Looking for a luxurious and authentic Japanese experience? Want to find a Japanese ryokan with a private onsen? Look no further than Biwako Ryokusuitei, a stunning ryokan that is close to Kyoto. It was the best ryokan we’ve been to in Kyoto and overall, Japan. This ryokan with private onsens has breathtaking views of Lake Biwa, delicious cuisine, and impeccable service. From soaking in your own private outdoor hot spring bath to enjoying a traditional Japanese dinner featuring top-quality wagyu beef, every moment is designed to help you relax. In this review, I’ll take you through our Japanese ryokan experience. So grab your yukata and get ready to indulge in the ultimate Japanese getaway.
What is a Japanese Ryokan?
A Japanese ryokan is a traditional inn that offers guests a unique and authentic experience of Japanese culture and hospitality. Ryokans typically feature tatami-matted rooms with futon bedding, sliding shoji doors, and communal hot spring baths known as onsen. Guests are greeted with warm hospitality and treated to exquisite Japanese cuisine, often featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Some ryokans also offer cultural activities such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, or flower arrangement. Staying at a ryokan is a wonderful way to immerse oneself in Japanese tradition and unwind in a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway or a solo retreat, a Japanese ryokan is a must-try experience for anyone visiting Japan.
A Japanese Ryokan close to Kyoto
Getting to Biwako Ryokusuitei is a breeze. We took a quick 20-minute train ride from Kyoto Station to Ogotoonsen Station. This cost 330 yen or $2.36 based on the current USD to the Japanese Yen exchange rate. From there, guests can enjoy an easy 18-minute walk or use the complimentary shuttle provided by the ryokan for a 5-minute ride. It’s best to call ahead to let them know you want the shuttle. We chose to walk to maximize our time enjoying the natural scenery. The shuttle also offers a return trip to Ogotoonsen Station on the morning of check-out, with the last one leaving the hotel at 10:20 am.
Checking in at the Ryokan
We enjoyed a smooth and easy check-in process. The friendly staff asked to see our passports and took care of our luggage. Someone walked us through the hotel’s different amenities, including happy hour and dining options. At the end of check-in, a friendly staff member took us to our rooms and walked us through the different parts of it.
The Luxurious Ryokan Room
Our stay at Biwako Ryokusuitei’s Koyu Premier Suite in Room 406, which was recently renovated, can accommodate up to four people. Upon entering the room, we were greeted with a spacious living room furnished with a large velvet couch, a large TV with Netflix and Youtube access, a smaller desk, and a larger desk. Everything was impeccably clean. We were in awe at how beautiful and spacious the premier suite was.
The mini-fridge included a number of complementary drinks including 2 Fiji water bottles, 2 sparking ciders, 1 large malt beer, peach juice, apple juice, and a few other selections. Ground coffee and green tea were also available at this counter, along with some snacks. We enjoyed trying the many new drinks and flavors from the selection provided.
The bedroom features two comfortable western-style beds with blankets and mattresses. Adjacent to the bedroom was a walk-in closet with yukatas. There was also a lavish bathroom with all the essential amenities (combs, toothbrushes, razor cleanser, toner, serums, etc). We also noticed futon bedding options available in the closet near our room’s entrance. Of note, the twin-sized beds felt a bit small for two adults but comfortable for one.
The highlight of the room was the spacious balcony. It offers a private onsen filled with hot spring water and stunning views of Lake Biwa. The balcony also includes a large couch, a seat, and a table, creating a serene atmosphere to relax. We enjoyed soaking in the hot spring water while looking out onto Lake Biwa on this luxurious outdoor terrace.
Ryokan with Private Bath/Onsen
The gem of this Japanese ryokan experience was the private onsen. We were able to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Biwa while comfortably soaking in the hot spring water. It comfortably accommodated two people. The temperature control system was very easy to use, allowing us to adjust the temperature to our preference. We also appreciated the privacy of the bath, which allowed us to fully relax and enjoy the serene environment. Overall, the private bath was one of the highlights of our stay at the ryokan. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and luxurious experience. Not all rooms at Biwako Ryokusuitei and I truly believe that having a ryokan with private bath truly elevates the experience.
Public Onsen
For women, there were multiple options for public bathing, including an indoor public bath, an outdoor public bath, and two porcelain bathtubs. There are also towels provided there.
There is also a co-ed hand and foot onsen before you enter the public baths.
