The Best Historic Hotels in Otsu from ￥25,080 in 2026

A lock system with water gates, a bridge, and a modern building with orange and white colors.

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Our top choices for Otsu historic hotels

A hanging spherical decoration with a wooden hanger, a potted plant with green foliage, and multiple hanging light fixtures with the text "SUPER HOTEL" in the background.

A bar area with various bottles of beverages and a black table with handwritten notes.

A modern hotel lobby with a reception desk, seating area, and a wall with cultural decorations.

A restaurant interior with a central wooden counter, seating area, and decorative lanterns.

1. Super Hotel Kyoto Shijyo Kawaramachi

Downtown Kyoto

Ginalyn

￥23,537

￥26,329 total

Nov 3 - Nov 4

A narrow hallway with a traditional Japanese sliding door, a ceiling light, and a refrigerator.

A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, a low wooden table, and a bookshelf with various books and decorative items.

A row of bicycles parked outside a building with a wooden facade and a sign with Japanese characters.

A room with two beds, a wooden ceiling, a window, and a traditional Japanese shoji screen.

2. Unoan traditional townhouse near Gion

Gion

Jason N.

￥26,400

￥30,149 total

Oct 29 - Oct 30

A tatami mat room with a low wooden table, cushions, and sliding doors leading to a traditional Japanese room.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a wooden table with a vase, and sliding doors.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a wooden dining table with chairs, a sliding door, and a small potted plant.

A traditional Japanese building with a wooden exterior, a sliding door with vertical slats, and a small sign above the door.

3. Stay in a traditional machiya in a local arcade!

Higashiyama Ward

Neil S.

￥46,800

￥53,189 total

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low wooden table, and a hanging lamp.

A traditional Japanese building with a wooden sliding door and a blue awning with white text.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low table, and a hanging light fixture.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low wooden table, a television, and a hanging lamp.

4. (Guest House) Kiyomori no Baika

Shimogyo Ward

"The house is conveniently located, close to the JR station and there are a bunch of restaurants within walking distance. There is also a 100-year-old stationery store close by, which we really enjoyed. Everything was clean and well-maintained, and it was very neat to be able to show our kids a more traditional, old-style Japanese house. We were disappointed that there was no tatami, however, as it appears there has been a recent renovation, and more disappointed that the rules asked guests not...

Helen W.

￥12,980

￥27,786 total

Nov 3 - Nov 4

A modern two-story residential building with large sliding glass doors, a flat roof, and a visible satellite dish.

A living room with a sofa, a dining table with chairs, and wall-mounted artwork.

A dining table set with white plates, silverware, and a brown placemat.

A compact hotel room with a dining area, a bed with patterned bedding, and wall art.

5. ~ Momo Lee Sakura Umekoji 1 MAX 5PPL near KYOTO STATION ~

Shimogyo Ward

Francesca C.

￥11,980

￥25,080 total

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A compact living space with a kitchenette, a dining area with chairs, a bed with pillows, and a window providing natural light.

A chrome faucet with a lever handle attached to a wall.

A compact kitchenette with a microwave, kettle, and a small shelf with decorative items.

6. ~ Tomori Sakura Umekoji 2 MAX5PPL FREE WIFI near KYOTO STATION ~

Shimogyo Ward

Adrianne H.

￥15,000

￥29,628 total

Oct 27 - Oct 28

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a shoji screen, and a view of a garden with a stone lantern.

A traditional Japanese house with a thatched roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a gravel path.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, shoji screens, and a sliding door with a landscape painting.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, a low wooden table, and various decorative items including a blue and white ceramic plate, a statue, and a hanging scroll.

7. Traditional 200y-oHouse Outside Kyoto

Ukyo Ward

Sydney M.

￥30,000

￥39,778 total

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, a low wooden table, and a futon bed.

A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring, shoji screens, and a low table with a tea set.

A tatami mat room with traditional Japanese decor, including shoji screens and calligraphy.

8. Private Farmhouse stay outside Kyoto

Ukyo Ward

Laura

￥25,000

￥34,258 total

Nov 8 - Nov 9

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Top Otsu Hotel Reviews

Yumotokan

10/10 Excellent

"My partner and I had an amazing time here!! We wanted a private onsen bc we have tattoos and it was everything we wanted and more!! The staff were so kind and attentive and the room and amenities blew us away, we will definitely be back and book an even longer stay next time!"

APA Hotel Kyoto Eki Horikawadori

10/10 Excellent

"La habitación pequeña pero funcional , equipada con secadora de cabello , accesorios de limpieza shampoo, acondicionador, jabón cara y cuerpo. Agua potable para beber , refrigerador pequeño. Cómodo y excelente ubicación para caminar a la estación de Kioto! Desayuno con costo adicional pero muy sabroso y variado! Recomendable!"

