2024 Otsu Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

Largest Freshwater Lake in Japan

I made a visit to the largest freshwater lake in Japan - Biwako (Lake Biwa). It is located near Kyoto. You may plan a visit to Biwako if you are visiting Kyoto. The weather was too cold so I didn't take a walk by the Lake. I went up to the Biwako valley ski resort area, the view up there is stunning. Biwako is so huge you are unable to see the whole Lake even on high grounds. If you are not planning to ski, I suggest visiting Biwako during spring, summer or autumn, while the weather is not too cold. #biwako #biwakovalley #osaka

I was surprised 😭❤️ that There are such a beautiful/relaxing place like this here in SHIGA-KEN. weather still cold ✨🌬 📍#biwakovalley / #thebiwakoterrace Easily accessible in just 40 minutes from Kyoto and 1 hour from Osaka One of the best places in Japan that can be enjoyed all year round Approx. 5 minutes to the top of the mountain by Japan’s famous fastest ropeway Visitors will reach an altitude of 1,100m in around 5 minutes from the base of the mountain in Japan’s fastest ropeway. The 360-degree glass cabin provides a stunning panoramic view of Lake Biwa, Kyoto and even the Osaka cityscape.❤️❤️‍🔥 #summervacation#hikingtrails

Looking for a place to relax and unwind? Head on to Biwako Valley! Relax and enjoying the breathtaking view on top of the mountain while eating ice cream or drinking coffee it is a perfect place. Nature view at it's best. We went there in July. It was a beautiful sunny and cloudy day. One of the best place that I have ever visited. #givethanks

Recommended destinations for people in Kyoto near the city: Otsu Otsu City is the location of Shiga Prefecture, Japan, and the central city of Honshu, Japan, is the main destination of the Keihan, Zhongjing and Hokuriku economic circles. The economic port city of the Shogunate era. In 1880, the Otsu-Kyoto Railway was opened to traffic. Established in 1898. The Omi Jingu Shrine, the ancient temple and the Penghu Scenic Area are tourist attractions. Transportation: Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Take the JR Tokaido Main Line from Kyoto Station to Otsu Station for about 9 minutes. Take the JR Tokaido Main Line and get off from Shin-Osaka Station to Otsu Station for about 40 minutes.

There is a Mitsui Temple near Otsu (now officially known as "Chang et al.") is one of the four major Buddhist temples in Japan. Built in the 7th century, after several years of battle, it has also suffered many wars but has been revived, so there is also the name of the Temple of the Dead Bird! In the temple, there is the "Mitsui Night Clock" of the Eight Rivers in the vicinity of the river. It is the bell of the Nara era. The scars and cracks on the Vatican clock are traces of history. There are 1,300 cherry blossoms in the temple. Every April, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Like a fairyland. The highest point of the Mitsui-ji Temple, Kannon-ji Temple, is located at the Observatory. It can see the streetscape of Otsu City, and the distance is Lake Biwa.

To reach the top of the Yanli Temple, you need to take the cable car of the Biru Mountain. The Sakamoto Cable Car Station was built in the 2nd year of the Showa era. The station itself completely preserves the European architectural style of the Taisho era and enters the cable car station. There is an inexplicable feeling of crossing! It is arranged like a green leather train station in the past. Even the rest seats are green. Is it a retro style? This is also a heart, cool! There are manual ticketing windows and ticketing machines. I recommend buying tickets on the machine. Because you can choose to speak in several languages such as Simplified Chinese, the operation process is very simple. The adult round trip is 1620 yen. The cable car departs every half hour, and the seat in the car is set in the opposite direction to the direction of travel (the side close to the mountain), and it feels like it is pulled up from the back when it is up. After arriving at the Birui Mountain Yanli Temple Station, an exit hall is a viewing platform where you can see the panoramic view of Wuhu. The view is very wide, and the distant Wuhu Bridge, characteristic buildings and temples are clearly visible.

