Biwako Hanakaido

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ve stayed at my fair share of ryokans around Lake Biwa, but Biwako Hanakaido honestly surprised me – and not just because I almost missed the turnoff from Route 161 the first time (GPS gets a bit wonky in Ogoto, fair warning). The moment you walk into the lobby, there’s this immediate sense that someone actually thought about how guests move through the space. The staff doesn’t hover, but they’re right there when you need them, and check-in was refreshingly quick even during cherry blossom season when half of Kansai seems to descend on the lake.

What really sets this place apart is how they’ve managed to feel authentically Japanese without being stuffy about it. The onsen here – well, let’s just say the outdoor bath facing the lake at sunset is worth the trip alone. I mean, you’re soaking in these mineral-rich waters from Ogoto’s hot springs (the same ones that have been drawing visitors since the Heian period, if you’re into that sort of history), and there’s Lake Biwa stretching out in front of you like some kind of inland sea. The water temperature is perfect year-round, though I’d recommend hitting it early morning or just before dinner to avoid the small crowds. The indoor baths are equally impressive – there’s this one with views of the surrounding mountains that’s particularly nice when it’s raining.

The rooms themselves strike that sweet spot between traditional and practical. You’ll find proper tatami and futon setups if you want the full experience, but they’ve also got Western-style rooms that don’t feel like an afterthought. Either way, the views are solid – lake-facing rooms are obviously premium, but honestly, even the mountain-view rooms have their charm, especially in autumn when the maples go crazy with color. Food-wise, they do this kaiseki dinner that actually changes with the seasons (I know, everyone says that, but they really do), featuring local Shiga ingredients like Omi beef and lake fish that taste nothing like what you’d expect from freshwater. Breakfast is the real winner though – proper Japanese spread with local vegetables and the kind of rice that makes you understand why people get obsessive about it. The restaurant staff knows their stuff too, happy to explain dishes without making you feel like a tourist. Parking is free and ample, which isn’t always a given around here, and you’re about a ten-minute walk from Ogoto Onsen Station if you’re coming by train. That 9.2 rating? Yeah, I get it.