We left Kyoto Station before 10:00 a.m. and arrived at Kata Station on the JR Kosai Line. We took a free shuttle bus for about 15 minutes, arriving at the Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel at about 10:30 a.m.

Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel is right in front of Lake Biwa. The waterside scenery, which is not found in Kyoto City, soothes us.

The lobby has a chic atmosphere unified by glazed colors. The interior also follows the nature of Lake Biwa, with floor patterns reminiscent of sandy beaches and stained glass windows with wave motifs.

The Digital Star Dome Hotaru, a planetarium attached to the hotel, offers two to five programs daily. A variety of programs are available depending on the season, such as those narrated by popular actors or in collaboration with music by famous singers.

It has been a long time since we have visited a planetarium or gazed at the stars. We hope to bring back our lives, which are often neglected due to our busy schedules, here.

The planetarium is equipped with "Media GlobeΣ," a video system with a 4K projector and high-performance lenses, so you can experience another dimension clearly and realistically. I was amazed by the latest technology, which makes the audience feel as if they are flying in the sky.

In fact, what I was looking forward to the most that day was afternoon tea at "Grill & Dining G" on the 12th floor. The open space with light streaming in from Lake Biwa was a great place to relax.

The afternoon tea menu, themed on the four seasons, is updated every three months, and until November 30, it will feature a variety of beautiful-looking sweets that make use of autumn fruits such as figs, chestnuts, and apples, with a focus on ingredients produced in Shiga Prefecture. The chef says, "I wanted to create something original that was not the orthodox three-tiered arrangement. He even made the wooden plates himself.

In addition to "Cheese Tart with Sake Lees" and "Potage of Shiga Prefecture Sweet Potato and Amazake, Anchovy Melba," which use fermented foods traditionally popular in Shiga Prefecture, the menu is guilt-free because it incorporates nutrient-rich ingredients such as bilberry and cereal rice. You can enjoy your meal without worrying about beauty, as many of the menu items are designed with beauty in mind.

The free-flowing (all-you-can-drink) tea is made by Mighty Leaf, a tea brand born in San Francisco. You can choose your favorite flavor from the tea leaves prepared on the table, and it will be brought to you in a pot. As I was enjoying the tea with the carefully crafted sweets, I realized that the time limit had quickly passed.

The afternoon tea menu is always elaborately staged and presented, but the Christmas menu (December 1 to 25) is a "must-try" item. The Christmas special menu (December 1 to 25) is a "must-try" item! The Christmas special menu (December 1 to 25) is "a masterpiece that we hope you will enjoy!" The menu features sweets and savories such as stollen and star-shaped pâte de fruit in a bowl that resembles a tree, which will bring out the Christmas spirit.

As I was filling up on afternoon tea, I got information about the hotel's first Christmas cake available for reservation. The cake I was specially shown was the beautiful "Christmas Planet" 3,000 yen (tax not included) with a mirror glasage that creates a starry night sky. It was inspired by the facility's planetarium.

Another item is the "Fresh Cream Decoration" for 3,000 yen (tax not included), which uses Kusatsu's new brand of strawberries, "honey strawberries," which have a balance of rich sweetness and refreshing sourness. The moist and flavorful sponge made with "Sakura Eggs" from Shiga Prefecture is a perfect match for the high sugar content of the "honey strawberries. I look forward to coming back again at Christmas!

With the mood for outings gradually rising, we were wondering where to go when we found this half-day outing course at the Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel. The sense of freedom that we could get within an hour from Kyoto city quickly restored our hearts, which had been exhausted by the mood of self-restraint. By spending a compact time only in the hotel, we were able to use our time effectively and feel full of fulfillment.

This time we planned to spend a relatively leisurely day, but we would definitely like to participate in the "petit biwaichi," in which Giant sports bikes, loved by serious cyclists, offer the best course according to your physical fitness and wishes. I would definitely like to participate in the "Petit Bi-Wai Chi" tour, which is not only a half-day tour, but also includes an overnight stay at a hotel!

planetarium (planetarium)
950 yen (tax included) *Check the official website for screening times.

Afternoon tea
13:00-15:00 3,200 yen (10% service charge, tax not included) *Reservations required by 17:00 the day before.

Christmas Cake Reservations
Up to one day before the date of receipt

Pickup period] Saturday, December 19 - Friday, December 25, 11:30 - 20:00
Pickup location] "Grill & Dining G" on the 12th floor