Niche Travel|Sakura season enters the little-known "Flower Card Love" framing the Omi Jingu Shrine. Omi Jingu Shrine is not only the location of the flower card love, but also the location of Conan's "Tang Hong's Love Song". Located in Otsu City, it is very close to Kyoto, more than half an hour's drive, and even the cherry blossom season is rare. Transportation: Take the Keihan Electric Railways Ishiyama-Sakamota and get off at Omi-jingu-mae, about 9 minutes on foot. About the knowledge of the shrine: It is mainly dedicated to the 38th Emperor of Japan, and is regarded as the guiding, good luck, industrial, cultural and academic god of Tenchi. But in "Flower Love", here is a flower card (a Japanese card game) to advance to the wishing place, often seeing the wish to come here, to promote the flower card The wish is written on the wishing card. Photographs Tips: 1 The red crimson and long ladder at the main entrance of the Shrine are the landmark spots. If it is the cherry blossom season like me, Use the cherry blossoms in front of the gate to make a foreground. 2 The big bird house in the Omi Jingu Shrine is so beautiful. You can take a bird's eye on the front of the palace stairs and take a picture of the entire back of the palace. To avoid too much floor steps, you can bring a little palace. Roof 3 In the case of not obstructing the worshippers, you can take pictures of the blessing of the gods.

[Shiga Prefecture] Shiga's famous spot of upside-down autumn leaves! Former Chikurin-in Temple

When it comes to upside-down autumn leaves in western Japan, Ruriko-in Temple in Rakuhoku, Kyoto comes to mind. A place with beauty comparable to that of Ruriko-in Temple is Motosatobo Kyu-Chikurin-in Temple in Shiga Prefecture, just 5km east of Ruriko-in Temple. *Although it is only 5km away in a straight line from Ruriko-in Temple, it takes about an hour by car to get there because you have to go around Mt. Hiei. Ruriko-in Temple is always extremely crowded, and the admission fee for advance online reservations is 2,000 yen, but this temple is still a little-known spot, as it is relatively empty and the admission fee is only 330 yen! There is also a free parking lot with space for 20 cars. Motosatobo is a residence for monks from Mt. Hiei when they went into seclusion, and is furnished with a teahouse and gazebo. Each of the two-story teahouses has a small lacquered table, and you can enjoy the upside-down autumn leaves as shown in the first and second pictures. Red Japanese umbrellas are also set up in the garden, creating a tasteful landscape. The fourth picture is difficult to see due to the backlight, but it is a spot where you can enjoy the scenery with Mt. Hachioji, which is said to be the most beautiful garden of the former Chikurin-in. When we visited in mid-November, the leaves were still about 70-80% autumn, but it was quite beautiful and many groups were visiting. The best time to see them is around November 20th every year. The moss garden is also wonderful and worth a visit. #tripdomestictravel #shigaprefecture #autumnleaves #greatview #shrinesandtemples

Biwako Terrace

Very recommended place to visit!

Visit the ski resort and enjoy the view of the Biwa Sea on the terrace.

Visit the ski resort, enjoy the view of the Biwa Sea on the terrace at Biwako Valley (Biwako Valley)🌥️ Shiga Prefecture, Kansai Region . Biwako Valley (びわ湖バレイ) is an area located on the mountain, including terraces, cable cars and winter ski resorts along Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, a small prefecture in Kansai, which Thais may not be able to imagine the place to visit even though it is about 45 minutes from Kyoto and only 1 hour from Osaka. . For the terrace and cable car, you can come and see it all year round. As for the ski resort area it will be open only during winter. Personally, I recommend coming to see all of this during winter, it will be the most beautiful because you will see the atmosphere from a high place with a view of clouds and snow Covering the entire area at the same time 📌Recommended tourist spots ・Biwako Valley Ropeway ・Biwako Valley Ski Resort ・Biwako Terrace The Main-Grand Terrace ・Terrace Café ・Lake Biwa

