Travel / Tourism Spots in Otsu Area

Area

Shiga
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Otsu

Category

Travel / Tourism

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

4.0

191 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Sakamoto 5-1-1

A Shinto shrine located in Sakamoto, Otsu City. The shrine was founded some 2,100 years ago. The shrine is also the head shrine of all 3,800 Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno shrines in Japan. Positioned in the unlucky direction northeast of the ancient capital of Heian-kyo, the shrine is believed to provide protection from misfortune and disaster and even today worshippers come here to receive these benefits. 3,000 maple trees grow on the shrine’s grounds, making it a renowned destination for autumn foliage in the fall as well.

This shrine locates at the foot of the mountain which accommodates the Enryakuji. We stopped by on our way and find it very relaxing but sorry to say that the Enryakuji overwhelmed us. But I was...
Omi Jingu Shrine

4.0

165 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Jinguchou 1-1

A Shinto shrine located in Jingu-cho, Otsu City. The shrine was established in 1940. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji, who implemented various policies and reforms, and accordingly the shrine is believed to grant worshippers better fortunes and guidance; because of the shrine’s large “rokoku” water clock, time is also believed to fall under the shrine’s domain. A poem by Emperor Tenji appears as the first entry in the ancient “Ogura Anthology of 100 Tanka by 100 Poets,” and in turn the shrine is also viewed as a mecca for players of the Japanese game karuta—a card game which involves hearing the first half of a poem and racing to find the correct card inscribed with the second half; a “Karuta Opening Ceremony” is held at the shrine and a national karuta competition is also held here.

Few people know but otsu Kyo was a capital very short period. Recently because of manga / TV movie , Japanese card game what we called karuta is getting popular among youth. Now youth have...
Ukimido

4.0

126 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Honkatata 1-16-18

A temple building located on the grounds of the Mangetsu-ji Buddhist temple in Honkatata, Otsu City. The temple building was built on the waters of Lake Biwa by the priest Genshin in the Heian period to pray for safety on the lake as well as the salvation of the masses. The current building is a reconstruction erected in 1937. The temple building is also known for being depicted in one of the traditional picturesque “Eight Views of Omi”—in this case, the view titled “Geese Alighting at Katata.”

Nice view, nice area, but not worth paying an entrance fee for. Could get a photo through the fence to the side.
Lake Biwa Cruise Michigan

4.0

104 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Hamaotsu 5-1-1

A pleasure cruise ship which operates out of Otsu Port in Hamaotsu, Otsu City. The cruise began operating in 1982. The ship is modeled after an American Mississippi riverboat; inside, touches like chandeliers and luxurious carpets engender an atmosphere that is out of the ordinary. The ship has two restaurants, a bar, VIP room, and sky deck offering sweeping views of Lake Biwa. The ship offers three types of cruises as well as seasonal event cruises. The ship can also be rented out and using for weddings and other special events.

We happened upon this paddle boat cruise so decided to take it. Being from the US, the idea of cruising on a paddle boat named Michigan would be novel. The cruise took 80 minutes, cost 2780 yen...
Roadside Station Imoko no Sato

3.5

51 Reviews

Transportation

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Waninaka 528

A roadside station situated along the Biwako-Nishi Jukan Expressway in Waninaka, Otsu City. The station sells local vegetables, processed goods, sweets, breads, souvenirs, and more. The station’s restaurant buys A5 grade Omi beef by the head, enabling it to serve top quality Omi beef sukiyaki and steaks at reasonable prices. There’s also a convenience store open 24 hours.

湖西道路”わにIC”隣接する道の駅。規模は小さいですが特産品販売、レストラン、コンビニなど充実、キッチンカーも出店しており連休中で混雑していました。
Takebe Taisha Shrine

4.5

66 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Jinryou 1-16-1

A Shinto shrine located in Jinryo, Otsu City. The shrine is one of the oldest in the country dedicated to Yamato Takeru no mikoto, god of scholarship, and some even call it the “most important shrine in Omi.” After Minamoto no Yoritomo, who later became shogun, prayed here for the restoration of the Minamoto clan, the shrine came to be known for blessing worshippers with fortune in war among samurai warriors.

京阪石坂線の唐橋前から徒歩で、「急がば回れ」のことわざ語源の瀬田の唐橋を徒歩で渡り約15分です。滋賀に近江富士「三上山を七巻きした大蛇を俵の藤太がここから弓で退治した伝説がある
Biwako Otsu

4.0

65 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Otsu-shi Yanagasaki 5-35

Beautiful old building with English gardens around and good view on Lake Biwa, especially from the restaurant. They have a nice souvenir shop with all kinds of rose products and others.
Enryakuji

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Sakamotohonmachi 4220

The temple is the head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, founded by Saicho, and is located at the foot of Mt. Hiei.
Iwamasan Shohoji Temple (Iwama-dera Temple)

3.5

36 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Ishiyamauchihatachou 82

A Buddhist temple located in Ishiyamauchihata-cho, Otsu City. The temple was founded in 722 by Empress Gensho. The 12th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, since ancient times this temple, along with Kumano and Yoshino, has been counted as one of the three most sacred places in Japan. The temple’s principal object of worship, a 1,000 armed figure of Kannon, is known by many names, including the “Sweating Kannon,” the “Daftness-Preventing Kannon,” and the “Lightening Protection Kannon.” There is also a pond located on the grounds known as “Basho’s Pond” because it is said that the celebrated ancient haiku poet Matsuo Basho composed his “Frog Poem,” one of his most famous, here.

