BEACH HOUSE WANI boasts one of the best locations, right on the shores of Lake Biwa's beach. Situated along the prefectural road, it's a 13-minute walk south of Horai Station on the JR Kosei Line, and a 20-minute walk north of Wani Station. From JR Osaka Station, it's about an hour and a half away by train and on foot.

You'll find the BEACH HOUSE WANI vacation stay inside the WANI BASE complex, which also includes a cafe, an inn, a restaurant, stand-up paddleboarding, and BBQ. It can accommodate up to eight people, so feel free to bring your family and friends!

BEACH HOUSE WANI is a two-story building. On the first floor, you will find a dine-in kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom (with bidet, shower, and bathtub), and toilet. On the second floor are two bedrooms and a toilet. There is also an outside bar (limited time only), a private beach, and an outdoor terrace.

One perk of this place is that you get to enjoy the entire building, all by yourself! Have a meal in your living room, or enjoy a BBQ on your own private terrace!

It's so close to the lake you can even hear the sound of the waves crashing on the shore! Sit and relax on the terrace as you watch the sun rise over Lake Biwa, and gaze out over the mountains. Then fall asleep to the sound of the waves in the provided hammock.

The sunrise over Lake Biwa is incredible, and you can watch it rise over the lake from the comfort of your own room.

You may even be able to trace the reddish path of the rising sun on the surface of Lake Biwa.

Here are some reviews from foreign guests: "All of the rooms were clean, but the kitchen was spotless!" "This place was only a five-minute walk to the lake and had a magnificent view, a hamburger shop, and a BBQ spot. It's the perfect place for a summer vacation!"

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Coin trays used - Plastic partitions installed - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Restricted admission, reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

Next to BEACH HOUSE WANI is the American-style hot dog cafe, Cafe WANI BASE. An original restaurant, Kokoku no Megumi, opened on July 1, 2021, featuring special local ingredients such as wild fish from Lake Biwa and Omi. The extensive facilities are great for long-term stays, with a variety of ways to enjoy your meals, including BBQ and restaurants.

Staff are stationed on the premises of Wani Base in the "SUP Colony", who will gladly assist you during your stay around Lake Biwa. You can also check out activities such as banana boating, jet skiing, yoga, canoeing, and fishing. (Reservations required)

It's a five-minute drive to the recreational mountain facility, Biwako Valley and Biwako Terrace, situated at an altitude of 1,100 meters.

There's a variety of activities you can enjoy from spring to autumn, and hiking and skiing in the winter. Hiratopia, a natural hot spring facility with open-air baths surrounded by trees, is also only a 10-minute drive away!

Awaji Seaside Log House in Goshiki is a private log cabin in Goshiki, Sumoto City, that faces the Seto Inland Sea in the southwestern part of Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.

It takes about 20 minutes from the Sumoto IC on the Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway to Goshiki, and about two hours from JR Osaka Station via connecting trains and buses. This hilltop villa boasts one of the best panoramic views of the sea in Awaji!

The cozy, wooden interior has two floors. There's a living-dining room-kitchen (LDK) and bathroom with a hot tub, bidet, shower, and toilet on the first floor, and a bedroom and terrace on the second floor. There's also a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen with a microwave, and a washing machine.

The kitchen includes two IH cooktop stoves and a set of cooking utensils including pots, pans, kitchen knives, and cutting boards. You can also rent a gas stove, earthenware pots, and hot plates. Of course, tableware, glasses, chopsticks, and spoons are also provided. Enjoy cooking your own meals with the fresh fish and vegetables from Awaji Island!

The second-floor bedroom has two double beds and two futons, and the first-floor living room has a sofa bed. Altogether the space can accommodate up to seven guests. There's also a terrace next to the bedroom that overlooks the sea.

The garden also has a barbecue facility, so you can grill while overlooking the sea. All you need is charcoal, ignition equipment, and your food!

Here are some comments from tourists who have stayed here: "Having a BBQ right by the sea was amazing. There was a comfortable breeze blowing at the top of the hill." "The balcony was really spacious. At night, you can hear the sound of the waves throughout the villa. I'm so glad I was able to stay at this mountain villa!"

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests requested to wear masks

Support for Foreign Guests
English, Chinese, and Korean-speaking staff members available.

There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby. We recommend renting a car for sightseeing around Awaji Island.

By car, it only takes five minutes to Keino-Matsubara Beach with its beautiful sunsets, 10 minutes to Wellness Park Goshiki, with its hot spring facilities, and 20 minutes to Awaji Farm Park England Hill, an agricultural park that even has koalas!

You can also get to Michi-no-Eki Uzushio in 25 minutes for cooking and shopping. Rent a car and take a self-guided tour of the spectacular scenery!