Skiing and snow fun in Kyoto ⛷️⛷️🏂Lake Biwa skiing guide🏂

📍Address: Lake Biwa, Kyoto If it is winter🗻#京都旅行 Go •Osaka Kyoto Don't miss it~ Lake Biwa Ski Resort, 1 hour away from Kyoto. (I went there in early March this year, and it was still snowing.) The snow in this ski resort is natural snow + artificial snow, not powder snow, so don't compare it with Hokkaido ski resorts. There are beginner and intermediate ski slopes, and you can bring your children to play. Stay Transportation You can drive or take the bus. The ski resort has a parking lot, and the parking fee is shown in Figure 7 Bus route: JR Kyoto Kyoto Station-JR Shiga Shiga Station 40min, 590 yen Then take a bus from Shiga directly to the entrance of Lake Biwa Ski Resort, the timetable is shown in the figure *There is a small shop on the left side of JR Shiga Shiga Station that rents ski equipment, which is cheaper than the ski resort rental fee. (I'm not sure about the style since I didn't rent it here, I just happened to see that the price was more affordable, you can refer to other bloggers) Tickets Food🌸 There is a cafeteria and a western restaurant-Terrace Cafe, located next to the observatory, with beautiful scenery. Overall experience: The scenery is very good, the scenery along the way on the cable car is super beautiful, and there are many parents taking their children there to experience playing in the snow. Whether the snow is heavy depends on the weather + luck, and the official website will be updated every day. #GlobalTravel #JapaneseTravel #Japan

Endless Beautiful Lake Scenery – Biwako Valley in Shiga Prefecture

Many people often visit Kyoto, especially during the autumn foliage season. If you want to explore beyond Kyoto, you can try visiting the area around Lake Biwa. Lake Biwa is very large, and this time we introduce Biwako Valley, which offers a view from 1,100 feet high. Biwako Valley is open until November 4, 2024, and will reopen for the winter season starting December 28. If you want to ski and enjoy the scenery, you can visit at the end of December. It only takes half an hour to get from Kyoto Station to Shiga Station by train. However, be sure to check if you need to transfer to another train along the way, as it is easy to make a mistake. After arriving at Shiga Station, you must quickly take the shuttle bus, as it does not wait for passengers. Our group of five missed the bus because someone went to buy water (actually, it was me :)), so we had to wait over twenty minutes for the next one. After the shuttle bus arrives at the cable car station, you can buy tickets on-site to go up the mountain. The round-trip ticket for adults is 3,500 yen. Although it was not the ski season when we visited Biwako Valley, the endless view was very refreshing, especially as the cable car slowly ascended. There is a large observation deck at the top of the mountain, and its feature is that it does not have a large fence, so you can take full-body photos with the beautiful Lake Biwa as the background. Additionally, the fresh air and breeze on the observation deck are very refreshing. There is a Western-style restaurant at the top of Biwako Valley, and their food is quite good. I had a steak lunch that day.

Lake Biwa Shiga Attractions Japan's Largest Lake Japan Travel

#lake #Biwakoattractions #thebiggestlake #JapanTravel lake biwa Lake Biwa, located in the central area of ​​Shiga Prefecture, belongs to the first-class river "Yodogawa River System" and covers an area of ​​approximately 670 square kilometers, accounting for approximately one-sixth of the total area of ​​the prefecture. The amount of water injected from the Ibuki Mountains, the Suzuka Mountains, the Hira Mountains and the surrounding mountains with an altitude of more than 1,000 meters reaches 27.5 billion tons. It is the largest lake in Japan with the largest water storage capacity and the largest freshwater lake in Japan. It is also one of the only 20 ancient lakes in the world. I highly recommend the Shiga Prince Hotel. It has a large space and beautiful environment. It is perfect for walking around the lake in the morning and evening. #KYOTOShiga #ShigaPrince #First-grade river #100 ways to travel

[🇯🇵 | Shiga] Feel the breeze of Lake Biwa: A hideaway in Nagisa Park

#0yentravelautumn "Nagisa Terrace" in Nagisa Park in Shiga Prefecture was the perfect place to stop by during a drive. This area lined with restaurants and cafes is a small spot, but it has a beautiful landscape surrounded by lakes and greenery. From the terrace, you can see the calm surface of Lake Biwa and the mountains towering in the distance, soothing to visitors. I spent a relaxing time enjoying a coffee at the cafe. It was a luxurious moment as if time had stopped, enjoying the beauty of the surrounding nature and feeling the pleasant breeze. It's also a great spot to talk with friends and family while looking at the beautiful scenery. I thought it was a heartwarming place worth visiting during a drive in Shiga.

