The largest lake in Japan is Lake Biwa. It is large enough to seem like an ocean but from the shore it’s hard to really feel the impressiveness. Every room at the Biwako Hotel has a lake view and every room above the fifth floor is guaranteed to have a spectacular view of Lake Biwa.
Not only that, it comes with a natural hot spring. There is enough at the Biwako Hotel to motivate anyone to come here.
A hotel with an innovative architecture
This picture was taken from the park between the hotel and Lake Biwa.
From this view you can tell the building has a gentle curve to it. Every room has a lake view balcony. The black area that is pushed in on the fourth floor is the outdoor bath where you can enjoy the view of Lake Biwa while you bathe in an onsen.
The exterior is covered in blue tile and is meant to look like rippling waves from above. First time visitors are always surprised at this innovative design.
The building was designed by César Pelli who was in the list of “Top 10 most influential architects in America”. It’s said that the exterior represents the look of Lake Biwa.
His famous designs are the Petronas Towers in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur as well as The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and recently Abeno Harukas. He is a leader of Post Modern architecture.
The hallway for the guest rooms have small round windows that face the mountain and are reminiscent of a luxury cruise liner. This hotel is enjoyable inside and out with such unique designs.
The view of Lake Biwa and Otsu Port from the balcony
Otsu Port has been the main port to Emperor Tenji’s Omi Otsu no Miya Imperial Palace since the seventh century.
In 1586 Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Otsu Castle on these grounds. Now all that’s left is a monument to them near the Otsu Port pier which is a 5 minute walk from Biwako Hotel. After the Battle of Sekigahara Tokugawa Ieyasu tore down Otsu Castle making it one of the shortest periods a castle was standing of only 15 years.
It is this writer’s opinion that learning about such history is the romance of travel.
Have a leisurely time viewing the lake from a balcony.
The sightseeing boat Michigan docks at this port even now.
You can choose 4 different plans on the Michigan Cruise which are between 60 and 90 minutes to enjoy food and music. They operate every day. If you want to dine on the vessel we recommend you make reservations.
Those that have time should definitely take the Biwako Tour of Islands, to check out the rare inhabited lake island of Okishima, or Chikubushima which is known as a power spot. This tour is available between May and November on weekends and holidays, but be sure to make reservations beforehand.
The Biwako Hana Funsui fountain is a sight seen every day from Biwako Hotel
What’s great about the view form Biwako Hotel is this Biwako Hana Funsui fountain show.
Water is shot out by computer controlled water cannons 3 times a day, and is especially beautiful at night when lit up. It is like a fireworks display.
You can enjoy a Biwako show for free every day even on weekdays.
Operation times 12pm to 1pm 3pm to 4pm 6pm to 7pm (lit up at night)
Enjoy the natural hot spring and food at Rurinoyu
For food head to the restaurant on the second floor.
Pictured above is the Atrium Lounge which has ceilings vaulted up to the fifth floor. Mainly you can enjoy light meals here. This restaurant always has something different or special by season so be sure to check it out.
Head to Restaurant The Garden for the buffet dinner, “Kohan Viking”.
Enjoy Shiga Prefecture’s best local produce such as Omi Beef, Tanada rice from the Ogi area of Otsu city, preserved Ayu fish, and preserved clams and many other local delicacies at this buffet.
Eat what you want all you want while watching the fountain show and enjoying the view of Lake Biwa, Hiei and Hira. With the aroma and sounds of cooking spilling out of the open kitchen you can easily end up over eating.
The price for the buffet is: “Yoru Kohan Viking” adults 4500 JPY, children between 5 and 12 are 2800 JPY “Asa Kohan Viking” adults 2376 JPY, children between 5 and 12 are 1188 JPY
Aside from that there is French cuisine that you eat with chopsticks, teppanyaki, sushi, and a bar so you will not want for choices here.
After the meal head to the bathhouse! You can use the yukata and slippers provided by the hotel to get to the fourth floor onsen.
The facilities are well stocked as well with, a large indoor bath, outdoor bath, sauna and a drink bar free of charge.
Security is tight with entry to the bath area is only available with a key card given to guests and day trip onsen guests.
In closing
Have you ever been in a situation where you can’t decide what hotel or inn to use because everyone in the group or family wants different things, with some wanting Japanese food while others western, or when some want to sleep on tatami while others on bed?
At Biwako Hotel you can enjoy a natural onsen, an onsen inn experience with yukatas, and most rooms are a spacious 40sqm with a lake view and many restaurants to choose from.
It is a hotel that satisfies everyone’s needs!
Additionally access to Kyoto is very easy as well.
A 5 minute shuttle bus ride takes you to JR Otsu Station. From JR Otsu Station a 10 minute train ride is all it takes to get to JR Kyoto Station.
Getting to Hama Otsu Station on the Keihan line is only a 5 minute walk. From there it is only a 20 minute train ride to the Okazaki area a major tourist destination of Kyoto.
If you get off at Keage Station you can visit the famous Nanzenji temple, or if you get out at Higashiyama Station you can visit the Heian Shrine. You can even get to the business quarter of Kyoto in 30 minutes by getting out at Sanjo Station.
Although a 30 minute ride sounds like a lot, there are many sights to see as this train goes over Mt. Ousakayama in a steep incline or near Hama Otsu the train actually runs alongside cars like a trolley.
We highly recommend Biwako Hotel to relax and do some sightseeing at Lake Biwa and Kyoto.
History
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