[Short Stay] Lakeside Luxury Stay in a Private Villa by Lake Biwa

Erstwhile Post Town in the Land of the Lake: Takashima City, Shiga

Once a vital link in the trade routes connecting Kyoto with the Hokuriku region (central coast of the sea of Japan), Takashima has long been a popular stop for travelers. During its heyday as an Edo Period post town, merchants passing through on business would frequent its lakeside hatago inns. Today, it is largely known for its pure and delicious mountain meltwater, which underpins its thriving farming and sake brewing communities – as well as for its natural lakeside beauty, rustic tranquility, and historic traditional Funa-zushi cuisine.

Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, is the site of extensive natural beauty and a rich culinary culture

Elegant Villa by the Lake: Usagiya

Before the modern renovations that rebirthed it as the elegant private Japanese villa it is today, the structure of Usagiya began its life as one of the hatago inns that served travelers passing through the town during its bustling days as a post town. Today, it is a luxury private vacation villa designed for more privacy, freedom, and independence than the more traditional ryokan-style stay. Usagiya is a place where guests can truly enjoy Takashima as if they had a second home here.

The renovated Usagiya structure sacrifices none of the town’s original traditional rustic charm

Tranquil Lakeside Luxury

Designed from the ground up for the perfect blend of modern luxury and rustic getaway, the only amenity Usagiya doesn’t offer is distraction. There is no television on the property, but there are stunning views of Lake Biwa, Chikubu Island, and Mount Ibuki from its traditional tatami room, western-style bedroom, living and dining room, full kitchen, wooden deck, and two luxurious baths (which can be opened to the lakeside air).

Usagiya’s second-floor tatami room offers a traditional alternative space to the modern Western-style living, dining, and bedroom on the first floor

Unplug from the demands of the world and let the sloshing sounds of waves and the calls of wild waterfowl soothe you. If you don’t want to leave your tech pleasures behind completely, you’re covered with Wi-Fi throughout the property and Bluetooth Bose speakers in the living room.

Workshop stocked with over one hundred small and large hand planers

Whip up Meals Like a Local, or Enjoy Dinner Served by a Private Chef (Additional Option)　

Because Usagiya is a fully private, Japanese lakeside house, it does not offer meal service. Its kitchen, however, is stocked with every cooking utensil you need to make dinner and breakfast just the way you like it. Ingredients can be bought at a local supermarket or brought in with you (basics like salt, sugar, and soy sauce are prepared on-site).

Planing the wood to the perfect thickness to sit naturally in your hand

If you’d like to just take it easy and have dinner prepared for you in the comfort of your vacation home, Wabunka can also arrange for a private chef to be dispatched straight to you.*

*Additional fees apply. Dinner only.

Perilla oil draws out the beauty of the wood grain.

A Home Base for Exploration

Though you might not want to leave the lavish comforts of the Usagiya villa during your stay, there are excellent excuses to stretch your legs and explore the vicinity. Chinaigawa no Namiki Avenue is a beautiful metasequoia-lined riverside road that draws big crowds in peak season, and you can reach it in just 45 minutes from Usagiya by train, 15 minutes by car, or a little over two hours on foot through rustic rural scenery.

The Biwa shore offers long tranquil walks in stunning natural scenery

Makino Sunny Beach, a similar distance away, is a popular spot for lake campers or local families with children to splash around – or to rent kayaks for a jaunt out on the lake (arrangements not provided by Usagiya or Wabunka). Visitors in springtime shouldn’t miss Kaizu Osaki – one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan – also within a fifteen-minute drive. If you enjoy a ferry ride, the temple of Hogonji on the sacred Chikubu Island within Lake Biwa itself is certainly worth a trip. Usagiya is a perfect jumping-off point from which to enjoy Biwa in all seasons.