Hira Sanso
比良山荘
Kaiseki in Otsu, Shiga
Our analysis
- #1of 5 kaiseki restaurants in Otsu
- 84%of high-end restaurants in Shiga have a lower dinner budget
- 8 yearsThe Tabelog Award in a row
- Japaneseonline booking only
Dinner ¥40,000–49,999Closed Tuesdays and WednesdaysBook by phone
All 18 photos, by dishes, the room and the entrance
Dishes 12
Inside 5
Entrance 1
In our ranking, Hira Sanso is 1st of the 5 kaiseki restaurants in Otsu and 1st of 17 in Shiga. Its dinner budget on Tabelog (¥40,000–49,999) is higher than that of 84% of the high-end restaurants in Shiga in this guide, and higher than that of 80% of its kaiseki restaurants. Its record: The Tabelog Award every year since 2019 (8 times, 2 of them Gold; one of 3 in Shiga in this guide with that run) and Tabelog 100 in 2021, 2023, and 2025. It takes bookings online only in Japanese, on Ikyu Restaurant; 1 of the 17 kaiseki restaurants in Shiga can be booked online in English. Good for a private room.
For international visitors
Book through a concierge
No online booking in English and no menu or staff in English are listed. A hotel concierge can book for you.
| Menu | Not listed |
|---|---|
| Staff | Not listed |
| Website | In English |
| Payment | |
| Seating and facilities | Private rooms, Tatami room |
How to book Hira Sanso
- The restaurant also takes online bookings in Japanese through Ikyu Restaurant.
- Call 077-599-2058 (+81-77-599-2058 from outside Japan). Staff may speak only Japanese, so a hotel concierge can call for you.
Courses and prices
As listed on the restaurant's own website (names as written there). Prices are per person.
Ayu-tabe Course
from ¥30,000
per person, ≈$200
Cheapest
Yamanobe Course
from ¥30,000
per person, ≈$200
Tsuki-nabe Course
from ¥30,000
per person, ≈$200
Kaiseki course
山の辺会席
from ¥30,000
per person, ≈$200
Hanazansho-nabe Course
from ¥37,000
per person, ≈$250
¥7,000 more than the one above
Junsai-nabe Course
from ¥37,000
per person, ≈$250
焼松茸特別コース
¥60,000
per person, ≈$400
¥23,000 more than the one above
The food
Photos the restaurant posted on Tabelog.
Prices
| Dinner | ¥40,000–49,999 per person |
|---|---|
| Lunch | ¥40,000–49,999 per person |
| Diners report spending | ¥40,000–49,999 at dinner, ¥40,000–49,999 at lunch |
| Service charge | Service charge: 15% |
| Credit cards | |
| Electronic money | Not accepted |
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:30–14:00, 17:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 11:30–14:00, 17:00–19:00 |
| Friday | 11:30–14:00, 17:00–19:00 |
| Saturday | 11:30–14:00, 17:00–19:00 |
| Sunday | 11:30–14:00, 17:00–19:00 |
Seats and rooms
Inside
The dining room, in the restaurant's own photos.
| Seats | 40 |
|---|---|
| Private rooms | Yes |
| Private hire | Possible |
| Smoking | Designated smoking area The revised Health Promotion Act for passive smoking prevention has been in effect since April 1, 2020. Please check with the restaurant for the most up-to-date information. |
| Setting | A house restaurant, Tatami room |
| Drinks | Sake (Nihonshu), Shochu (Japanese spirits), Wine, Particular about Sake (Nihonshu) |
Getting there
Show this to a taxi driver
比良山荘滋賀県大津市葛川坊村町94 比良山荘
The address in Japanese, as drivers enter it
Location
| Address | 94 Katsuragawabomuracho Otsu, Shiga 520-0475 |
|---|---|
| Directions | From JR Katata Station, take the Eiwaka Transportation Bus Katata-Katsuragawa Line (bound for Hosokawa) and get off at Bōmura bus stop. It’s a 2-minute walk from there. |
Awards
- Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST “Tabelog 100”, 2025
- Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST “Tabelog 100”, 2023
- Selected for Tabelog Japanese cuisine WEST “Tabelog 100”, 2021
Questions visitors ask
How much does Hira Sanso cost?
The restaurant puts dinner at ¥40,000–49,999 per person and lunch at ¥40,000–49,999. Drinks and a service charge (Service charge: 15%) may be extra; credit cards are accepted.
When is Hira Sanso closed?
It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Sources
Facts on this page come from Tabelog (checked in November 2026), Ikyu, and the restaurant's website. Report a correction.