Staying at Yumotokan: 2-Day Review of Lake Biwa’s Best Hot Spring Ryokan (Ogoto Onsen)

• Table of Contents
• Location: The Perfect Hidden Base for Your Kyoto & Osaka Trip
• Service: Experience the Essence of Japanese "Omotenashi"Hospitality
• Guest Rooms: Savor the Luxury of Quiet Moments 
• Wellness: Rejuvenate Your Senses through Ayurveda & Natural Hot Springs 
• Hot Springs: A Meditative Escape to Restore Your Mind & Body 
• Dining: A Visual Feast of Exquisite Flavors & Culinary Surprises 
• Facilities: Discovering Small Joys & Warm Hospitality 
• Yumotokan: A Place That Feels Like Home, Where You'll Always Long to Return 

Location: The Perfect Hidden Base for Your Kyoto & Osaka Trip

Ogoto Onsen is located about 20 minutes by train from Kyoto Station and about an hour from Osaka Station. Despite its easy access from big cities, it is a hidden hot spring resort where you can enjoy a quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots. It is also about 20 minutes by car from Mount Hiei, known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves. A ski resort also opens in winter.

Its greatest appeal is its location overlooking Lake Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. From the large public bath and open-air bath at Yumotokan, you can enjoy the lakeside scenery, which changes appearance between morning and evening.

A shuttle bus runs from the inn to the nearest station, Ogoto Onsen Station.

It's about a 20-minute drive, passing through Ogoto Onsen Station, Mount Hiei Sakamoto Station, Sakamoto Mount Hiei Station, and Sakamoto Station on the Sakamoto Cable Car.

Even if the bus is not running, you can call the station and they will come to pick you up between 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM. There are also English guide signs, so you can feel at ease even if it's your first time visiting.

The shuttle bus stop is located at the rotary at the east exit of Ogoto Onsen Station (orange sign No. 4).

Service: Experience the Essence of Japanese "Omotenashi"Hospitality

In Japan, there is an expression called "omotenashi" which expresses consideration for visitors.

The spirit of putting yourself in the other person's shoes and acting without expecting anything in return was apparent long before check-in.

The shuttle bus driver who picked me up at the station called me by name and greeted me with a smile.

I remember that at that moment, my nerves, which had been building a bit since I first visited the place, suddenly relaxed.

Polite and respectful, but not too formal.

The hospitality I felt at Yumotokan was one that valued sincerity over formality.

Guest Rooms: Savor the Luxury of Quiet Moments 

Yumotokan offers a variety of guest rooms, from Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats to Japanese-Western style rooms with beds and suites with open-air baths.

This time, we stayed at Hanare Karoi Karoi, which has a reputation for offering a relaxing stay for adults.

A modern Japanese space with a bed, table and chairs combined with an interior that reflects Japanese aesthetics.

The facility is barrier-free, so people of all ages can enjoy it comfortably.

Find out more about Hanare Karoi

When you open the window, Lake Biwa is right next to you.

The tranquility that permeates the entire room will help you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

I was surprised to hear that even the refrigerators in the guest rooms are designed to be quieter, due to the hotel's quietness.

The open-air bath attached to the guest room is available 24 hours a day.

What made the biggest impression on me was taking a bath early in the morning.

The moment when the sun slowly rises and the lake changes color is a luxury that is hard to put into words. The day we stayed was cloudy, but even that was fantastic, and we were moved by the beauty of nature.

Private open-air bath "Ishi no Oto"

If you want a larger bath all to yourself, the hotel also has a private bath available.

The two baths, "Sound of Stones" and "Scent of Wood," each have their own unique atmosphere. Of course, there is also an open-air bath. It is also recommended for parents and children who want to bathe together without any hesitation.

Wellness: Rejuvenate Your Senses through Ayurveda & Natural Hot Springs 

If you visit Yumotokan, we highly recommend you try the spa and beauty treatment "Yuu."

Here you can receive Ayurveda, a traditional medical treatment that originated in India and Sri Lanka.

Ayurveda has a history of approximately 5,000 years and is a form of care that uses natural oils tailored to your constitution and physical condition to align your body.

The head massage included in all courses was particularly impressive, and I felt as if the tension that had been building up without me even realizing it was slowly being released.

