The hotel on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan
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Located almost at the center of Japan, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa, is designated as a nature reserve park. Many tourists visit this area to enjoy the wonders of the nature the lake and surrounding mountains offer during different seasons. Many different kinds of fish and birds are found here in an environment where nature and the city live in harmony. The area is also designated as a nature protected area. Environmental issues have become global issues. On an initiative taken by Shiga Prefecture where Lake Biwa is located, the first “World Lake Environment Conference” was held in 1984, on the shores of the Lake Biwa. Since then, this conference was held approximately in every two years in the United States,Hungary, China, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, Kenya, and India. The area is also certified as wetland under Ramsar Convention, an international treaty on the conservation of wetlands.
Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel is located on the north west region of the lake where the lake is particularly vast and nature of the the nearby mountains are beautiful. As it takes about about an hour from Kyoto and about an hour and half from Osaka by JR trains, the hotel is easy to access from popular sightseeing cities nearby. In recent years, foreign tourists have also found their way to the hotel as the area came to know as an easily reach resort area. If you venture in to the nearby areas of the hotel not only nature you could also experience the culture and history unique to Japan. Enjoy strolling through the port town and the unique atmosphere where cruise boats departs to the mysterious Chikubu island. Enjoy the scenery unique to the area and discover the local restaurants. Though the area is not urban, the hotel is very conveniently located with nearby Supermarkets, 24-hour convenience stores, large electronics stores, pharmacies, McDonald’s, etc. You can visit here with just your knapsack, jeans and sneakers. You could plan a short excursion to this area between your stay in Kyoto or Osaka.
* Advice on trains from Kyoto
From Kyoto Station to Lake Biwa, there are two routes the “Kosei Line” route and the “Biwako Line” route. Please note that you need to take the “Kosei Line” route. For information on the Kosei Line from Kyoto Station visit
Lake View
Lake view Semi Double 18.5m2
Lake view room with Lake Biwa extending to the horizon in front of you. Light pouring down on the lake from the rising sun.
Lake view twin 26.2m2
Extra beds can accommodate up to 3 people.
Mountain View
Mountain view single 17.5m2
Enjoy the views of the mountain range and the laid-back scenery of the Imazu town.
Mountain view twin 26.2m2
Enjoy the mountain range view and the laid-back scenery of the Imazu town. Extra bed can accommodate up to 3 people.
Mirroring function allow you to project the screen of your smartphone or tablet on the big screen of your TV and enjoy streaming services such as YouTube and Spotify, as well as photos, videos, and music.
*Compatible with both Android and iOS.
Please make reservations via Booking.com.
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The 2.4km long Meta sequoia Namiki road is a tourist spot that represents Shiga Prefecture. You can enjoy the fresh greenery as well as autumn leaves here. Enjoy walking or visiting “Makino Pick Land” along the road and spend a relaxing day.
Shirahige Shrine, famous for its large torii gate floating in Lake Biwa is also popular as an Instagram spot. In recent years foreign tourists too are visiting here. The deity of the shrine is known as “the god of guidance”. Wouldn’t you like to ask for some divine guidance?
The Makino Plateau, which continues from the Meta sequoia Namiki trees, is a ski resort with a gentle slope. You can also enjoy playing with snow at the kids park. During summer, you can enjoy ground golf and forest walks.
Located along the Meta sequoia Namiki road this facility offers harvest experience at its huge farm. From early summer through the summer, you can experience “cherry picking” and “grape picking”,here and in autumn when the nature is beautiful “potato digging”. You should try their famous gelato!
A beach found at the end of the pine forest that runs along the Lake from hotel. The beach with its clean water is known as a good bathing spot. Well equipped with numerous facilities, the beach can be enjoyed by groups and families.
Chikubu Island, the mysterious island floating on Lake Biwa, is a popular tourist attraction that can be reached by sightseeing cruise ship from Imazu Port.Imazu Port is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. (25 minutes to the island) At the old shrine on the island you can see some important cultural assets and national treasures. Make a visit to the island the warlords in the past had visited to pray for the success of their battles!
One of the most popular ski resorts in Kansai. At the slope 690 meters above sea level, you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Biwa stretching below. It offers Ski trails suited for beginners to advance skiers and sledding etc. for children, perfect for families with children.
At the top of Mt. Hakodate, which can be seen from the mountain side rooms is an observation deck known as ‘Biwako no mieru oka’or ‘Lake Biwa view hill.’In summer and autumn,various flowers such as Kokias, 4000 of them bloom here and is popular as photo spot.
Variety of migratory birds arrive at Lake Biwa from Siberia and other locations during winter. At this observation center, you can observe those migratory birds from indoors.After taking a bird watching walk along the shore it might be a good idea to take break at the cafe with chemical free cup of coffee.
This outlet selling local produce is located adjacent to the JR Shin Asahi station. Goods sold here are produced in this area and couldn’t be found anywhere else for sale. Local food items, local sake, crafts and Takashima speciality Takashima Chijimi, specially processed clothing material etc. are sold here.
An entertaining facility mainly for children with large playground equipment, athletics in an open lawn and Table Tennis and trampolines indoors. This facility that makes no children tired playing here all day long makes it very popular among local families.
The hot spring in the mountain town Kuchiki is about 30 minutes drive from hotel. The open-air bath here allow you to enjoy the natural landscape. The heated pool is ideal for children. Please try to taste the freshwater trout caught from the nearby river or the ice cream from the local farm.
At Takashima, the old castle town, some samurai residences still remains and a collection of these houses form a village to offer different experiences. Cafes, dyeing clothes, making candles are some activities found. You may able to buy local sake too from a brewery with a few hundred years of history.
At the restaurant overlooking the magnificent Lake Biwa, you could choose your menu to suit the occasion from a casual lunch to Japanese kaiseki cuisine.
Lakeside restaurant Ashimi hours
We also accept reservations for private room functions from 4 to 20 people. (Reservation required)
Please use these facilities for your small group functions.
Our dynamic banquet hall overlooking the North Biwako is located at the top floor of the hotel. The private observation room is ideal for a meeting, a party with dinner setting.
The banquet hall, largest in the area can accommodate 300 people in seated style. The room can be used for meetings, seminars, and parties.
Suitable foe small group meals.
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For reservations please visit Booking.com