🍜 Bira Sanso比良山荘

Bira Sanso opened in 1959 and is a mountain lodge located in front of the mountain gate of Hieizan's Oku no In, Myououin, and Jishu Shrine. Guests can enjoy a meal made from locally sourced ingredients from the surrounding areas, such as the Hira Mountains and Lake Biwa, in an elegant space that beautifully showcases Japanese architecture. The menu changes with the seasons, emphasizing the use of seasonal ingredients, such as wild vegetables and greens in spring, sweetfish in summer, and matsutake mushrooms in autumn, making it a beloved local establishment. One of the most favored dishes among locals is the bear meat from the Hira Mountains, which is a seasonal delicacy available only in winter. Bear meat is a rare mountain product that can only be harvested during the harsh winter; Bira Sanso uses meat from the Tsukikawa black bear, hunted by experienced hunters, ensuring it has no gamey taste. The texture of the bear meat tenderloin is refreshing and sweet, rich in collagen, making it particularly popular among women. The signature dish, the Tsuki Nabe, showcases the deliciousness of Tsukikawa bear meat and has won the hearts of many customers. The lodge also offers a selection of beverages that pair well with the dishes, including sake, shochu, whiskey, and beer, as well as the delightful combination of wine with Japanese cuisine. In their commitment to wine, the establishment even built a dedicated wine cellar. They primarily offer French wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, with over 50 different brands available. If you're unsure about what to choose, you can ask the staff for assistance. Additionally, there are local specialties available for purchase after dining, such as sweetfish sushi made with egg-bearing sweetfish and long-aged, fermented Omi rice, as well as sansho sweetfish simmered with fine sansho pepper.

Taste dishes made with seasonal ingredients such as wild vegetables, sweetfish, and matsutake mushrooms. The signature dish is a hot pot featuring bear meat from Mt. Hira. The space is filled with the beauty of Japanese architecture. Enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine paired with wine. There are also unique souvenirs from Shiga Prefecture available for sale.