Shiga Biwa Lake Shanshui House

The house is very well equipped and clean. I was lucky that a group of university students were staying the same night, so I spent the time with them. It was fun

The only downside is that there's no conbini around so you have to take a train to the next station if you want to get some groceries, but not much of a problem since the place is really close to the station. Also there are a few restaurants around if you just want somewhere to eat

The room -- it was a separate room in the annex, and it was the only room in the annex -- in other words, we occupied the whole annex. 2 comfortable bedrooms, private bath and loo. Very cozy and good value indeed.

Everything was OK. One just needs a bit of effort to roll the suitcase from the gate to the house (pebble path).

The fashon of a Japanese traditional house

Nothing

Nice Guesthouse! It takes only a few minutes to the Lake Biwa. We were allowed to check in early and the owner even gave us a better Room, because we had lots of luggage with us. It has a very calm and cozy atmosphere. Great!

Nice location in countryside village. Biwa lake is 15 minutes walk, and that corner of the lake is totally quiet.

Authentic / historic / old and worn / neglected... depends on your viewpoint. The room didn t smell fresh. The smell of desinfectant stuff is everywhere. Can hear every step of other guests. 40 USD for a 2p guesthouse room per night is way too much (but had no choice). VISA is listed as payment option, but was refused and only cash was accepted. Nearest 7-eleven with ATM is in Makino village 5km away, need to take the train which only goes once every hour. Note: Last train to arrive at station is around 21:00!

I got room with a classic Japanese style bedroom. It was very good. Now I want my own room at home constructed like them

Kinda expensive 😅

Location

No kettle in kitchen, only found in room while there is no water supply in that double bed room.

It's hard to point something that I liked to be honest. But perhaps the fact they have a BBQ set (if you get the most expensive room in the place) is kinda nice.

The place doesn't have any parking at all, so I had to park outside near an abandoned house. The staff doesn't speak English at all and initially it seemed they were having issues with the Booking payment and they were requesting cash only for payment (which I didn't have enough). The house is VERY VERY old and everything smells like cockroach pesticide. Wallpapers falling apart, bedsheets that didn't looked and felt clean at all. The walls are paper thin and the people next door were partying until 2am... No one at the reception to complain... When both my wife and I were to take a shower, there were no hot water at all... So we had to shower using cold water. What a horrible experience!

Only 1 restaurant close by. NOTHING is remotely closed except for the train station. It was like staying at someone’s house. Air conditioner worked good. Traditional bathrooms.

I knew the pitfalls before I made reservations. Nothing in Takashima in terms of hotels. I’ve been riding my bicycle across Japan and fighting with Google maps. Every time you put in Sahshui House they give a different location. Only 1.5 blocks away from the train stations. The House is 100 meters east of the railroad tracks.