KKR Hotel Biwako in Otsu

I went there for lunch. It was a fine day, and the location was great. I was able to enjoy a relaxing meal in a calm atmosphere. All the dishes were seasoned to bring out the flavor of the ingredients, and the meat was tender and filling. It was a great menu that made me feel like it was autumn. I would definitely come back.

This was the last night of my trip to Lake Biwa with my high school classmates. If you call the hotel before taking the train or after arriving at Karasaki Station, there's a shuttle bus service (check the website for schedules).

I checked beforehand and it seems to be a KKR-affiliated hotel. Upon arrival, my first impression was, "The selection of shops is amazing!" They have everything from Lake Biwa surroundings to KKR-exclusive items, and surprisingly, even Expo 201 Mickey Mouse merchandise!

Our room was 201. The tatami mats had a vintage feel, and although the door has a physical key, it still has an automatic lock function, so remember to take your key when you go out.

The onsen (hot spring) has two floors, one on the first and one on the second floor. The second floor is quite spacious, while the first floor has a bathtub where you can relax and soak in the hot spring – it's incredibly comfortable.

The room rate included dinner and breakfast. Dinner was a kaiseki meal, utilizing local ingredients and diverse cooking methods; the chef's exquisite skills were evident throughout the meal, from the first bite to the dessert. Breakfast was a buffet, also featuring plenty of local ingredients and was quite delicious.

Interestingly, you can borrow board games from the front desk to play in your room – a service rarely seen in other hotels. The views are also outstanding, offering vistas of Lake Biwa from various locations within the hotel. This was my favorite hotel of the trip, and I'd definitely stay here again sometime.

The hotel is well located, right on the shores of Lake Biwa

The hotel is well located, right on the shores of Lake Biwa

This was my second time using the facility. I felt comfortable there the last time, but it was difficult to get a reservation, so I finally managed to get one this time. Just like last time, the staff were very friendly, and the dinner and breakfast were delicious, so I was very satisfied. However, when I asked the front desk if I wanted to use the facility over the New Year holidays, I was told that it is a resort for national civil servants, so priority is given to their members, so it is difficult to get a reservation. I was a little disappointed to hear that this was the case. However, I would like to use the facility again if I have the opportunity.

very nice dinner