Hotels near Karasaki Shrine, Otsu

I would have said that we had a wonderful stay: loved the peaceful environment, the food, the morning service…. But then they started the morning with a team of workers going through the temple grounds with deafening leaf blowing machines! Why do they disturb the peace like this? The temple claims to be environmentally conscious, but these machines are noisy, irritating, wasteful and bad for the environment. It made me leave the place in a bed mood.

I like it very much. It is not worse than Yuyuanguan, and the price is good. The chef's cooking skills are very high. The decoration is a bit old-fashioned, and it feels like a Japanese drama. The hot spring robe is better than Yuyuanguan. The dinner is invincible and delicious! Wagyu! Mushroom rice! Sukiyaki! I ate so much! But the breakfast is not very delicious. The pickled cucumber tastes the same as in China. I thought I couldn't eat it far away from Shanghai. In the end, it tasted like the pickled cucumber and pickled radish at home. But it's very photogenic! There are all kinds of colors, but the taste is killed by the xiaolongbao, wontons and pancakes in my hometown Shanghai. The hot spring in Yuyuanguan is very comfortable! There is just an old lady who keeps coming in to clean the hot spring in the morning! I was scared and didn't care about the front and the back. It was so embarrassing!

It was great that there were two large public baths for men and two for women, and they were open 24 hours. Thanks to this, the baths weren't crowded at all, even for such a large ryokan. Dinner was served in a grand banquet hall at a designated time, and it was so lavish that the dishes barely fit on the table – everything was delicious! The facilities are quite old, so I did notice noises like the motor and the bathroom fan, but all the staff were very kind, and I had a pleasant stay overall.

Very pleasant stay with generous supply of amenities and convenient location for you to explore Shiga. Just 10 minutes train from Kyoto and 40 minutes from Osaka, which also make this accommodation highly recommendable!

The room was compact and clean, typical of a standard Japanese hotel in terms of layout and hygiene, though a bit dated. The peeling wallpaper didn't affect our stay. It was my first time using a key for both opening the door and activating the electricity. Toiletries, a fridge, a coin-operated washer/dryer, and breakfast were all provided, which was very convenient for my cycling trip. The hotel staff could communicate in simple English, and even if they didn't understand, they used a translator; their attitude was friendly and welcoming. The location is definitely its biggest advantage, being very close to JR Seta Station and bus stops. It only takes 5 minutes from the room to the platform, so bringing my bicycle wasn't an issue. There are convenience stores, ramen shops, yakiniku restaurants, and even a Torikizoku that stays open late nearby. If I come back to Kansai for another cycling trip, I'd definitely consider staying here again.

Lake Biwa is right outside the hotel, which is very convenient. There are not many restaurants nearby. The beach by the lake is beautiful. The staff are very friendly. The room facilities are a bit old, but they are well maintained.

Booked this stay to explore the areas around Lake Biwa. Reception was warm and friendly with an English-speaking host who provided us with the information for the stay. We booked the western style room as we preferred an attached bathroom, however the room condition was outdated and needs refurbishment, like peeling surfaces. The Japanese style room looked better when we caught a glimpse during check-out time. Nevertheless, location and amenities were great. Location is near major eateries and commercial centres by a short drive.

The bath was spacious, and it was great to be able to bathe in the open air! I was lucky to be the only one there, so I had plenty of space to use. The surrounding restaurants closed early, so I considered skipping dinner, but I ended up using the restaurant inside! The hamburger and fries made by the chef were incredibly delicious ^ ^ The washroom was also very clean! However, the road to the station is very dark at night with no streetlights, so it can be scary. I recommend coming early! It felt great in the mornings and evenings.

If you are going to visit Lake Biwa or Hikone Castle, staying at Reiah Hotel Otsu Ishiyama is very convenient for transportation and the price is much more affordable than hotels in Kyoto. The hotel breakfast is good and freshly ground coffee is available all day.

Ok. First of all leave your expectations at home expecting hotel level service. Once you've done that if you want a cheap but clean place to stay this is it. This is a seinenkan - a facility for youth and youth-related organizations to conduct independent study and recreational activities, many of which have basic accommodation facilities but higher grade facilities than youth hostels. They are located all over Japan. I stayed in a tatami mat room on a floor with shared toilet facilities. The ground floor has a large communal bath - obviously separate for male and females. They have lights out at 11 p.m. and guests must return by the same time. There is a very modern cafe onsite serving cheap breakfasts (see photos) but the cafe closes by 6 p.m. There is a convenience store 10 minutes walk away so I suggest you buy snacks and beverages en route from JR Ishiyama station. For dinner, there is a family restaurant - good value and okay food - about 6 minutes walk away. The seinenkan is located on a small island by a historic bridge. The views of the river inlet flowing into the main Lake Biwa is relaxing, lots of bird wildlife, and lots of rowers (the seinenkan is a water sports facility too). and the sunrise and sunset views are lovely. The staff are very kind. It cost me ¥5,500 for one night and I will stay there again if I have the opportunity.