Incredible ryokan experience! We loved the tranquil scenery which overlooked Lake Biwa. Breakfast and dinner were exceptional and traditional. We stayed two nights and the meals were never repeated. We loved the in room outdoor onsen overlooking the lake and the massage chair was a nice touch. A very relaxing stay. The staff was very friendly and really tried to speak English to us. We had no communication barriers. Will definitely return and highly recommend this ryokan. Very memorable experience.

It took us a long time to find a ryokan online that might offer a traditional and peaceful atmosphere at reasonable rates, and our search paid off. Ryokan Beniayu is somewhat remote and is not near busy tourist attractions, but for relaxing, watching birds, enjoying the lake (fantastic sunset view from the bath and room), and tasting some delicious foods this was better than expected. And our private outdoor bath was wonderful, too! We appreciated being welcomed so warmly. A nice stop between Kanazawa and Kyoto, even in the waning winter.

Being a little remote is both a pro and a con. The furnishings and decor were a bit dated/in need of refreshing.

Having not been to a place like this previously it was difficult to know what to expect. We suspected the room & private bath would be nice and the surrounding area would be peaceful, beside the water and in a nice quiet village. Well, it was all that and so much more. The food was truly stunning and the staff genuinely went out of their way at every opportunity to make sure our stay was enjoyable. If you're looking for a recharge weekend within hire car distance from Osaka/Kyoto I'd recommend you consider Ryokan Beniayu for 1-2 nights.

It would be difficult to fault them on anything. It was such a beautiful experience. The only thing I could say is there were few moments when we felt a little awkward/uncomfortable being treated like a higher class, when we're not, we just wanted a special weekend away.

The room view of Lake Biwa was spectacular. The room was a traditional Japanese style and very beautiful. I especially appreciated the massage chair for my sore back, and then the in-room soaking tub on the lanai. My back is feeling very well thank you!

The bicycle was a bit old and the seat uncomfortable.

Exceeded my expectations. High levels of service. Friendly staff. Wonderful views. Clean and comfortable . Relaxed in our traditional yukata. Enjoyed the private and hotel Onsens. Wonderful trip to Hikone castle & gardens.

The food was traditional & quite intense for us but fabulously presented.

We loved the private bath as well as the spacious and traditional room. Having a massage chair looking out over Lake Biwa was an added bonus. The staff were also very friendly, responsive, and kind.

There was not much to dislike about Ryokan Beniayu. To nitpick, we thought the roasted beef we ordered as an add-on to our set could have been more tender and juicy.

Amazing staff and service, made us feel at home. Comfortable room, amazing open-air onsen. Binoculars and massage chair included. Great meals, fresh food, delicate presentation and rich taste. Firefly tour is great (only wish to be longer and if possible one more site?). Car-friendly! We dont have to worry about the car. The staff even welcomed us with a gift for our honeymoon :)

View is great except during onsen (the bars blocking the sight..) the futons are a bit smaller than I expected, but still very comfortable. The location is far from town but that's why the whole experience is so peaceful.

Food was very nice, got to try a lot of unique dishes we wouldn’t have had otherwise. Really loved the rice as simple as that is. Personal onsen was very enjoyable and relaxing. It fit two people comfortably. The staff were super friendly and attentive.

The shower was outside (next to the private onsen). It was very cold during our stay, so showering outside was not very enjoyable.

The staff was extremely kind and caring. There is a shuttle to and from the train station which is practical. The view was beautiful and it was very peaceful.

If you don't have a car it can be difficult to explore the area around the hotel.

Loved the furo on the balcony so we could enjoy a private soak while the rain was falling outside our balcony. Breakfast and dinner were both terrific. We were pleasantly surprised when we decided to take a rest day from our travels and stay in for most of the day while it rained, and they provided lunch for us. Loved the artworks, especially the vases.