Luxury Getaway from Kyoto: Hanare Karoi with Private Open-Air Baths and Lake Biwa Views
Looking for some quiet time away from the bustling tourist areas? For such an adult trip, why not Hanare Karoi in Shiga Prefecture, Ogoto Hot Spring ? In this article, we'll introduce you to the fun you can only experience here, including check-in, guest rooms, meals, and special experiences.
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Table of Contents
- A Refined Luxury Stay at a Tranquil Hot Spring Ryokan
- Hanare Karoi's Private Lounge
- High-Quality and Relaxing Guest Rooms
- A Private Dining Experience to Savor the Seasonal Flavors of Shiga
- Access Information and Shuttle Service
A Refined Luxury Stay at a Tranquil Hot Spring Ryokan

Hanare Karoi is an annex for adult travelers located in the same building as Ogoto Hot Spring Onsen Yumotokan.
You can spend some quiet time here, a little distance away from the bustling main building.
The guest rooms are located on dedicated floors, with 21 rooms on the "Standard Floors" from floors 5 to 7 and the "Luxury Floors" from floors 8 to 10. You can relax and enjoy your stay without having to worry about other people or noise.
The building and interiors use a lot of wood and are unified in soft, Japanese colors, and we place importance on creating a space that is both visually soothing and calming.
While retaining the atmosphere of a traditional inn, the facilities and services have been adapted to suit the modern traveller. At Hanare Karoi, you will experience the comfort and tranquility of a Japanese hot spring inn.
Hanare Karoi's Private Lounge

The lounge where guests are first welcomed is one of the distinctive features of Hanare Karoi.
Upon arrival, guests will walk down the corridor that leads from the main building to the Hanare Karoi. The softly lit passageway will give you a glimpse of the special stay that is about to begin.

The lounge is exclusively for guests staying at Hanare Karoi. It is not crowded and you can check in in a calm space while enjoying tea and sweets.
In winter, a fire is lit in the fireplace, gently relieving the fatigue of a long journey.

All drinks and snacks in the lounge are free to enjoy.
In the evening, we offer a little treat, such as wine and hot soup.

Each location has a different atmosphere, such as window seats, seats slightly tucked away, or large table seats, so one of the joys of your stay is finding your favorite spot to relax.

We have yukata robes available in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can casually experience Japanese culture while wearing your yukata.

The Japanese-patterned pouch, which is easy to match with a yukata, is a gift from the inn to guests.

There is a foot bath in the lobby exclusively for guests. No prior reservation is required.
While listening to the sound of the water flowing, you can read a book, enjoy a glass of wine, or simply savor the time spent doing nothing.
High-Quality and Relaxing Guest Rooms

The guest rooms at Hanare Karoi are the center of your stay. Like the entire hotel, they are designed with quietness in mind, with even the refrigerators kept quiet and the lighting adjusted to a comfortable level.
We do not accept group guests or children under elementary school age, and strive to maintain a calm and relaxing atmosphere for adults.

From the window you can see the view of Lake Biwa, which changes its appearance with the passing of time.

All rooms have their own private open-air baths, which are available 24 hours a day.
The water temperature is about 41 degrees. You can enjoy the hot spring as many times as you like, whenever you like, without worrying about being seen by others. From the open-air bath, you can see Lake Biwa, and in the early morning you can also enjoy the view of the sunrise.

The interior is a mix of Japanese and Western styles, combining the warmth of tatami mats and wood with the comfort of beds and sofas.
It also has a dedicated toilet and shower room, and is barrier-free with minimal steps.

Local sweets and natural drinks are provided in the rooms, and we hope that the time you spend in your room will become a memorable part of your trip.
A Private Dining Experience to Savor the Seasonal Flavors of Shiga

Guests staying at Hanare Karoi can dine at the Japanese restaurant Shogetsu.
Unlike the main building, the dining area at Hanare Karoi is exclusively for guests, and all rooms are private. Guests can enjoy their meal at their own pace without worrying about others.

The cuisine is served in a course format, allowing you to savor each dish at your leisure. While respecting the techniques of traditional Japanese cuisine, the restaurant adds a playful touch to the combinations of ingredients and cooking methods, allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures.
We use many seasonal ingredients from Shiga Prefecture and the Kansai region.

For the appetizers, we use tofu from a long-established local tofu shop, and we also make efforts to allow our customers to experience the local food culture.

This course offers a balanced combination of seafood and mountain produce, including fried sea bream with a crispy batter and a tasting comparison of A5-rank Omi beef fillet and loin.
*Ingredients and menus may change depending on the season and the availability of ingredients on the day.

The presentation of the food is based on a delicate Japanese aesthetic and a sense of the seasons. The inn's staff shared their opinions on the tableware that adds color to the food, and they paid close attention to the texture, size, and other details.
At the end of dinner, you will have time to choose the fish you will have for breakfast the next morning.
Choose two types of fish from a selection of fish such as blackthroat seaperch, salmon, horse mackerel, hairtail, or conger eel, and end the day imagining the fun you'll have the next day.

Breakfast can also be served in a private room.

This healthy Japanese menu uses plenty of fresh vegetables from the region. The rice is cooked in a clay pot and served fresh, at its most delicious.
Access Information and Shuttle Service

Ogoto Hot Spring is about 20 minutes from Kyoto Station on the JR Kosai, making it a convenient location for sightseeing in Kyoto.
A shuttle service is available from the station to the inn, so it's convenient for first-time visitors to Japan or those with large amounts of luggage.

For more information on access, please see this article.
You will be satisfied with this hotel as a base for sightseeing in Kyoto or for a relaxing stay.
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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