無料シャトルバスが運行しない日だった為、車で参拝しました。週末であっても普段の参拝者は少ないようで、西国三十三ヶ所巡りと思われる参拝者が時々訪れる程度となっていました。
Biwako Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Shiga

4.0

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Otsu-shi Uchidehama 15-1

"This is a Shiga Prefectural theater specializing in the performing arts. In addition to the main hall with the largest class four-sided stage in western Japan, there is also a medium hall for stage drama and a small hall for smaller indoor concerts. Placed in a beautiful location on Lake Biwa, the theater is praised highly by international artists coming to perform in Japan. The hall has been selected as one of the ""hundred best halls"" in Japan by the Sound Engineers & Artists Society of Japan. A variety of performances, predominantly opera, ballet and classical concerts, are regularly held."

子供のチアダンスの発表会で訪問しました。開演前に各フロア回りましたが、4階は傾斜もあり、舞台からも遠いので、イマイチかと思います。待合からすぐ近くに琵琶湖も眺めること出来ました。
Gichuji Temple

4.0

34 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Bamba 1-5-12

A Buddhist temple located in 1 Chome Bamba, Otsu City. The name of the temple is derived from an alternate reading of the characters used to write the name of the ancient general Kiso Yoshinaka, who is buried here. The temple is also famous as the location of the grave of the renowned haiku poet Matsuo Basho, and there are monuments inscribed with his poems on the grounds as well as exhibits on the artist. The entire grounds have been designated a National Historic Site.

JRの膳所駅から少し歩いた旧東海道沿いに、木曽義仲と松尾芭蕉の墓がある。義仲は平家追討のため、京都まで快進撃したが、味方であるはずの頼朝に疎まれてこの辺りで戦死したらしい。芭蕉は義仲を慕っていて、遺言で義仲の墓の側に葬ってもらうように言い残した。
Ishiyama-dera Temple

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Ishiyamadera 1-1-1

This is a temple of the To-ji Temple Shingon sect which is located in Otsu City. It was founded in 747 at the request of Emperor Shomu. It is known as one of the most famous Kannon temples in Japan, also being the stamp office for temple number 13 of the Saigoku Sanjusansho Kannon Pilgrimage. In addition, it is said that this was the place where Murasaki Shikibu got her inspiration for the idea of the Tale of Genji, and it also appears in literary works such as “Makura no Soshi” (the Pillow Book) and “Sarashina Nikki” (The Sarashina Diary). In the temple, there are many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties such as the oldest Taho-to (a pagoda that enshrines the Buddha) and the oldest main temple building in Japan, so there is no shortage of highlights. It is also a famous place for its autumnal leaves and the illumination in the evening is worth seeing.
Otsumatsuri Exhibition Pavilion

4.0

41 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Chuou 1-2-27

"The Otsumatsuri Exhibition Pavilion is located around five minutes' drive from the Otsu Interchange on the Meishin Expressway. The exhibits displayed in the Pavilion include artifacts and materials relating to the Otsu Matsuri (Otsu Festival), which is held in Otsu City, to the southwest of Lake Biwa, and which has been designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, as well as life-size replicas of the Hikiyama floats used in the festival. The emphasis in the displays within the Pavilion is on ""enabling visitors to experience the fun and excitement of the Otsu Matsuri,"" and visitors can view video footage of the actual festival. The ""Ohayashi Experience"" area, in which visitors can try their hand at playing ohayashi festival music using such traditional instruments as gongs and Taiko big drums and so on, is very popular with children."

無料で見られる大津祭の展示館です。大津祭の写真や山車なども館内に有りました。写真から祭りの熱気も感じられます。スタッフの方も親切ですよ。尚館内は撮影OKです。
Onjo-ji (Mii-dera) Temple

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Onjoujichou 246

The Onjo-ji Temple is the head temple of the Tendaijimon Buddhist sect and is located in Otsu City. The temple is also known as one of the “Omi Hakkei” (Best 8 scenic spots in Omi) (Mii-no-Bansho lit. the temple’s evening bell). In the main temple structure which is a National Treasure, the principal image of Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya Bodhisattva) is said to be enshrined, but since it is unconditionally a Buddhist image withheld from public view, it is not made public. Kannondo and Shakado, the stamp office for temple number 14 of Saigoku Sanjusansho Kannon Pilgrimage stand lined up within the temple, which possesses a great many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. It is also a well-known spot for its autumnal leaves.
Otsu City Museum of History

3.5

21 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Goryouchou 2-2

A museum located in Goryo-cho, Otsu City. The museum’s collection spans 82,000 items relating to the history and culture of Shiga and Omi, eight of which have been designated Important Cultural Properties. The museum has a standing exhibit which includes a model showing what the ancient capital of Otsu no Miya once looked like, displays covering the eight picturesque sights of Omi, and a chronology of the history of Omi City; the museum also holds special exhibits on themes such as Buddhist culture.

