Otsu

Otsu sits beside Lake Biwa, where the lake breeze can be noticeable, so bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings. Otsu City is in Shiga Prefecture, on the shore of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. It is about 9 minutes by JR train from Kyoto. Compared with Kyoto, it has fewer visitors and a more relaxed pace, making it a good place for lakeside walks and visits to temples and shrines.

Transportation Guide

• From Kyoto: From Kyoto Station, take the JR Biwako Line toward Yasu. The Special Rapid train goes directly to Otsu Station in 2 stops, taking 9 minutes and costing about 200 yen.
• From Osaka: From Osaka Station, take the JR Kyoto Line to Otsu Station. The trip takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Getting around the city: Central Otsu is not large, and you can walk between sights or rent a bicycle. There are rental shops near the station, about 1,800 yen per day. For the Mount Hiei area, use the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line or buses.

Recommended Itinerary

• Day 1: Lakeside Walk and Historic Temple Visit
  • Morning: Take the JR train from Kyoto Station to Otsu Station, then walk to Miidera Temple (Onjoji Temple). You can visit the National Treasure Kondo Hall, try the temple’s distinctive “bell fortune slips,” and taste the local specialty Benkei Chikara Mochi.

• Afternoon: Walk through the streets to the shore of Lake Biwa. Stop at a lakeside park for birdwatching, or look for Pokémon manhole covers. In the evening, stay by the lake to enjoy the sunset.

• Evening: Return to the area around Otsu Station and end the first day with Omi beef sukiyaki or stone-grilled beef for dinner.
• Day 2: Foothills of Mount Hiei and Garden Strolls
  • Morning: Take the Keihan train to Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station, then walk to Former Chikurin-in Temple. It is known for its Japanese garden, has a quiet atmosphere, and is often regarded as a good place to enjoy garden scenery.

• Afternoon: Continue on foot or take a bus to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. See Japan’s oldest stone bridge and the uniquely shaped gassho-style torii gate, and experience the calm atmosphere of this ancient shrine. Along the way, you can try handmade soba noodles with a history of 300 years.

• Dusk: After returning to the city center, you can stop by the Heiwado supermarket to buy Lake Biwa local limited-edition milk and souvenirs.

Main Attractions

Otsu’s highlights are its historic temples, shrines, and lakeside scenery. It is well suited to travelers who prefer a quiet atmosphere and cultural experiences.

• Miidera Temple: A Tendai Buddhist temple. Its “Evening Bell of Miidera” is one of the Eight Views of Omi. From higher points in the temple grounds, you can look out over Lake Biwa, and in autumn the maple leaves create scenic walking paths.
• Former Chikurin-in Temple: A nationally designated scenic garden. It uses the natural terrain to create waterfalls and small hills, with moss, clear streams, and the garden setting complementing one another. Each season has its own scenery. Admission is 330 yen.
• Ishiyamadera Temple: It is said that Murasaki Shikibu wrote *The Tale of Genji* here. The main hall is the oldest wooden building in Shiga, and you can pay respects to the Eleven-Faced Kannon. Lanterns and tall trees line the way.
• Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine: A National Treasure-level shrine said to have been founded 2,100 years ago. The grounds include Japan’s oldest stone bridge, and the sacred monkey amulets and cartoon-style pamphlets are also distinctive.
• Biwako Valley: Good to visit in spring, summer, and autumn. You can take a three-stage ropeway up the mountain. At the top are open grassy areas and views over Lake Biwa, with scenery reminiscent of Austria’s Alpine region.

Food and Restaurant Recommendations

Otsu is an important production area for Omi beef, and it also has many small restaurants with a local, everyday feel.

• Omi Beef Specialty Restaurant Kadoman: A century-old Omi beef restaurant specializing in 5A-grade Omi wagyu. You can choose a stone-grilled set or a sukiyaki set. The beef is tender, and dipping it in beaten egg gives it a softer texture.
• Niku Shokudo Saigo ni Katsu: A popular local pork rice restaurant. Common choices include meat curry and nanban rice. The thick-cut pork cutlet is juicy, the curry is rich in flavor, and the average cost is around 1,200 yen per person.
• Nagisa Warms: A café in a lakeside park. The open setting makes it a good place to drink coffee by the lake, enjoy the view, and take a relaxed break.
• Teuchi Soba Tsuruki: Located on the way to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, this handmade soba shop has a 300-year history. The interior has an old-fashioned feel, and the flavors are light and fresh.
• Totoya Ichi: A warm, old-style family restaurant specializing in pufferfish dishes. The pufferfish hot pot has firm, springy meat and a fragrant, clear broth.