The hot springs and food are amazing! 'Biwako Hanakaido'

I stayed at the inn 'Biwako Hanakaido' located in Shiga Prefecture. Upon arrival at the inn, we were served a welcome drink. It was delicious. While enjoying the welcome drink, we were given an explanation of the inn, and then our luggage was taken to our room. The room had a great view, overlooking Lake Biwa. We could choose from several types of yukata, which was exciting! Since we stayed in a room without a private bath, we used the hotel's hot springs! There was also an open-air bath, and we had it all to ourselves. After that, we had dinner. There was meat, fish, and dessert, all of which were delicious and very filling. After dinner, we relaxed in our room! The inn also offers items for room entertainment, and we played Jenga! The breakfast (10th photo) was also delicious, making it a perfect inn experience! If you're a foodie, definitely check it out!

Exploring the World Heritage Site 'Enryakuji Temple' in Shiga Prefecture!

Enryakuji Temple, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, is the head temple of the Tendai sect. 🙏 The temple grounds are situated at an altitude of 848 meters and can be accessed from both the Kyoto and Shiga sides. 🚃 There are various ways to get there, including buses, cable cars, and ropeways. It is recommended to choose the best route from the official Enryakuji website. You can also access it by private car. Enryakuji is divided into three areas: Todo (East Pagoda), Saito (West Pagoda), and Yokokawa. You can visit each area in sequence using a shuttle bus. 🚌 By the way, if you use a private car, you can visit each area in a shorter time as you won't have to wait for the bus. 🚗 If you are short on time, you can just visit the main Todo area! It's an incredibly calming place, making it the perfect temple for seeking relaxation. ✨ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Facility Name: Enryakuji Temple Address: 4220 Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, 520-0116 Access: About 65-70 minutes from Kyoto Station Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

New Discovery: Hotel by Lake Biwa

For summer vacation, we chose a hotel with a pool. We selected the Lake Biwa Hotel, which has a large public bath and offers a buffet dinner. The room wasn't cramped even for three people. The pool had a shallow area for children, but for some reason, both adults and children gathered in the deeper pool, so we leisurely swam in the children's pool. At night, we enjoyed a delicious meal at an Italian restaurant. The pizza is particularly good. Highly recommended.

Experience the Depth of Japanese Tradition at Shohoji Temple

Shohoji Temple (Iwamadera) is a place where you can feel the deep tradition and tranquility of Japan. The temple is famous for its serene gardens and tranquil architecture, offering visitors a sense of peace. The temple grounds are surrounded by a delicate Japanese-style garden, allowing you to enjoy an atmosphere in harmony with nature. In particular, the historical relics and artworks showcase Japan's rich cultural heritage. The temple's quiet ambiance and beautiful nature help you forget everyday stress and find inner peace through leisurely walks. Shohoji Temple is the perfect place to experience the essence of Japanese tradition.

Perfect getaway in Lake Biwa

It was a beautiful 3 days spent in Lake Biwa, which is about 30 minutes train ride from Kyoto. Highly recommended for a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto city while still enjoying the Japanese hospitality and amazing fresh food and produce. The hotel Yuzanso that we chose was also the perfect place to stay in terms of amenities, service, price and experience.