京阪の大津市役所前駅から徒歩5分ほど。 1990年開館。入館料は330円。京阪電車の「びわ湖1日観光チケット」などを提示すると260円(団体料金)に割引となる。展示室は1階と2階にあり、大津の歴史・文化・産業について実物資料、ジオラマ・模型などを展示するとともにパネル解説が行われている。建物は山の中腹にあるため、エントランスや2階からは遠く琵琶湖を望むことができる。
Lake Biwa Ohashi Toll Road

Travel / Tourism

Shiga prefecture Otsu city/Moriyama city

A toll bridge connecting Imakatata, Otsu City and Imahama-cho, Moriyama City. Opened in 1964, the 1.4-kilometer-long bridge, connecting the east and west shores of Lake Biwa, has come to play a key role in transportation in the prefecture. Lanes for bicycles and walkers were added in 1980.
Sekisemimaru-jinja Shrine Shimosha

3.5

19 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Ousaka 1-15-6

A Shinto shrine located in Osaka, Otsu City. The shrine is one of three Sekisemimaru shrines in the city. The Shimosha, or lower shrine, is dedicated to Toyotama-hime-no-mikoto, who is enshrined here alongside the famous Heian period biwa lute player Semimaru. The shrine is seen as a patron shrine to musical performance and is also thought to heal worshippers with eye diseases based on a story about Semimaru, once blind, regaining his eyesight.

折角のクラウドファンディングで修復のための支援金を集めてみたものの、見込みの甘さと計画の杜撰さ、予想以上の崩壊状態と云う要因が相まって、修復に手を付けることさえ出来ていないと云う事態を招いた。何をしているんでしょうね？政府のオリンピックや万博の計画じゃあるまいし・・・いい加減なこと、この上ない。結果的にまたまた、クラウドファンディングによる支援を募ることとなっている。それも前回集まった７００万円を...
The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga

3.5

16 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Setaminamiogayachou 1740-1

An art museum located in Biwako Culture Park in Setaminamiogaya-cho, Otsu City. The museum’s collection and standing exhibition consists of modern Nihonga Japanese paintings, works of art by Nihonga painter Yuki Ogura and other artists connected to the local area, and other works of post-WWII American and Japanese modern art. The museum also holds permanent exhibitions and workshops and rents out exhibition spaces to city residents.

スタイリッシュでオシャレな空間が広がります。せっかくの環境なのに、来館者が少ないですね。ポイント毎に女性スタッフが立っておられるのが多過ぎに感じてしまうほど。カフェやショップも楽しみの一つだったのですが、少々期待はずれ。滋賀のこだわりの品が並ぶというものの、見せ方、演出の仕方がどうなのかな？という感じ。何よりショップが箱でなくオープンスペースなのが落ち着きませんでした。また、名前まで...
Katsuragawa Sokusho Myooin

4.5

11 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Katsuragawaboumurachou 155

A Buddhist temple located in Katsuragawa Bomura-cho, Otsu City. The temple was built as a dojo on the Kaihogyo pilgrimage route by the head priest of the Enryakuji Temple in the Heian period. A ritual taiko drum performance and dance called the Taiko Mawashi is held at the temple for pilgrims walking the route on Mt. Hiei each year on July 18.

鯖街道をドライブ中にたまたま見つけた紅葉の名所です。明王谷にかかる三宝橋の辺りの紅葉は見応えがあり、隠れた穴場ですね。
Enryakuji Temple (Hokke Sojiin Todo Hall)

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Otsu-shi Sakamotohonmachi 4220

A Buddhist temple located in Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu City. This temple makes up one of the three sections of the Enryakuji Temple, the head temple of Tendai Buddhism. Located on the land where the great monk Saicho founded the Enryakuji in 788, the grounds encompass various important structures centering on the Konpon Chudo, the overarching main temple and a designated National Treasure.

Shiga Otsu

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour Factory / Workshop Sightseeing Spot Experience / Training / Vehicle Nature Travel / Tourism Information Rental Car / Bicycle / Motorcycle Souvenirs Rest Spot Other Sightseeing

Shiga Areas

Visitors to Shiga prefecture are almost always hopping east across the prefectural border from Kyoto, and they are almost certainly Lake Biwa-bound. Covering an area of 670 square kilometers, Lake Biwa makes up the bulk of Shiga prefecture, with beautiful lakeside paths that offer myriad walking and cycling opportunities, connecting a string of museums, shrines, and picturesque views that finally lead you to Hikone Castle on the eastern side of the lake.