Pair massages are also available, allowing couples, families, and friends to share the same time together.

The beautician not only provided precise treatment, but also relaxed my mind with gentle communication using gestures and a little English.

Ayurvedic oil made from natural herbs

After the treatment, you can feel your body feel even lighter when you enter the hot spring. The synergistic effect of Ayurveda and the hot spring is said to promote detoxification.

"Treatment → Hot Spring → Meal → Relaxation" is the ideal flow, and there are still not many hot spring inns in Japan that offer this experience.

There are various courses available, including a 70-minute short body course (including sweating) for 19,800 yen (tax included).

Book a spa treatment

Hot Springs: A Meditative Escape to Restore Your Mind & Body 

Japanese hot springs have long been places of medical treatment. Among the old tales passed down at Ogoto Onsen, there are stories of hot springs that say "drinking the water will cure illnesses, and bathing in it will heal external injuries."

Yumotokan has four large baths, including the open-air bath "Gesshin no Yu" overlooking Lake Biwa, and the bath "Sanbo no Yu" where you can enjoy the mountain scenery.

Among them, the one I particularly liked was the open-air bath "Togenshoyo" surrounded by rocks.

The open-air bath at night has a completely different atmosphere than during the day.

The lighting is subdued and may feel a little dark at first, but your eyes will naturally adjust as you soak in the bath.

Eventually, I noticed the full moon floating among the branches and leaves.

It was the season of autumn leaves, so the red leaves of the trees created a gorgeous glow around the bathtub.

Spend time simply gazing at the scenery, surrounded by the sound of the hot springs and the quiet air. Here, you can stop overthinking and gently rest your mind and body.

Dining: A Visual Feast of Exquisite Flavors & Culinary Surprises 

We had dinner at the traditional Japanese restaurant "Shogetsu." The Japanese course meal, enjoyed in a private room, was both beautiful to look at and delicious, and the time passed peacefully.

Shiga Prefecture's famous Omi beef, rice cooked in a clay pot right in front of you, seasonal vegetables and fish, etc. Each dish is carefully brought to you, and the portions are just right, so even those experiencing Japanese cuisine for the first time can enjoy it with ease.

The dishes, which the young head chef has worked hard to create, are traditional yet surprisingly fresh. The head chef's signature deep-fried tilefish, lotus root, and shrimp potato dishes have an impressive balance of crispy texture and broth.

When I asked about the tofu dish that had impressed me, I was told that it was from a long-established tofu shop near the inn.

You can learn about the local area through your meal, and the staff are available to chat casually, making your mealtime even more enjoyable.

Facilities: Discovering Small Joys & Warm Hospitality 

If you're staying here, be sure to take a walk around the spacious building.

The long-used chairs and handrails have been beautifully polished and are casually decorated with seasonal flowers and small ornaments.

My favorite is the small Jizo statue displayed in the hallway. It is beloved in Japan as a guardian deity for travelers and children. It has been carefully protected for so long that no one knows when or who made it.

A Retro Arcade 

One of my favorite places I discovered while walking around the building was the game center in the basement.

This place, filled with retro game consoles that seem to go back more than 30 years, feels new all the more now.

There is also a table tennis table that you can enjoy in your yukata after soaking in the hot springs. In the past, almost all Japanese hot spring inns had a table tennis table, but now it has become rare.

Must Buy Souvenirs

The souvenir shop in the lobby is also a must-see.

The souvenirs selected by the president based on the idea that "we should stock items that will excite our customers!" are all unique, and many of them are original Yumotokan products.

The edamame dressing enjoyed with dinner is a popular souvenir that allows you to take home a memento of your trip.

Yumotokan: A Place That Feels Like Home, Where You'll Always Long to Return 

When it comes to travel satisfaction, it doesn't really matter how many words in a foreign language the hotel staff knows.

The staff greeted me face to face, treated me kindly at a comfortable distance, and even waved goodbye after I checked out - I felt their sincerity in everything I experienced at Yumotokan.

The hot springs and great location are certainly appealing, but more than that, the hospitality, the relaxing space, and the flow of time all contribute to the desire to return.

Make a reservation at Yumotokan