The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Otsu, Kinki

May 19, 2021 Natalie Tallman

Ōtsu (大津市, Ōtsu-shi) is the capital city of Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Ōtsu is known as the main port of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. It briefly served as the capital of Japan from 667 to 672 AD during the Asuka period (538 – 710). The city is home to numerous sites of historical importance, notably the temples of Mii-dera, Ishiyama-dera, and Enryaku-ji and the Hiyoshi Taisha shrine. Enryaku-ji is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)". Ōtsu was incorporated as a city on October 1, 1898.
Restaurants in Otsu

1. Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple

4220 Sakamoto Hommachi, Otsu 520-0116 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-578-0001 http://www.hieizan.or.jp
Excellent
48%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 592 reviews

Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple

Reviewed By audreevisits - Canada, null

This is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism. The Enryaku hotel was, traditional Japanese style, very clean and comfortable- staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food breakfast and dinner was included and extraordinary! Beautiful views of the lake and distant mountains, some days we could see My Fuji in the distance. The Japanese baths were clean and hot. 7am we walked to the main temple to participate in the morning ceremonies. We hiked the mountain and visited the ancient temples, some original and hundreds of years old- learning the story of Zen Buddhism and how it came to be on this sacred mountain.Lots of local pilgrims making offerings and praying- so peaceful

2. Lake Biwa Sosui-no Sakura

Mideracho, Otsu 520-0034 Shiga Prefecture http://www.otsu.or.jp/event/archives/201
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Lake Biwa Sosui-no Sakura

3. Ishiyamadera Temple

1-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Otsu 520-0861 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-537-0013 http://www.ishiyamadera.or.jp/
Excellent
42%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 351 reviews

Ishiyamadera Temple

Ishiyamadera is a temple of the Buddhist sect Shingon, sitting on the bank of Seta River in the south end of Otsu city. It is one of the renowned temples of Kannon, the deity of compassion, in Japan. The Reverend Rouben founded this Temple in 747 CE to fulfill the pious wish of Emperor Shomu. In the Heian period this Temple was a famous place for the Kannon devotees. The Imperial as well as noble family members often visited this temple to worship Kannon, and it is popularly known as the ‘Ishiyama-moude’, pilgrimage to the Ishiyamadera Temple. Legend says that the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu confined herself at this temple for seven days, and observing the full moon of August 15, 1004 CE, she conceived the concept of writing the Tale of Genji.

Reviewed By Global_Traveller_Pat - Hong Kong, China

This place is more like a garden with lots of beautiful flowers than a temple. The environment is quiet and peaceful, not like other parks with too many tourists from other places. Be prepared to walk a bit uphill and downhill as the garden and the temple are built along the slopes. High recommended for a visit in spring time with the cherry blossoms and other flowers blooming.

4. Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)

246 Onjojicho, Otsu 520-0036 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-522-2238 http://www.shiga-miidera.or.jp/index.htm
Excellent
41%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 269 reviews

Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple)

Reviewed By gibot143

+ no crowds + rich history + they have peacocks + great views of lake biwa and otsu city + loved the grand canal on the way to this temple

5. Anyo Temple / Tachikikannon

1231 Okuyama Ishiyama Nangocho, Otsu 520-0865 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-537-0008 http://www.tachikikannon.or.jp/
Excellent
39%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Anyo Temple / Tachikikannon

6. Takebe Taisha Shrine

1-16-1 Jinryo, Otsu 520-2132 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-545-0038 http://takebetaisha.jp/
Excellent
42%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

Takebe Taisha Shrine

7. Enryaku-ji Yokawachudo

4225 Sakamotohommachi, Otsu 520-0116 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-578-0830 https://www.facebook.com/%E6%AF%94%E5%8F%A1%E5%B1%B1%E5%BB%B6%E6%9A%A6%E5%AF%BA-%E6%A8%AA%E5%B7%9D%E4%B8%AD%E5%A0%82-1555311794700884/
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Enryaku-ji Yokawachudo

8. Komponchudo

4220 Sakamoto Hommachi Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple, Otsu 520-0116 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-578-0001 https://www.hieizan.or.jp/keidai/toudou
Excellent
52%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Komponchudo

9. Biwako Terrace

1547-1 Kido, Otsu 520-0514 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-592-1155 http://www.biwako-valley.com/tips/biwako_terrace/
Excellent
55%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Biwako Terrace

10. Enryakuji Temple Amida Do

4220 Sakamotohommachi, Otsu 520-0116 Shiga Prefecture +81 77-578-0001 https://www.hieizan.or.jp/access
Excellent
24%
Good
65%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 34 reviews

Enryakuji Temple Amida Do

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