Otsu
Ōtsu (大津) is the capital of Shiga prefecture.
Enryaku-ji, a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei overlooking Kyoto, is the headquarters of the Tendai sect and one of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)".
Understand
[edit]Tourist information site
[edit]The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The closest major airports to Ōtsu are Kansai Airport and Itami Airport in Osaka.
From Kansai Airport (KIX IATA), take the JR Haruka Limited Express to Kyoto and change to a local train to Ōtsu (approx. 1 hr 45 min, ¥3130 for unreserved seats).
From Itami Airport (ITM IATA), take an airport limousine bus to Shin-Osaka (25 min, ¥500) then take a JR train to Ōtsu (35 min, ¥840). Alternatively, take a bus to Kyoto (1 hr, ¥1310) then a JR train to Ōtsu (10 min, ¥200).
You can change elsewhere for the Keihan trams (see below).
By train
[edit]The JR Biwako Line runs from Osaka and Kyoto to Ōtsu station.
A convenient alternative to travel around the area is on the two Keihan tram lines: the Keishin Line and the Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line. Both lines converge at Biwako-Hamaōtsu (びわ湖浜大津), close to Lake Biwa. You can change between the JR and Keihan lines at three stations: Yamashina, Zeze and Ishiyama. Yamashina is just one stop from Kyoto Station on the JR.
By subway
[edit]Kyoto's Tōzai Line subway conveniently runs through to the Keihan Keishin Line from stations in central Kyoto. This is also a convenient option if connecting from the Keihan Main Line at Sanjō station.
Get around
[edit]
By train
[edit]Travelling around Otsu by train is quite convenient. The Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line connects each end of the city, so no matter where you are, there will likely be a station nearby.
See
[edit]
- 1 Enryakuji Temple (延暦寺), ☏ +81 77-578-0001. The head temple of Tendai Buddhism and a World Heritage Site located atop Mount Hiei.
- 2 Gichu-ji Temple
- 3 Ishiyama-dera
- 4 Miidera Temple
- 5 Hiyoshi Taisha
- 6 Takebe Shrine
- 7 Omi Jingu
Do
[edit]- Michigan Cruise (ミシガンクルーズ). A cruise of Lake Biwa with on-board entertainment and food. They offer 60 minute, 80 minute and night cruises, each with their own prices. Boat leaves from Otsu Port. The ship's name comes from the American state of Michigan because Otsu has a sister-city relationship with the state's capital, Lansing.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Kanekichi (かね吉). Local Omi beef specialist.
- 2 Matsukiya (松喜屋), 14-17 Karahashicho, ☏ +81 77-534-2901, fax: +81 77-537-6201. Lunch: 11:30-14:00, closed at 15:00; dinner: 17:00-20:30, closed at 22:00. Local Omi beef specialist.
- Kaneyo (かねよ), 23-51 Otani, ☏ +81 77-524-2222, [email protected]. Unagi restaurant.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Ogoto onsen hotspring (English information)
- 1 Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel (びわ湖大津プリンスホテル). A lakeside hotel with nice views of Lake Biwa. Singles from ¥8300.
- 2 Apa Hotel Biwako (アパホテル びわ湖) (Near Seta Station). A decent, fairly affordable hotel. Singles from ¥4700.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Otsu |
| Osaka ← Kyoto ← | W  E |
→ Kusatsu → Nagoya |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Misasagi → into  → Karasuma Oike |
| Osaka ← Kyoto ← | W  E |
→ Kusatsu → Nagoya |