Location: Otsu
Top Things to do in Otsu
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Otsu, Japan
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. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honor Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Reviewed By BringBackBuck8 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I visited here, arriving around midday. Perhaps that was my mistake, as it was rammed with people. I’m sure the orange shrine gated walkways would be breathtaking, but it’s not when you’re shuffling along like an arthritic centipede and coming to a standstill every 20 seconds for a Japanese lady to take a selfie.
My advice would be to come very early or very late, avoid the crowds.
2. Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
Reviewed By SWPanting - Toronto, Canada
I mistook it as just an ordinary monastery like the other and arrived too late for the first time around 4pm. Discovering that Hieizan, a World Cultural Heritage Site since 1994, consists actually of different zones of visiting places covering a whole mountain I decided to visit a second time early in the morning and spent a few hours there.
There are two toll gates to get into the area of Hieizan, Ogi gate in the North and Tanotani Toge Gate in the South. Also you can get on a cable car from Sakamoto which sets off for a 11-minute sight-viewing trip up-hill till you arrive where the major section of Enryaku-ji Temple locates. It's a good idea if you want to avoid a prolonged winding drive especially from the South gate.
The major worship Hall, Konpon Chu-do, situates at the central stupa area (out of the 3 stupa areas) and is a National Treasure and the highlight of the visit. The stunningly serene and massive wooden architecture was established by the patriarch Dengyo Daishi in which a statue of Buddha was said to have been crafted by the Buddhist master himself. The lamp offered to the shrine is name "Everlasting Dharma Light" because it has been burning since the time of the Master, 1200 years ago.
There are about 4-5 sites just for the Central stupa area which you can stroll around under luxuriant greens, sit indoor and meditate, imagine the past master monks' inspiring activities, and take photos with the mountainous backdrop for about an hour. You can decide whether you want to continue to the East Stupa area on foot, or the further Yokawa area with more astounding monastic architectures and treasures about 4 km from the East Stupa area.
There are other scenic spots along the winding road uphill where you can have a good view of the panoramic view of Kyoto, and in earlier Spring Hieizan is definitely a romantic location for sakura appreciation. This is the only place I can still see peach blossoms covering some entire trees in May. And on the submit there is a small garden with more artificial colourful blooms, with an extra fee of about 1000 yen per person.
For the distance between visiting areas, it's better to drive there. The fee for a sedan is 1500-2500 yen, to be paid when you exit. Entrance fees for Enryaku-ji Temple and its treasure museum are separately collected.
3. Ishiyamadera Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By Gemma'smum - California
Ishiyamadera has always been one of my favorite temple complexes. The Gardens are wonderful and the tues to Basho and Murasaki Shikibu add to the experience. In autumn the color and Gardens are especially beautiful and add to the experience. Be sure to explore away from main buildings and buy the 1200 yen ticket at the front gate to see everything.
4. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
This most-visited temple in Kyoto was built to honor Kannon, the goddess of mercy. It's beautiful hillside location offers spectacular views of the city and valley below.
Reviewed By Sufen K
In order to reach the temple, from Kyoto station have to take a locate bus and then walk about 20-25 mins uphill. Its nice as along the street has the old town feel, lucky we visited in winter hence not that hot. It is best to wear your most comfortable shoes unless you want to try out the Kimono which along the way a lot of shop would have special offer.The bus to and fro Kyoto can be quite pack in the peak hours, suggest to go earlier to avoid the noon crowd.
5. Onjo-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By everylittlebreeze - billingham Cleveland
as beautiful and historic as anything kyoto has to offer but without the crowds. we visited on a monday and had the place pretty much to our selves. huge complex of ancient temple buildings set in beautiful woodland with great views of biwa. profoundly beautiful and restorative to the soul.
6. Hiyoshi Taisha
Overall Ratings
4 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By biwakocat - Otsu, Japan
Every April 12th, rain or shine, the local faithful gather for this festival. In the evening, two massive palanquins (& flanked by torch-bearers) are carried by dozens of men from the top of the mountain to inside the shrine. Get there early for the best view. Stay out of the way because it can be dangerous. I think it's one of the few festivals where "mikoshi" are carried at night.
7. Ran Theatre Kyoto
Overall Ratings
5 based on 170 reviews
The concept of RAN is to have a fun filled night with traditional music and local sake and beer. Here you can see all the famous traditional musicians under one roof. We invited musicians from all over Japan to come to Kyoto, the centre of Japanese traditional culture to entertain you with this exciting performance. There is a mix of classic songs and songs adapted from pop culture. We invite you to enjoy a few drinks from our selection of local sake and beer while you enjoy the show. We also ask you to join in on the fun by clapping along, waving your arms side to side and maybe even joining the band!
Reviewed By Frau88 - Alamogordo, New Mexico
We enjoyed an evening show here; it was an interactive music concert by Japanese musicians on traditional instruments. Drinks were included which were very refreshing, but we didn’t eat any food here since we ate dinner beforehand. Overall it was a fun experience but I was just a bit surprised that there weren’t more people in the audience (we were about 10 all together).
8. Eikando Zenrinji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Amy B - London, United Kingdom
This temple with Gardens is simply stunning. There are lots of beautiful little statues and view points to look out over. I'd love to go in Autumn, where the colours of the leaves are said to be second to none!
9. Sanjusangendo Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Originally named Rengeoin Temple, this site has taken on the name of the great hall within which houses 1001 life-sized, wooden statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
Reviewed By Peeter P - Toronto, Canada
This was our last temple in a temple-filled trip to Japan, yet it certainly rated as a must see. Even on a rainy day, this temple has some pluses. First, much of the outside can be viewed under a roof. Second, the inside of the temple is absolutely fascinating with a very large Buddha surrounded on both sides by 1001 cannons. This apparently is the largest wooden structure in the world, which adds to the attraction. The grounds had some very nice sakura in bloom in mid-March, an added bonus. This really is a must see. Well worth the admission of 600 yen per adult.
10. Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Created as an imperial summer retreat, the garden complex is a fine example of Japanese landscape design.
Reviewed By H S G - Macon, Georgia, United States
This Imperial Detached Villa has three separate Gardens separated by cultivated fields of vegetables and grains. The paths are paved or stone walkways with quite a number of steps which would present significant difficulties for visitors with ambulatory limitations. The views of Kyoto below over the extensive pond features are magnificent. All tours have two guides to carefully monitor the visitors and the tours are in Japanese. English audio guides are available and are essential for those who do not understand Japanese.
The number of visitors is limited to about five tours each day. Application for the tickets must be made AT THE BEGINNING DAY OF THE MONTH in which the 90th day before the desired day of visitation by submitting an application online. Letters, faxes, or phone calls will not be accepted to request tickets and the tickets will have to be picked up at the Imperial Household Agency at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto or Tokyo by the person with their passport in hand. If you are not there at the appointed time or just 5 minutes late, do not expect to be admitted. Tickets are especially difficult to obtain in April because it is the time for the cherry blossom viewing.
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