (from USD 35)

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Reiah Hotel is another great pick because of its easy access to Ishiyama Station. These contemporary accommodations have televisions with flat screens, free WiFi, air conditioning, heating, refrigerators, and kettles for making tea. You may start your day off right by indulging in their breakfast buffet, which features a variety of regional and western dishes.

After a day filled with exciting new experiences and discoveries, you can unwind with a refreshing drink at the pub restaurant that they have. They will have something for everyone to eat there.

5. Urban Hotel Minami Kusatsu (from USD 57)

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Urban Hotel lives up to its name with its modern, sleek edges and contemporary style. Guest rooms feature LCD TVs, refrigerators, tea kettles, and complimentary toiletries. Their restaurant serves a delectable selection of regional specialties, and their breakfast buffet includes items typical of western cooking in order to accommodate all of the members of your group.

Just a minute’s walk away from the JR Minami Kusatsu Station, you can relax in the knowledge that all of Japan’s treasures are at your fingertips.

6. Yumoto Onsen Ohara Sansou (from USD 129)

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Ohara Sansou features one of the area’s prettiest outdoor hot springs. They also offer a unique dining experience with hot-pot dinners and hot spring foot baths in their cafe. At night, you’ll enjoy traditional Japanese accommodations in their futon beds on tatami floors.

While bathroom and toilet facilities are shared, each room comes with its own flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Another unique touch, you might want to enjoy a pottery class or private hot spring bath during your time here.

7. Hotel Unizo Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

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Hotel Unizo Kyoto Shijo Karasuma is still quite new and it’s only a four-minute walk away from the Karasuma Subway Station in the City Centre District. It’s 10.2 km (6.3 miles) from Otsu. You’ll find your room has an en-suite bathroom, stocked with a hairdryer and toiletries. Air conditioning, a TV, and a desk workspace are provided. For your security, the elevators require a card key, and there’s a safety deposit box. The rooms are not very large but they are comfortable, clean, and simply furnished.

Guests can book smoking or non-smoking rooms. There’s a cafe at the entrance which is great for breakfast. The Nishiki Market is a nearby attraction, as is the Nijo Castle and there are many restaurants in the area. The hotel should not be confused with the Hotel Unizo Kyoto, which is now closed.

8. Setre Marina Biwako (from USD 182)

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The 5-Star Setre Marina Biwako hotel has a lake view in one of Moriyama’s best-rated areas. The rooms are fitted with terraces, while indoors, you get air conditioning. A desk is provided, and there’s a hairdryer available. Toiletries and a private bath with a bathrobe and slippers are supplied. TV and a clothing rack, a phone, and a seating area set this apart as there’s also a refrigerator. Parking is free. A scrumptious English or Irish breakfast is served so you can enjoy getting out and about on a full stomach.

The closest landmarks are Lake Biwa Museum 4.9km (3 miles) away, Sanzen-in Temple 10km (6.2 miles), and Omimaiko Beach 12.5km (7.7 miles). The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 59km (36.6 miles) away. The hotel has soundproofing, heating, and non-smoking rooms. Enjoy daily maid service and a 24-hour front desk.

9. Cafe & Pension SUOMI (from USD 33)

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Cafe & Pension SUOMI offers peaceful lake views at affordable rates. You can choose between shared dormitories or private rooms. No matter your preference, you’ll enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Biwa’s glistening waters.

It shouldn’t take you more than half an hour to walk to the JR Omi Takashima Train Station, regardless of where your travels lead you. There is also the option of receiving complimentary pick-up from the station. Cafe & Pension SUOMI is an excellent choice for this picture-perfect region of Japan because of its convenient location and high level of maintenance.

10. Royal Oak Hotel Spa & Gardens (from USD 208)

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Royal Oak Hotel & Spa is exactly what you’d expect - sumptuous elegance. Their spacious guest rooms feature large windows, flat-screen TVs, and refrigerators. Many of these guest rooms overlook the lush gardens and offer private bathrooms. Enjoy outdoor pool and spa facilities and show-stopping views of Lake Biwa.

After a luxurious and relaxing day, you can choose between four on-site restaurants. Belle Recamier offers elegant French cuisine while Kitsuya features Japanese dishes. Cafe de Labbye offers western-style dishes while Ishiyama features a savory teppanyaki grill. No matter which spot you choose, you’ll enjoy fine dining in a beautiful setting.

11. Hotel Brighton City Kyoto Yamashina (from USD 42)

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Brighton City Kyoto Yamashina is a bright spot with spacious guest rooms that let in wonderful bursts of fresh air and sunlight. Plan to relax in the hotel’s public bath and sauna. After that, you should get a massage at one of their spas so that your muscles may fully recover.

This 3-star hotel is located immediately across the street from the Yamashina Train and Subway Station, which enables guests to go to both Kyoto and Shiga in a single day with ease.

12. Biwako Hanakaido (from USD 280)

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Biwako Hanakaido comes highly recommended, and with good reason. Their clean, crisp guestrooms come in two varieties. Japanese-style rooms feature tatami floors and traditional Japanese futon bedding while western-style rooms feature beds and a sofa. No matter your preference, each room in this Lake Biwa accommodation will offer air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and an attached bathroom.

Spend your days in their indoor/outdoor hot springs; luxuriate in any of Biwako Hanakaido’s three dining options, and soak up those spectacular views of Lake Biwa.

Peace and tranquility written all over it

Otsu’s kind of perfect, isn’t it? Nestled beside Lake Biwa, peace and tranquility are written all over it. Equally wonderful, it’s a bit of a gateway to Japan with its access to Ishiyama, JR Minami Kusatsu, and Yamashina train stations. Kyoto and Shiga will be your easiest day trips. I hope you’ll take advantage of everything this region has to offer. It’s one of those vacations that’ll continue to inspire you, no matter where life takes you next.