2-Day Kyoto & Lake Biwa Itinerary: Relaxing Trip to Ogoto Hot Spring
This recommended 2-night, 3-day itinerary lets you enjoy classic Kyoto sightseeing while relaxing at a hot spring inn along Lake Biwa. Ogoto Onsen, located just 20 minutes from Kyoto Station, offers easy access and a chance to experience a traditional Japanese stay. Guests can soak in lakeside hot springs and enjoy authentic kaiseki cuisine during their visit.
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Ogoto Onsen is said to have been opened about 1,200 years ago by Dengyo Daishi Saicho to reward the work of the craftsmen who built Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, a World Heritage Site. Among them, Yumotokan is a long-established inn with a history of 96 years. The secret to its popularity is its four different hot springs, including an open-air bath overlooking Lake Biwa from the 11th floor and an open-air bath that gives the illusion of being a hot spring in the forest, as well as its Kyoto-style kaiseki meals made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients, including "certified Omi beef," one of Japan's three great wagyu beef brands. Although it is only 20 minutes by train from Kyoto, this inn allows you to feel the warmth of nature and Japan, such as Lake Biwa and the Hira mountain range.
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Table of Contents
- Unwind at Ogoto Onsen by Lake Biwa After Exploring Kyoto
- Day 1 | Check in at a Traditional Hotel/ Ryokan After Sightseeing in Kyoto
- Yumotokan: Ryokan with Breathtaking Lake Biwa Views from Its Hot Spring
- Day 2: Relaxing Sightseeing in Shiga Along Lake Biwa
- Day 3: Visit Enryaku-ji Temple and Enjoy the Nature of Mt. Hiei
Unwind at Ogoto Onsen by Lake Biwa After Exploring Kyoto
After enjoying Kyoto's popular tourist spots, why not take a trip to Ogoto Onsen along Lake Biwa? Ogoto Onsen is easily accessible, about 20 minutes by JR train from Kyoto Station, and you can soothe your travel fatigue in this quiet hot spring town on the lakeside. At the inn, you can enjoy hot springs and kaiseki cuisine, and the charm of this place is that you can enjoy a uniquely Japanese experience and relaxation all at once.
In this article, we will introduce a itinerary for a 2- Tomari, 3-day trip that will allow you to enjoy Kyoto and Shiga to the fullest.
Day 1 | Check in at a Traditional Hotel/ Ryokan After Sightseeing in Kyoto
1. Enjoy classic sightseeing around Kyoto's popular spots
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple are must-sees when visiting Kyoto .
At Fushimi Inari Taisha, strolling through the grounds, passing through the thousand torii gates, will leave you with a mystical atmosphere and plenty of photo spots. If you visit first thing in the morning, it will be relatively quiet, allowing you to relax and enjoy praying and taking photos.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Fushimi ward, Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho 68
Afterwards, walk to the area around Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We recommend taking in the view of Kyoto City from the stage of Shimizu , or taking a break at the souvenir shops and cafes along the approach to the temple. You can fully enjoy your morning sightseeing while experiencing Kyoto's unique history and cityscape with all your senses.
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Higashiyama ward, Kiyomizu 1-294
In the afternoon, walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Gion's Hanamikoji Street. We recommend enjoying Japanese sweets and matcha desserts while strolling through the cobblestone streets and traditional buildings. From there, you'll arrive at Yasaka Shrine in just a five-minute walk. Spend a relaxing afternoon praying at this Kyoto-style shrine and enjoying the seasonal scenery and photo spots.
Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Higashiyama ward, Gionmachi North 625
2. After enjoying sightseeing in Kyoto, head to Ogoto Onsen
Take the JR train from Kyoto Station for about 20 minutes to Ogoto Onsen Station.
Located in a quiet location overlooking Lake Biwa, Ogoto Onsen allows you to relax while taking in the natural scenery. We recommend strolling along the lakeside or renting a bicycle to explore the surrounding area, making it the perfect place for those who want to relax and avoid the crowds of Kyoto. There are plenty of sightseeing options in the area, including lakeside walks and cruises around Lake Biwa, as well as a visit to the World Heritage Site of Mount Hiei ji Temple to enjoy its history and spectacular views.