Yumemigaoka Observation Deck

#japantrip This observatory is located on the way to the east tower of Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple after entering the Mt. Hiei Driveway. From the observation deck, you can see Lake Biwa and the cityscape of Otsu in Shiga Prefecture. When I visited, the autumn leaves season had just begun, and the trees were just beginning to change their colors. The scenery is amazing! There was a bell with a bond motif nearby, so I was able to enjoy a short walk. A fee will be charged. But it is recommended

Yumotokan Karoi, a ryokan where you can enjoy Kyoto's outdoor hot springs and kaiseki cuisine

Ogoto Onsen Station Yumotokan Ryokan outside of Kyoto 3 types of hot springs (outdoor, rooftop, indoor) & private open-air baths in guest rooms Finished with a kaiseki course in the evening Kyoto Ryokan Yumotokan🥹 100% willing to visit again next time 👍🏻 🚐 Ogoto Onsen Station shuttle bus ✔️Karo Lounge drinks, beer, and ice cream are all you can drink ✔️Kaiseki in the morning and evening ✔️Private open-air baths are only available in the Karoi Room #KyotoRyokan #KyotoRyokanRecommendation #KyotoOnsen

The cherry blossoms and tulips at Biwako Otsukan.

Taken on April 1, 2023. I think it's a place known only to those in the know. In Kyoto, there are so many people that it's hard to tell if you're going to see the cherry blossoms or just the crowds, but this place is less crowded and quiet. There is a walkway around Lake Biwa, and you can take a stroll. There are also people fishing for bass. It's just a few minutes' walk from Brunch Otsu Kyoto. The combination with the tulips is really lovely, and it's a perfect spot for taking photos.

🏯✨ Explore Tokyo's Spiritual Haven: Top 5 Shrines and Temples with FREE Admission! 🇯🇵📷

Save this post for an unforgettable Tokyo journey as we unveil the best 5 shrines and temples, all with free entrance! 🗾🌟 📷 Kanda Myojin Shrine: Dive into the historical charm of Kanda Myojin, known for its vibrant festivals and centuries-old traditions. 📷 Meiji Jingu Shrine: Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Meiji Jingu, nestled in the heart of bustling Shibuya, offering a serene escape. 📷 Gotokuji Temple: Discover the beckoning cats at Gotokuji, the birthplace of the iconic "Maneki-neko," believed to bring good fortune. 📷 Hie Shrine: Ascend to Hie Shrine for panoramic views of Tokyo, where modernity meets tradition amidst the lush greenery. 📷 Sensō-ji Temple: Conclude your journey at Sensō-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, with its iconic Thunder Gate and bustling Nakamise Street. Embark on a spiritual quest, capturing the essence of Tokyo's rich cultural heritage without spending a penny! 🚀🌈 cr:oneworldjustgo

ดื่มด่ำกับวิวสวย 360° ที่ Biwako Terrace, Shiga

Biwako Terrace is a cafe located in Biwako Valley. This mountain is surrounded by a lake called “Lake Biwa”. This lake is the largest lake in Japan with abundant water and water storage, and is also called the “Mother Lake”. Biwako Valley is open as a ski resort in winter, from December to March. In other seasons, it is still open for tourists to climb mountains and do other recreational activities. Because from this valley, you can look down and see Lake Biwa all around, it is a very beautiful viewpoint. We went here to see the lake view. First, we had to buy a ticket to take the ropeway up. The round trip price is 2,200 yen for adults, 900 yen for children aged 7-12, and 500 yen for young children aged 3-6. When you get up there, you will find Biwako Terrace, a 360° cafe where you can see the entire lake. Here, there are drinks, snacks, and main dishes available. There are both indoor and outdoor seats. We recommend choosing the outdoor zone for a great atmosphere. This 360° cafe zone has a pond surrounding the entire Terrace area. When you look at the pond and see the lake below, contrasting with the white sky, it's a very beautiful picture. Especially on days with fog, it's like being in heaven. There is also a field of bright yellow daffodils that are open for tourists to take pictures and admire the beauty of the flower hills during the spring season, April-May. 📍 How to get there: Get off at Biwako Terrace Ropeway at Sancho Station and take a bus up the hill. #TravelJapan #biwakovalley #BiwakoMountains #BiwakoValley #KansaiSkiSlopes #OsakaSkiSkiPlaces #KansaiSnowPlaces #ShigaSkiResort #ShigaTravel #KansaiTravel #BiwakoLake #WinterTravel

was a nice trip

Biwako Valley Osaka also has a ski slope, did you know?

