1. Robatayaki (Japanese barbecue) at Kanya

Robatayaki, a popular cooking tradition in Japan, lets people share a meal with colleagues, friends, or family around a communal hearth.

At a robatayaki restaurant, chefs cook up customers’ meat, vegetables, and fish right in front of them.

The most popular dishes at Kanya use high-grade free-range chicken, raised under optimal conditions in nearby Omihachiman. As the chefs grill the chicken over red-hot coals and the fat drips from the high-quality meat, the flares from the fire fill the air with mouth-watering anticipation.

Kanya also serves fresh seafood delivered directly from Kyushu. Make sure to try the restaurant's delectable selection of sashimi.

The per person price : 3,300JPY-

2. Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu at Morishima

The history of Omi beef, which has garnered a world-class reputation over the years, traces back to the "civilization and enlightenment" movement during the Meiji period. Over the 130 years since, Morishima has made Omi beef its specialty by raising pedigree female calves from the Tajima area at its own ranch in Ryuo, Omi, where both the air and the water are as clean and clear as can be.

With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, Omi beef delights even the most experienced connoisseurs from around the world. Morishima serves its selections of beef in the traditional "sukiyaki" or "shabu-shabu" styles, but we recommgoing opting for the shabu-shabu if you're after the real, pure taste of the meat.

The per person price : 8,000JPY-

3. Duck cuisine at Hamakogetsu

For years and years, people have been coming to Lake Biwa to marvel at the diverse range of wild birds that fly through the area. On the east side of the lake, near Nagahama Castle, is an old ryokan by the name of Hamakogetsu.

Although a fire recently destroyed the original Hamakogetsu building, the facility recovered and relaunched operations with a fresh start in March 2016.

At Hamakogetsu, the feature item is duck-a famous delicacy in the community around Lake Biwa. Once you’ve gotten a taste of the restaurant’s winter-only "kamo-suki," a dish with a distinctive, savory body, you’ll have trouble saying goodbye to the area.

The per person price : 6,000JPY-

4. Pakistani cuisine at Cheema Aunty

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in Katata, a community on the west side of Lake Biwa, is a little restaurant that’s just a bit different from the rest of the buildings on the block.

What you’ll find there is a restaurant that serves a Pakistani cuisine-based menu of halal dishes-perfect for Muslim guests-but also caters to a broad range of other tastes.

Lunch at Cheema Aunty is an all-you-can-eat selection of original salads and curries, including an exquisite mutton variation.

The coffee’s free, too, but pay a little extra for the goat milk chai-you’ll be glad you did. Cheema Aunty also has a prayer room and washing room for Muslim guests.

The per person price : 2,000JPY-

5. Barbecue on board at Himawari

Departing from Katata Port on the west side of Lake Biwa, the Himawari is an open-deck charter that lets passengers enjoy delicious barbecue fare as cool breezes blow across the waters of Lake Biwa.

The Himawari is a fully reserved charter vessel, so feel free to let loose, enjoy an ample selection of beer, wine, and Japanese sake, and have a great time-just make sure that the good times don’t spill over into the water.

The per person price : 10,000JPY- (15people or more)

6. Freshwater eel cuisine at Unagi Ya Gennai

Ask non-Japanese residents of Japan what their favorite Japanese food is, and a lot of them will say, "unagi" -freshwater eel!

Japanese people have loved kabayaki eel for centuries, revering it as one of the best seafood dishes around.

Every unagi restaurant has its own take on kabayaki sauce, a mirin- and soy sauce-based glaze. When you sit down for a kabayaki meal, prepare to be amazed: the rich, tasty fat of the eel and the sweet kabayaki sauce mingle in with the grains of steaming race to create a magnificent combination that you’ll never forget.

The per person price : 1,900JPY-