I recently had the pleasure of staying at the classic Inase Otsu Machiya in Japan and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The hosts were incredibly attentive and welcoming, and it was clear that they took great pride in the history and heritage of the property. They went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was as comfortable and enjoyable as possible and were always available to accommodate any requests or needs that we had. The Machiya itself was impeccably clean and comfortable, and it was the perfect size for two people. The attention to detail was apparent throughout, from the beautiful traditional Japanese decor to the thoughtful amenities provided. The view from the property was also stunning and added to the overall charm of the place. One of the highlights of our stay was the delicious and perfectly prepared breakfast that was provided each morning. It was a wonderful way to start the day and added to the overall experience. I would highly recommend the Inase Otsu Machiya to anyone looking for a unique and authentic Japanese experience. Thank you to the hosts for making our stay so enjoyable and memorable. We truly appreciated your hospitality and attention to detail and will cherish the memories of our time at the Machiya for years to come.

As a guest, I felt incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to stay in such a special place. It was a true privilege to experience the tranquility and beauty of the Machiya, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly authentic and memorable Japanese experience. Overall, I would highly recommend the Inase Otsu Machiya to anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind accommodation in Japan. The attention to detail, preservation of the Machiya's identity, and overall experience were all truly exceptional. Thank you to the owners for maintaining such a special and wonderful place.

One of the best places we have stayed in Japan. This place was mostly out of reach from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto, yet close enough to many other overlooked attractions. The space was very well taken care of, and our hosts had top-notch hospitality. Special thanks to Sachiko-San who took the extra effort to speak with us in English and made us feel at home. Next time we might want to stay here longer to embrace the peace and tranquility of Otsu. Grateful for this stay!

There are no lifts, so you will need to pack light. It would be unwise to lug your big luggage up the stairs and damage the property.

I spent an absolutely perfect rainy weekend here in July. The machiya is beautiful, full of character, and ever so peaceful. So when a torrential rainstorm rolled in, I was very happy to have an excuse to stay indoors and soak up the beauty and atmosphere here. I had a large tatami room with enclosed balcony and a sitting room, and wish I could just move in! Delicious breakfast that kept me going until dinner time. If you’re looking for a taste of traditional, historic Japan with all the mod cons, this is the place to stay!

It was perfect

Loved our stay here - even changed our plans to stay an extra day. The guesthouse is only 20 minutes from Kaito, with a direct train running to Otsu. The guesthouse was so authentic - with a lovely zen garden. The breakfast is a must - we had a traditional Japanese breakfast with salmon, rice and associated condiments. The staff were wonderful - made so many great recommendations - a fabulous local restaurant - great food and amazingly friendly staff. And suggested we go to the beach (on the lake) for a very chilled day. And even dropped us at the train.

Everything about Inase Otsu Machiya B & B is perfect. I just love how authentic and connected you feel once you step inside this beautiful space that it truly is magical and why I love traveling. Japanese breakfast was so good during my stay, room where breakfast was served was so special that somehow it made me enjoy my morning meal even more. Also everyone that I have had a pleasure to chat and connect during my 2 night’s stay just made me want to come back again as soon as possible. If you are looking for authentic experiences don’t look no further than this beautiful home☺️🙏.

Nothing

Everything was absolutely delightful. People working here were really nice and helpful, the breakfast was amazing, everything is very tasteful and makes you feel like you traveled back in time. The little garden, the bathrooms... everything made me feel comfortable and peaceful.

It was a tiny bit cold in the room, I guess this old building is not really well isolated. But nothing to complain about! I wasn't cold in my bed while sleeping so it was perfect.

I loved everything about this stay. The hotel and rooms are beautiful and very traditional. We had the room with the garden view and I highly recommend, I could have sat on that porch for hours looking at the garden. The staff were so friendly and helpful and very patient with my terrible Japanese! The breakfast was delicious and v generous. Good location - easy to find and walking distance from the station. I recommend the local restaurant Kadoman to try Omi beef, the best meal of my life!

Gorgeous old repurposed building, this was one of our favourite places we stayed thanks to the delightful staff and beautiful ambiance. Worth a night out of Kyoto to check this quaint area out. So peaceful and relaxing. And the breakfast was lovely. I’d recommend the old style rooms with the shared bathroom over the modern ones with bathroom. They just felt like an extension of our room really. Still have your own toilet and basin in the rooms. Thank you for a lovely stay!

Breakfast is delicious. There is a big common room we can use. Information on Otsu is provided in the room. We came in winter time. The heating facilities inside the room is good. We are lucky to have private bathroom. The facilities inside are modern and comfortable and come with heating as well. The staff have good command of English and are very helpful. It’s a beautiful building with historic value.

The location is a bit off. We are lucky to have the room on the ground; otherwise climbing the stairs with a big suitcase could be challenging.

The Inase House is just beautiful in every corner. It is very nicely renovated and decorated, with modern amenities. I stayed in the triple room and the bed was very comfortable. I have a basin and toilet in my room which I didn't expect in an old machiya house. I didn't use the bath/shower rooms in the guesthouse as I went to a nearby public bathhouse instead (Otsu Yu, also highly recommended for an authentic local bathing experience), but they look very modern and clean. I love the common/living room tatami area looking into the inner garden, where you can enjoy coffee/tea, read a book or chat with other travellers. This is also where the delicious and nicely prepared Japanese breakfast is served, and I really enjoyed the peaceful breakfast time there while looking into the beautiful garden. The staff (Mai) was polite, helpful and attentive. When I checked-in soaked from head to toes because of riding all day in the rain, she set-up a shoe drying machine for me to dry my shoes! What a savior! I also had a lovely shat with her about her experience living and working in Otsu. All in all, I had the most lovely stay and I hope I could come back one day!