Yumotokan: Ryokan with Breathtaking Lake Biwa Views from Its Hot Spring
Yumotokan , located along the shore of Lake Biwa , is a long-established inn about a five-minute drive from Ogoto Onsen Station.
・Great location overlooking Lake Biwa
・Kaiseki cuisine made with plenty of local ingredients, including Omi beef, one of Japan's three major wagyu beef varieties
・Four types of hot springs, including a luxurious bath where you can soak while looking out at Lake Biwa
・Various types of rooms with different characteristics, from suites with open-air baths to modern Japanese-Western rooms and Japanese-style rooms
From the scenery and cuisine to the hot springs, this inn offers everything you need for a luxurious and relaxing stay, helping you to soothe the fatigue of your travels.
What to do after check-in | Stroll around the hotel, visit the hot springs, and enjoy a Kyoto-style kaiseki dinner
Once you've completed the check-in process, all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself.
Once you've chosen your preferred yukata to wear during your stay, start by exploring the hotel. In addition to the hot springs, the hotel also has many other places to enjoy, including a cafe terrace, a souvenir shop, and a game center.
In Japanese hot spring inns, guests can often enjoy not only the hot spring baths but also other in-house entertainment, with table tennis being a prime example of this activity.
After a relaxing day, it's time for dinner. Enjoy seasonal kaiseki cuisine made with local ingredients. Enjoy the local culture and hospitality through not only the flavor but also the presentation and tableware.
Day 2: Relaxing Sightseeing in Shiga Along Lake Biwa
Breakfast is served in buffet style, featuring a mix of Japanese and Western dishes made with local ingredients.
On the second day, we recommend starting your day with a buffet breakfast and a morning bath. A morning bath has a refreshing atmosphere that is different from an evening bath, warming your body after waking up and giving you a refreshing start to the day. On a particularly fine day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Biwa.
From cruises to bicycle rentals! Various ways to enjoy Lake Biwa
After recharging your energy with breakfast and a morning bath, head out for a stroll around Lake Biwa.
While it's nice to take a leisurely stroll around Lake Biwa, there are many other ways to enjoy it, such as on a cruise or by renting a bicycle.
A 60-minute Lake Biwa cruise departing from Ogoto Onsen Port
On board, a local guide will introduce you to the charms of Lake Biwa. You can enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa from the lake, making this a cruise that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
After a day of enjoying the natural beauty of Lake Biwa, return to Yumotokan and enjoy the hot springs, dinner, and on-site activities.
Day 3: Visit Enryaku-ji Temple and Enjoy the Nature of Mt. Hiei
On the last day, after checking out, we head to Mount Hiei.
If you take the cable car up the mountain, you will come across a spectacular view of Lake Biwa and Kyoto City.
At the top of the mountain, visit Enryaku-ji Temple, a registered World Heritage Site, and enjoy its architecture and gardens, boasting over a thousand years of history. Walk along the approach to the temple, overflowing with nature, and enjoy a stroll surrounded by the changing seasons. Historical buildings such as the Konponchudo Hall and bell tower are worth seeing, and you can experience traditional Japanese architecture and beautiful scenery up close.
Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
Shiga Prefecture, Otsu City, Sakamoto Honcho 4220
You can fully enjoy sightseeing at Mount Hiei in about two hours. Once you've finished seeing Mount Hiei, you can leisurely head back towards Kyoto.
After sightseeing at Mount Hiei, we recommend taking a break at a cafe or observation spot on your way back to Kyoto to end your trip at a relaxed pace.
Ogoto Onsen is said to have been opened about 1,200 years ago by Dengyo Daishi Saicho to reward the work of the craftsmen who built Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, a World Heritage Site. Among them, Yumotokan is a long-established inn with a history of 96 years. The secret to its popularity is its four different hot springs, including an open-air bath overlooking Lake Biwa from the 11th floor and an open-air bath that gives the illusion of being a hot spring in the forest, as well as its Kyoto-style kaiseki meals made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients, including "certified Omi beef," one of Japan's three great wagyu beef brands. Although it is only 20 minutes by train from Kyoto, this inn allows you to feel the warmth of nature and Japan, such as Lake Biwa and the Hira mountain range.
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