Awaji Egaosakuie Tonouchi is a rental inn that recently opened in May 2021. It is located in the northwestern part of Awaji Island in Tonouchi, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, along the sea side of Prefectural Road 31. Nicknamed the Awaji Sunset Line, you can usually see a beautiful sunset on the west coast from here.

It's about five minutes by car from the Hokudan IC, and about two hours from JR Osaka Station by train and bus.

This 40-year-old folk house is a two-story building, once made up entirely of Japanese-style rooms. However, the first floor has undergone simple renovations to replace the floors and tatami mats, while keeping the original Japanese-style atmosphere. The kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, and cooking utensils such as pots and pans, tableware, and glassware.

There are three bedrooms. The former Buddhist altar room on the first floor has been renovated into a bedroom room with Ryukyu tatami mats and two single beds for a relaxing sleep. There's also a table set on the porch, just like you'd expect of a high-class hot spring inn.

On the second floor are two more bedrooms. The remodeled, yellow Western-style room has a fun and relaxing atmosphere, with two tatami mats and a hanging chair. The other room is spacious and has two double beds. In addition, there are three futons and one extra bed, accommodating a maximum of 14 people, so feel free to bring the entire family or all of your friends!

There is a large garden with BBQ facilities. All you need to bring is the charcoal, lighting tools, and of course, your food!

Foreign guests who stayed here comment: "It was a nice house with a fishing spot nearby." "The inside of this big house was very clean, and even had a BBQ. I also liked that it was close to the sea."

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests requested to wear masks

Support for Foreign Guests
English, Chinese, and Korean-speaking staff available.

There are a number of tourist attractions nearby, including a beach in the immediate vicinity where you can go swimming and fishing, and then unwind at dusk.

About 20 minutes north by car you will find Hyogo Prefectural Park Awaji Hanasajiki, with its amazing colorful flowers. About five minutes from there is the Nijigen no Mori Hyogo Kenjitsu Awajishima Anime Park.

The Awaji Izanagi Jingu shrine, which is mentioned in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, is also only 20-minutes away by car. As you can see, Awaji Island has many great sightseeing spots! However, public transportation is limited, so we highly recommend renting a car.

Chikubu Yuuan is a fully-renovated, 130-year-old traditional Japanese house located in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.

Ride the limited express train from JR Osaka Station to Nagahama Station (about an hour and 40 minutes), then take a cab from there (about 10 minutes). The building is located in the moated village of Shimoyagi-cho, where the old-fashioned rural scenery remains. Lake Biwa is only a 10-minute walk away!

While the home still retains its old-fashioned charm, the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen come with the latest equipment. The air conditioner and underfloor heating also guarantee a comfortable stay. The space can accommodate up to 12 people - as many as two or three families in a single trip!

On the north side of the building, the Fireplace Room is a comfortable spot to spend your time, no matter the season! Chill out in the summer, or warm up in the winter with its floor heating. The LDK flooring has been remodeled from tatami mats to wood, and the traditional Mizuya kitchen chest completes the atmosphere.

The bedroom is a Japanese-style room with a futon. Any of the four Japanese-style rooms can be used as a bedroom, so pick your favorite!

The main bathtub in the bathroom is a cypress tub, and the small bathtub is a Goemon bath (iron kettle-like tub heated from underneath). These two different tubs offer not one, but two ways to relieve any tiredness from your trip!

You can also see the traditional craftsmanship of the thatched roof from inside the building. Check out the tied bamboo structures, and admire the wisdom and handiwork of the ancestors who constructed this building 130 years ago!

Foreign guests who have stayed here commented: "I liked the smell and feel of the tatami mats." "I enjoyed relaxing in the huge, cypress-scented bathtub."

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

Support for Foreign Guests
Two English-speaking resident staff members on premises; Resident staff with translators also available

Attractions from Japan's Sengoku Period, such as Odani Castle, the former residence of Sengoku Daimyo Asai, and the former battleground of the Battle of Anegawa, are only 15 minutes away by car.

About 12 minutes away is Kurokabe Square, a tourist attraction featuring traditional buildings in the old Nagahama City area.

While it may be more convenient to rent a car, there is also public transportation that go to these destinations. Kurokabe Square is near JR Nagahama Station, from which you can also get to the Anegawa Battlefield. Odani Castle is 15 minutes away by rental cycle from Kawake Station, which is one station north of Torahime Station.

When you think about lakeside vacations and visiting islands, you probably imagine some far-off place. But Awaji Island and Lake Biwa are just a stone's throw away from Osaka!

Check out any of the vacation rentals introduced here today, and enjoy the feeling of staying at a resort. Long-term stays are also recommended - you might even feel like you're on a remote island!

*Information at time of writing as of July 2021. Please see official website for latest information.