Ryokan Communal Space
During happy hour (which ends at 7:30 pm), we were able to relax in the lounge area with comfortable seating and a cozy atmosphere. The sweet and savory snacks provided were delicious and included a variety of Japanese treats. We particularly enjoyed the wine, which paired well with the snacks.
The unlimited popsicles and ice cream in our hallway were a nice touch, and we couldn’t resist trying the unique flavors, including the rice ice cream, which was surprisingly tasty. We also appreciated the one pudding per customer, which was a sweet and creamy treat. Also in the hallway, we discovered that there were aromatherapy diffusers available for guests to use in their rooms, adding to the relaxation and peaceful atmosphere.
Additionally, the library offered a serene space to unwind while admiring the stunning views of the Japanese garden and Lake Biwa. In the evening, there were refreshments in the library area.
There was also a nice outdoor seating area to enjoy views as well.
The thoughtful amenities and attention to detail made our stay at Biwako Ryokusuitei truly unforgettable.
Japanese Ryokan Dinner
The dining experience at Biwako Ryokusuitei was also a highlight of our stay. We were given multiple options for dinner times and chose the latest one at 7:30 PM. There are multiple dining areas and the one we were assigned to was the private room restaurant “Shi-ki.” Upon arriving at our designated dining area, we were shown a small private dining room. The multi-course meal included sashimi, lobster miso soup, various steamed and pickled vegetables, and strawberry daifuku.
However, the highlight of the dinner was the omi beef shabu, considered one of Japan’s top three wagyu beef. The omi beef raised freely on a farm in Shiga Prefecture, has a soft texture and a rich taste that melted in our mouths. We enjoyed the shabu with ponzu sauce and opted for an additional omi beef steak for an extra 4,400 yen. The steak was served with mini lava rock to grill it to our liking. This was my first time trying omi beef. The fine, fatty meat had a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The entire meal took us two hours to finish, and we were absolutely stuffed by the end of it! The dining experience is a must-try for food enthusiasts visiting Biwako Ryokusuitei.
Breakfast at the Ryokan
For breakfast, we opted for the glamping set. In the morning, the staff dropped off a basket that included fruit, pizza, cheese fondue, vegetables, miso soup, s’mores making kit, sparkling wine, and juice. While it was fun to enjoy breakfast in the comfort of our own room, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. I think that I would have opted for the Japanese buffet in the public dining halls.
Conclusion
Upon checkout, we found ourselves already missing the luxurious and relaxing atmosphere of our Japanese ryokan. We were thoroughly impressed with the foreigner-friendly environment, the ease of communication in English, the beautiful interior of the ryokan, the facilities, and the room. At around $350 per person for one night at the premier suite, we felt that this stay was worth every penny. We will truly be missing the ryokan’s private onsen/bath. This ryokan offers an immersive experience in a beautiful location. Our rating breakdown is as follows:
Accessibility: 4.5/5 – easily accessible by public transportation, taking less than 30 minutes from Kyoto station with a combination of subway and shuttle.
Food: 4/5 – the dinner was delicious, and the breakfast was enjoyable, albeit not as impressive as the dinner.
Room: 5/5 – the Koyu premier suite was luxurious and spacious, providing all the amenities we could need.
Service: 5/5 – the staff was friendly, attentive, and accommodating throughout our stay.
Facilities: 4.5/5 – the public onsen, library, lobby, and dining area were all beautifully designed, clean, and luxurious. Having been in other ryokans, we felt that this one had updated facilities including the room we stayed in.
Overall, we highly recommend this onsen hotel for anyone looking for a relaxing and indulgent escape in Kyoto. We are already looking forward to returning in the future.
Additional Tips
- Upon check-out, we left our bags with the staff in the lobby and we walked around some parts of Lake Biwa to enjoy the beautiful views and weather. Highly recommend this!
- Save yourself from hauling heavy baggage around. We didn’t bring much luggage with us to the ryokan – only small backpacks for what we needed overnight. The remaining luggage was stored in coin lockers at Kyoto Station. Lockers range in size. This biggest locker (that comfortably fit my 25-inch medium suitcase) costs 700 yen a day.
- Buying subway tickets from the kiosk machine at the station can be a bit challenging. I remember standing in line and someone in front took twenty minutes to try and figure it out. Save yourself time and get a physical Suica card or a digital one for your Apple wallet. Simply tap your card or phone at the subway gates.
