The Ogoto hot springs are situated on the north side of Otsu, a city on the west bank of Lake Biwa, and just one non-stop, 20-minute ride on the Kosei Line from Kyoto.

Yuzanso is perfect for people who aren' t all that comfortable with the idea of sharing a big public bath with strangers: every guest room has its own private open-air bath, lending the hot spring experience a deeper sense of openness.

Yuzanso is one of the few hot spring ryokan facilities in Shiga Prefecture to offer Halal options, which make it a great accommodation for Muslim guests. (Note: The picture to the right does not show Halal cuisine.)

When travelers get to the Biwako Valley ski area, they can hardly hide their amazement at how conveniently accessible it is-just a 30- to 40-minute drive from downtown Otsu.

Take the cable car up to the top of the mountain and enter a world of pure, sparkling white and stunning panoramic views of the majestic Lake Biwa.

If you' re not going to be skiing or snowboarding down the slopes, there' s no need for any special apparel or equipment-but it's always a good idea to wear warm, waterproof clothing. Also remember to pack your sunglasses, as the light reflecting off the snow can be pretty bright.

Sunai no Sato, run by the renowned, Shiga Prefecture-based Japanese confectionery Kanou Shojuan, is a park where guests can get a delicious taste of the "Japanese spirit."

At Sunai no Sato, participants will get a special opportunity to try their hands at making rice cakes. You don' t need any prior experience, though: seasoned experts will teach you all you need to know-and you' ll be able to sample the rice cakes as soon as they' re ready. The park' s the perfect place to get your fill of Japan' s historic tea culture and take in the time-honored traditions of the “common people.”

High-end Japanese sweets are also available for purchase at the Sunai no Sato Park shop.