Hotels in Otsu

After booking our flights to Japan this time, we realized it happened to be during the Silver Week long weekend. Because accommodation prices were a bit high during the holiday, we only stayed here for 3 nights. Every room here offers a lake view, and taking a walk along the riverbank in the early morning or evening is very relaxing. The room space is quite spacious and doesn't feel cramped. There are three breakfast options, but actually, the dishes at Top of Otsu and Biona are almost identical. What was a bit disappointing is that the bread selection is small and quite average, remaining the same every day. There are quite a few local Japanese tour groups here (mostly seniors). Since tour groups tend to check out earlier, people start waiting at the door around 6:20 AM for breakfast which starts at 6:30 🤣. There is a free shuttle bus running between JR Otsu Station and the hotel, but it can get quite crowded during certain times.

This was my first time visiting Ogoto Onsen, and I booked Yumotokan. Upon arrival, there was a mobile phone set up at the JR station specifically for contacting nearby hot spring inns, which could be used to request a shuttle pickup. It was a very thoughtful touch. The inn's room was spacious and fully equipped. The men's and women's baths swap locations daily. Our stay included two meals per day (dinner and breakfast), the food was delicious, and the breakfast was a buffet.

The hotel is just next to the Seta JR station (less than a minute walk), and there's convenience stores nearby. The breakfast buffet is delicious. Room amenities is sufficient for our stay. They also have luggage storage service which allows us to travel a bit around Biwako region after checkout.

Located in a very nice neighborhood, close to train station from kyoto. the room is very clean and nice and fully equipped. it’s nicely 2 bedrooms. stairs to go up to the second bedroom, with a small toilet