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Hira Sansou

Japanese dishes bringing together Shiga’s delicacies on a secret mountain.

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Hira Sansou was established as a mountain lodge in front of the Myoo-in Temple and Jishu Jinja Shrine located close to the Okunoin (deeper temples) of the sacret Mt. Hiei.
The beautiful lodge was built in the manner of traditional Japanese architecture, and serves the finest kaiseki dishes with ingredients from Mt. Hira and Lake Biwa of Shiga Prefecture. Their menu changes seasonally and the peak season ingredients are cooked in a most delicate way, including wild mountain plants and vegetables in spring, Ayu fish in summer. and Matsutake mushrooms in fall.

Among these, the distinct menu, a chef’s favorite, is bear from Hira Mountain and only served in winter. The mountain bear meat is only available in the coldest season. Hira Sansou uses the Japanese Black Bear hunted by experienced hunters, so there is no peculiar aroma or acridness. The loin of bear meat has a light and sweet flavor and soft texture. It is rich in collagen, making it popular among women as well. Their Tsukinabe dish, which maximizes the flavor of such bear meat, keeps attracting guests all the time.

There is a wide selection of sake, shochu, whiskey, beer, and other drinks that go well with the food, and you can also choose selected wines that make a perfect pairing with Japanese cuisine. The restaurant respects good wines and has its own wine cellar. It offers over 50 different varieties of wine, mainly French Bordeaux and Burgundy. If you have trouble choosing, feel free to ask the staff.

Souvenirs are also available for purchase, such as ayu narezushi, which is made by fermenting and aging ayu fish with its eggs in Omi rice, and sansho ayu, which is slowly cooked ayu fish with sansho (Japanese pepper). Try these too.

Highlights

  • Dishes with wild mountain plants and vegetables, Ayu fish, and Matsutake mushrooms, etc.
  • The distinct menu at the restaurant is bear from Hira Mountain.
  • Dining experience in a beautiful Japanese style building.
  • Enjoy the perfect pairing of wine and Japanese food.
  • Unique souvenirs from Shiga Prefecture are available for purchase.

Photos

  • The spectacular view of the garden from the guest room.

    The spectacular view of the garden from the guest room.

  • Meals are served at table seatings.

    Meals are served at table seatings.

  • Summer menu includes an Ayu fish dish

    Summer menu includes an Ayu fish dish

  • Their unique dish, Tsukinabe, for bear meat

    Their unique dish, Tsukinabe, for bear meat

  • Wines are kept in the special wine cellar.

    Wines are kept in the special wine cellar.

  • Souvenir items are available for purchase

    Souvenir items are available for purchase

Reviews

Details

Name in Japanese
比良山荘
Postal Code
520-0475
Address
94 Katsuragawabomuracho, Otsu City, Shiga
Telephone
077-599-2058
Closed
Tuesdays
Business Hours
11:30am-1:00pm last entrance, 5:00pm-7:00pm last entrance (reservation only)
Budget
Lunch 30,000 yen, Dinner 30,000 yen
Access
From Katata Station on the JR Kosei Line, take the Ewaka Kotsu Bus bound for Hosokawa on the Katata-Katsuragawa Line. 30 minutes to Bomura Bus Stop, 2-minute walk.
Credit Cards
Accepted (VISA, MasterCard, American Express)
Official Website
Official Website (English)