How close is Otsu to Kyoto?

Very close. JR trains link Otsu and Kyoto in about 10 minutes, so it makes an easy half-day trip or a quieter, often cheaper, base for exploring the wider Kyoto area.

Enryaku-ji is the sprawling head temple of the Tendai school, spread across the forested summit of Mount Hiei above Otsu and Kyoto. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is reached by ropeway, cable car or a hiking trail.

What can you do on Lake Biwa from Otsu?

Sightseeing boats, including the large Michigan paddle steamer, depart from Otsu port, and the lakeshore has parks, the Biwako Otsukan and seasonal cherry blossom along the Kizugawa and canal banks.

Why is Ishiyama-dera famous?

Tradition holds that Murasaki Shikibu began writing the Tale of Genji at Ishiyama-dera while watching the moon over Lake Biwa. The hillside temple is also a noted spot for autumn leaves and plum blossom.

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Otsu

Shiga · kansai

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The capital of Shiga on the shore of Lake Biwa, with ancient temples, Mount Hiei's monasteries and lake cruises minutes from Kyoto.

Who Otsu is for

Travellers basing in Kyoto who want lake scenery and major temples without the crowds, plus history and hiking fans.

About Otsu

Otsu lines the southern end of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, and was briefly an imperial capital in the seventh century. Its temples are heavyweight: Mii-dera above the lake, Ishiyama-dera where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have begun the Tale of Genji, and the vast Enryaku-ji complex atop Mount Hiei on the city's western ridge. Lake cruises and the Biwako Otsukan add a gentler side.

Things to do

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Fushimi Inari Taisha
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Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 A.D. featuring a path with hundreds of traditional gates.
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Kiyomizu-dera
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Iconic Buddhist temple on Mount Otowa known for the scenic views afforded from its sizable veranda.
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Nishiki Market
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400-year-old iconic market studded with stalls offering all manner of Japanese edibles.
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Yasaka Shrine
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This Shinto shrine was erected in 656 A.D. & is home to one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
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SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto
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Small museum with Edo-period armor & sword displays & family-friendly instruction in warrior skills.
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GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu Kyoto Ekimae
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Frequently Asked Questions

Otsu

About Otsu

Things to do

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kiyomizu-dera

Nishiki Market

Yasaka Shrine

SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto

GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu Kyoto Ekimae

Frequently Asked Questions

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