Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan

A long-established ryokan known for bath-hopping among distinctive baths

Ogoto Onsen Yumotokan is a 54-room onsen ryokan on the western shore of Lake Biwa, in Ogoto Onsen, which is said to have opened about 1,200 years ago. The baths include the rooftop open-air bath Gesshin no Yu with a spectacular view over Lake Biwa, the tree-surrounded open-air bath Yugen Shoyo, and the scenic communal baths Kobo no Yu and Sanbo no Yu, which face Lake Biwa and Mount Hiei respectively. Families can enjoy bathing through four baths with different atmospheres in one night. The open-air baths and communal baths alternate between men and women daily. Bathing hours are from 5 a.m. to midnight, with cleaning from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the two open-air baths. Both open-air baths, Gesshin no Yu and Yugen Shoyo, have only open-air bathing areas and no indoor baths, so combining them with a scenic communal bath is more practical with small children during colder periods.

Private-hire open-air baths for families and gentle spring water

There are two private-hire open-air baths: Konoka and Ishinone. The usual rate is 7,000 yen including tax for one 50-minute session, although some accommodation plans include a private-hire open-air bath as a benefit. The day-trip plan information states that reservations are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, so requests may not always be accommodated. These baths let families enjoy the onsen privately, without worrying about other guests, and are an easy way for small children to try a hot-spring bath for the first time. The water is a pH 9.0 highly alkaline simple onsen with a soft feel and little stimulation, which suits children with delicate skin and families traveling with babies. Whether children who are not yet out of diapers may use the communal bath is not stated, so please confirm with the hotel in advance.

A family suite for five and connected Japanese-style rooms

All rooms are nonsmoking, with a wide range of family-friendly choices. Renovated and reopened in July 2022, the Kotone Family Suite is one of only two such suites in the ryokan, measures 77.2 square meters, accommodates up to 5 guests, and includes an Ogoto Onsen open-air bath. Futon bedding is provided for stays of 3-5 guests. The Japanese-style tatami room with two connected rooms, measuring 12.5 tatami mats plus 7.5 tatami mats, offers a spacious layout for groups and multigenerational trips. Other choices include the 10-tatami Japanese-style room with a wide veranda, a semi-suite with twin beds in a 10-tatami Japanese-style room and an onsen open-air bath, and the detached Karoi, where every room has an onsen open-air bath. The three seventh-floor Kotone Suites—Executive Twin, Executive Double, and Private Suite—serve both dinner and breakfast in a dedicated in-room dining area. However, all three are designed for 2 guests; the five-person Kotone Family Suite serves dinner in a private room or dining area and breakfast as a buffet in the dining area.

Omi beef kaiseki, private dining rooms and allergy accommodations

Meals center on kaiseki cuisine using seasonal ingredients from Omi, with Omi beef, a branded Japanese beef with about 400 years of history, as the signature offering. Dining venues include the dining area and private dining rooms: Shogetsu for guests in the detached Karoi, Kisshotei in the main building's second floor, and Shosho-tei on the second floor of Kotone. Breakfast is served either as a restaurant buffet or in the ryotei dining venue. If food allergies are reported at the time of reservation, the hotel can prepare dishes with allergens removed as much as possible. Removal cannot be guaranteed, and requests are generally accepted up to 3 days before arrival, although requests made 2 days or less before arrival may sometimes be accommodated. For severe symptoms, the hotel may decline to provide the meal for safety reasons. In that case, guests may bring safe food and dishes, and the hotel can assist with heating them in a microwave or in a hot-water bath. Guests at risk of anaphylaxis are asked to bring an EpiPen.

Children's rate categories and ways to spend your time

Preschoolers can choose from four options: meals and futon, meals only, futon only, or neither meals nor futon. For ages 0-2 who need neither meals nor bedding, the facility-use fee is free; families with children aged 0-2 should inquire when making a reservation. Facilities include the Cafe Terrace Hanaunsui, a game corner with a fee, table tennis, karaoke with a fee, and a souvenir shop. A humidifier is available on request, which helps during the dry season when traveling with children. The ryokan is about 5 minutes by car from JR Ogoto Onsen Station, with a shuttle bus available by advance reservation, and about 20 minutes by train from Kyoto Station, making it a convenient base for combining a family trip with sightseeing in Kyoto.