Ogotoso Lakeshore Inn

A small, old-fashioned ryokan on the shore of Lake Biwa, with rooms looking out over the water. Bathing here is entirely private: guests book a soaking slot rather than sharing a communal bath, choosing between an outdoor tub made of Shigaraki ware and an indoor bath with a tatami-floored washing area. Guests describe the water as silky on the skin. The wooden building shows its age but is kept clean, and meals are served in private dining rooms, which together with the private baths gives the stay a quiet, unhurried feel away from the area's larger hotels.