Biwako Ryokusuitei

10/10 Excellent

"Oh my God, I am obsessed with the Ryokusuitei! I could not believe such a place existed. Throughout our stay, we felt treated as royalty. The service❤️ Oh, I miss all the hard-working ladies and gentlemen at this hotel - they were so good to us ❤️ The food, the FOOD was so amazing ❤️ The evening kaiseki shabu-shabu, as well as the sprawling Japanese-style breakfast (be aware this is a Japanese breakfast buffet, not an international one, so if you don't like fish or pickles - that's on you). The private onsen on the balcony, with a view of the lake! I could cry just thinking about it. The water was lightly scented 🌺 The hotel is well worth the price, when you are basically getting the royal experience for a short little while. They also have a free shuttle that will pick you up at the nearest train station, which is easily accessible both from Osaka station and from Kyoto. Overall 10/10 highly recommend!"

Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Great English speaking staff with beautiful rooms. We booked last minute for one night and got a free upgrade. The view of the lake and city is gorgeous. I would recommend staying here for comfort."

Apa Hotel Biwako Seta Ekimae

10/10 Excellent

"This is our home away from home when we visit my family. We get a twin room so that we have some extra space. Proximity to the station is great, and there are two grocery stores within walking distance. Laundry facilities are good, and the rooms are always clean. The bed is a bit soft for my liking, but my husband loves it. We will be staying at APA Seta Ekimae again in the future. We did not have their breakfast."

Biwako Hotel

8/10 Good

"room fine bathroom a bit dated as is the rest of the hotel. overall good location right on lake all rooms have view of lake pool is free for resident but very over clorinated which gave us all bad rashes. so only used once which was a sham as reason we stayed there. station close and hotel has shuttle bus to station 3 times an hour which was good over all hotel ok probably not to my taste but very popular with locals we were only english there and a good place to stay away from hustle and bustle of kyoto but easy access as only two stops on train. stayed there 20 years ago and it hadn’t changed since then"

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect on my historical trip to Otsu?

A visit to the significant historical sites in Otsu is probably number one on your sightseeing itinerary. You can check out the lakeside and hot springs during your visit.

How many historical hotels are there in Otsu?

Otsu is home to 66 lodging options bookable on Expedia but not many designated as historic hotels.

What are the most important historical places and other sights in Otsu?

Otsu is notable for landmarks like Enryakuji Temple, Ishiyamadera Temple, and Former Chikurin-in Temple. Cultural venues include Mount Hiei, Biwako Hall, and Otsu City Science Museum. A couple of additional sights to add to your agenda are Ogoto Onsen and Hiei-zan & Enryaku-ji.

What is a historic hotel like in Otsu?

When you choose a historic hotel, you'll spend a night or two in a place that has an official historic designation. A castle, stately home, palace or even a pub, lodge, old police station, or skyscraper can be turned into a historic hotel provided that it's a place of special interest. Traditional architecture and period features are typically preserved within the guestrooms or public spaces of such hotels in Otsu, giving a real sense of character.

What is the difference between a historic hotel and a heritage hotel?

You'll often hear the term "heritage hotel" in Asia and Europe, wheareas the term "historic hotel" is more commonly used in the U.S. but overall the terms are quite similar. The architecture and actual building of a historic hotel tends to be what's most significant. For a heritage hotel, it's often the cultural value and how it inspired the community.

Do historic hotels in Otsu have modern facilities?

Hotel interiors feature the modern conveniences and safety features you might expect, but every effort is made to preserve the historic aspects and traditions. Smart TVs, WiFi, updated bathroom facilities, and the normal amenities found in most hotels will also be available in a historic hotel. Rest assured that when you select a historic hotel in Otsu, you won't be staying at a place that's uncomfortable or rundown.

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Find Historic Hotels in Otsu

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check availability on Otsu Historic Hotels

Our top choices for Otsu historic hotels

1. Super Hotel Kyoto Shijyo Kawaramachi

2. Unoan traditional townhouse near Gion

3. Stay in a traditional machiya in a local arcade!

4. (Guest House) Kiyomori no Baika

5. ~ Momo Lee Sakura Umekoji 1 MAX 5PPL near KYOTO STATION ~

6. ~ Tomori Sakura Umekoji 2 MAX5PPL FREE WIFI near KYOTO STATION ~

7. Traditional 200y-oHouse Outside Kyoto

8. Private Farmhouse stay outside Kyoto

Top Otsu Hotel Reviews

Yumotokan

APA Hotel Kyoto Eki Horikawadori

Biwako Ryokusuitei

Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel

Apa Hotel Biwako Seta Ekimae

Biwako Hotel

Frequently asked questions

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