Sokotei Gennai

Although we found this inn by chance, we were very satisfied. The bamboo forest tunnel leading to the entrance is uplifting. The corner room in the annex where we stayed had an appearance reminiscent of a certain Ghibli film, and had a wonderful atmosphere that evoked an extraordinary experience. I've heard that this inn prides itself on its food, and I was blown away by the deliciousness of the Biwa trout. I highly recommend trying it when you visit Shiga. The hot springs are available for private use in the evening, and were a great way to soothe both body and mind. There were also books about Kohoku casually placed in the room, so I enjoyed sitting in a chair and reading. The occasional glimpses of the countryside outside the window were also particularly special. With only four groups allowed per day, this was a wonderful inn where we could really appreciate the thoughtfulness not found in larger accommodations. I would definitely like to return when the seasons change.

We didn't stay overnight, but stopped by for lunch on our way back. It was a very charming place, and a cute cat greeted us. We had the sashimi and grilled eel course, and the eel sashimi and the eel otoshi (prepared like conger eel otoshi) were both delicious. I had the grilled eel and rice served separately, while my wife had an eel rice bowl. The eel was thick, tender, and very tasty. I was surprised by the size of the liver in the liver soup. Thank you for the delicious meal. I've also heard that the hot springs are good, so I'd like to try them next time.

It's been almost 20 years since I went there with my two daughters. I think the husband cooked and the wife entertained the guests at the time. The food was delicious, but the wife's hospitality was unfriendly and standoffish, and I had a scary impression of her. When I was asked, "Would you like to make your own sukiyaki?", I, a housewife who rarely has others cook for me, said, "Please make it for me," but she clearly didn't want to, became even more unfriendly, and just went along with it half-heartedly. I still regret not asking her to do it.

In the rain, I was picked up at the station by a London taxi. The inn felt like a hideaway, and the dining room and room were both exciting. I also enjoyed the Lake Country delicacies, which I had never tried before. There was a kotatsu in the room, and I resisted the temptation to fall asleep there (they provided a futon). On the way back, I was taken back to the station. If the weather hadn't been so bad, I would have liked to have gone for a walk, so I'm looking forward to my next visit.

There are many good things about this hotel, such as the friendly and welcoming staff, the retro feel of the rooms, and the special atmosphere of only accepting four groups per day, but the best thing is the dinner! The charcoal-grilled eel and Omi beef steak were amazing! In particular, it was the first time I'd ever eaten eel that was that delicious! Taking all of this into consideration, I think 30,000 yen is a bargain.