Kamenoi Hotel Hikone

Inspired by the spring cherry blossoms, we planned our route to combine sightseeing with a “pilgrimage” to locations related to the Taiga drama “Hideyoshi Brothers,” including its exhibition hall. We stayed one night in Nara City after visiting Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji.The next day, we headed from Nara and the ruins of Yamato-Koriyama Castle to Shiga via the drama exhibition hall. After sightseeing at Hyakusaiji Temple, Tennei-ji Temple, and Hikone Castle’s Castle Road, we arrived at Kamenoi Hotel Hikone. We had requested dinner for 19:15 in advance. Since we arrived around 17:00, we were able to unpack first and then relax in the Onsen before dinner.There was a dinner menu at our table, and starting with the main Omi beef sukiyaki, many Shiga-produced ingredients and seasonings were used throughout. We truly felt the Hotel’s sincere commitment to “local production for local consumption.” The meal was essentially kaiseki-style cuisine, and my wife praised it as “very delicious.” I completely agreed.There was also a menu at breakfast, and the Hotel’s commitment to local sourcing never wavered—both of us were extremely satisfied with the flavors. My wife turned in early, so I enjoyed the late-night ramen on my own; the black tantan noodles were also excellent.This was our first stay at a Kamenoi Hotel—after previously making a Reservation in Beppu but being unable to stay due to illness—and it turned out to be a wonderful experience where we could feel just a touch of Kumahachi Aburaya’s spirit.The following day brought strong winds and boats from nearby Hikone Port to Chikubu Island were canceled; however, we still managed an enriching trip that covered everything from Nagahama Kita-Omi Taiga Drama Exhibition Hall to Daitsuu-ji Temple, Nagahama Castle Historical Museum, and Gi-to-Kizuna-kan (Righteousness & Bonds Museum). As a base on Lake Biwa’s eastern shore area (Koto), Kamenoi Hotel is wholeheartedly recommended.

We stayed in two Rooms for a family trip to visit Hikone Castle. Both were beautifully renovated and spotless, but the Room with the view bath was especially clean, spacious, bright, and truly relaxing. The four of us enjoyed spending time together, chatting and eating sweets we bought at Club Harie.Not only were the Room itself and the view of Lake Biwa from the Room wonderful, but breakfast and dinner were also delicious. After a leisurely meal, we tried the late-night “yonaki soba,” which was a monthly tantanmen special—and it was excellent. We all enjoyed it together after soaking in the Onsen.All Hotel staff were kind; when we were sitting in the lobby, they spoke to us and even took a family photo for us. The photo of our family of four with Hikonyan in the background became a great memory of our trip. The next morning, we were taken to the station by the Hotel shuttle bus, making our stay completely satisfying. This is an Accommodation I would recommend to many people.