Open-air baths on a hill overlooking Lake Biwa, plus the signature taruburo where you can enjoy the spring just as it is
Shiga Otsu City
"Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso" is a hot spring ryokan perched on a hill in Ogoto Onsen in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. From the large public baths, "Benkey no Hikkizuri Kane" and "Tennyo no Mai," the soaring atrium and glass walls open up sweeping views of Lake Biwa. The hot spring is an alkaline simple spring with a smooth, gentle feel on the skin. In the open-air area, there is a compact sauna for 4 people and a "gensen taruburo" filled with undiluted, unheated water directly from Ogoto Onsen's source, offering a gentle alternating hot-and-cold bathing experience at around body temperature. Many of the guest rooms come with open-air baths.
TypeNatural Hot Spring
Ogoto Onsen is a natural hot spring known for its smooth, slippery feel. Its alkaline simple spring is cherished as a beautifying bath that gently removes old dead skin cells and leaves the skin soft and smooth. From the indoor baths and open-air baths of the large public bath on the hill, you can look out over Lake Biwa and enjoy an exquisite soak while feeling the pleasant breeze that flows through the space.
Sauna TypeDry Sauna
Stove TypeConvection Stove (Sauna Stone)
Capacity4people
A small wooden dry sauna tucked away in the open-air area. Its open location lets you work up a sweat while looking out over the surrounding greenery and the steam rising from the outdoor baths. Inside, the atmosphere is calm and cozy, filled with the warmth of wood, with no TV and a quiet ambience. You can warm your whole body slowly and thoroughly. Right nearby are a standing shower and a taruburo filled with source water used exactly as it is.
Water QualityHot Spring Water
Capacity1people
An extremely rare taruburo that circulates the cold spring water from Ogoto Onsen directly without heating it. The water is lukewarm, so you can soak in it slowly without straining your body. The texture is exceptionally smooth, and rather than serving simply as a cooldown after the sauna, it provides a superbly pleasant alternating hot-and-cold bathing experience that gently settles the body and brings a deep sense of relaxation.
Closed Days: None
520-0101 Shiga Prefecture, Otsu City, Ogoto 1-9-28
Gender Access
Gender Separated
Curated by an expert who visits onsen and sauna facilities every day and has explored 300+ locations — only facilities confirmed to be truly exceptional are featured.
Learn moreOpen-air baths on a hill overlooking Lake Biwa, plus the signature taruburo where you can enjoy the spring just as it is
Shiga Otsu City
"Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso" is a hot spring ryokan perched on a hill in Ogoto Onsen in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. From the large public baths, "Benkey no Hikkizuri Kane" and "Tennyo no Mai," the soaring atrium and glass walls open up sweeping views of Lake Biwa. The hot spring is an alkaline simple spring with a smooth, gentle feel on the skin. In the open-air area, there is a compact sauna for 4 people and a "gensen taruburo" filled with undiluted, unheated water directly from Ogoto Onsen's source, offering a gentle alternating hot-and-cold bathing experience at around body temperature. Many of the guest rooms come with open-air baths.
TypeNatural Hot Spring
Ogoto Onsen is a natural hot spring known for its smooth, slippery feel. Its alkaline simple spring is cherished as a beautifying bath that gently removes old dead skin cells and leaves the skin soft and smooth. From the indoor baths and open-air baths of the large public bath on the hill, you can look out over Lake Biwa and enjoy an exquisite soak while feeling the pleasant breeze that flows through the space.
Sauna TypeDry Sauna
Stove TypeConvection Stove (Sauna Stone)
Capacity4people
A small wooden dry sauna tucked away in the open-air area. Its open location lets you work up a sweat while looking out over the surrounding greenery and the steam rising from the outdoor baths. Inside, the atmosphere is calm and cozy, filled with the warmth of wood, with no TV and a quiet ambience. You can warm your whole body slowly and thoroughly. Right nearby are a standing shower and a taruburo filled with source water used exactly as it is.
Water QualityHot Spring Water
Capacity1people
An extremely rare taruburo that circulates the cold spring water from Ogoto Onsen directly without heating it. The water is lukewarm, so you can soak in it slowly without straining your body. The texture is exceptionally smooth, and rather than serving simply as a cooldown after the sauna, it provides a superbly pleasant alternating hot-and-cold bathing experience that gently settles the body and brings a deep sense of relaxation.
Closed Days: None
520-0101 Shiga Prefecture, Otsu City, Ogoto 1-9-28
Gender Access
Gender Separated
Curated by an expert who visits onsen and sauna facilities every day and has explored 300+ locations — only facilities confirmed to be truly exceptional are featured.
Learn more