#Osaka Travel #BiwakoValley #BiwakoValley #Osaka Ski Resort #Osaka Snow Play #Kansai Snow Play #Kansai Ski Resort Today we will take you to play in the snow in the Kansai region. Some people may think, hey!! Will there be snow in this region? Follow us to travel. Let's go!!! We traveled by car to Shiga Prefecture. It is very convenient to travel. There is no snow in other provinces. There will be snow on the roads near the mountain near the ski resort. But it is a thin snow, not very thick. For those who are not experienced, I recommend taking the bus. When we arrived at our destination, we parked the car at the parking lot on the hill and walked to wait for the ski resort's bus to take us up to the top. The shuttle service is free. The bus comes every 10 minutes. Biwako Valley Ski Resort is only open in winter (between December and March). Take the bus to the top and you will find the ticket booth for the cable car and the rental service for skiing equipment. The round-trip ticket for the cable car For adults 2,500 yen, children 1,000 yen After buying the ticket, we took the cable car to the top of the mountain, which is a ski resort. The view along the way is very beautiful, with pure white mountains. If it were not winter, this place would be a lake, a famous viewpoint, where tourists like to camp. After getting off the cable car, we found a snow slope for children to play on the sled. Here, there is a sled for free, no charge. If anyone wants to ski, you have to take the cable car up to the top. If anyone doesn't know how to play, they also offer a teaching service. We had so much fun playing in the snow that we felt like our bodies needed warmth, so we stopped by a cafe inside to sip some warm coffee. There was a heater inside to warm ourselves by the fire. On the way back, we got off the cable car and went down without having to buy a new ticket. We waited for the bus to go back down to the parking lot and drove back home. This trip was very happy for both children and adults. For friends who come to visit the Kansai area and want to see snow like this, try to stop by and visit. The journey is not as difficult as you think. You can take the train and then the bus. That's all for this trip. See you next time.

Sacred Monkeys: Hiyoshi's Guardian Spirits

#fallishere Location: 5 Chome-1-1 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113, Japan Hiyoshi Taisha（日吉大舍）, located in Otsu, Japan, is a Shinto shrine with a rich history dating back over 2,100 years. Established in the 4th century, it venerates the deity Hiyoshi Okami. The shrine gained prominence during the Heian period (794-1185) when it became associated with the powerful Minamoto clan. Hiyoshi Taisha played a strategic role in protecting Kyoto, serving as a spiritual guardian. Its unique feature is the Sanno-sai or "Hiyoshi Taisha Grand Festival," held every 12 years, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike. The vibrant celebrations include processions, traditional performances, and rituals, showcasing the deep cultural roots of the region. The shrine is set amidst scenic landscapes, adding to its allure. With its historical significance and cultural contributions, Hiyoshi Taisha stands as a testament to Japan's enduring spiritual heritage. #trip #2023travel #2023trip #2023travelwish #2023旅行願望 #timetotravel #tripblazers #historical #heritage #otsu #japan

Sacred Harmony: Hiyoshi Taisha's Sanctuaries

#fallishere Location: 5 Chome-1-1 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113, Japan Hiyoshi Taisha, located in Otsu, Japan, is a Shinto shrine renowned for its West and East sanctuaries. The West Sanctuary, also called the Higashi Shin'en, dates back to the Nara period (710-794) and is dedicated to Sanno Gongen, a deity associated with Mount Hiei. It features a distinctive bridge called Soribashi, adding to its serene ambiance. On the other hand, the East Sanctuary, or Nishi Shin'en, has a rich history tracing back to the Heian period (794-1185). This section venerates Hiyoshi Myojin, a deity believed to protect against disasters. Visitors are captivated by its picturesque surroundings, including the sacred Nagaoka-kyo Palace ruins. Together, these sanctuaries showcase a harmonious blend of nature and spirituality, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to immerse themselves in the cultural and religious tapestry of Hiyoshi Taisha. #trip #2023travel #2023trip #2023travelwish #2023旅行願望 #timetotravel #tripblazers #historical #heritage #otsu #japan

Kanda shrine

#tokyotrip Getting There - 2 Chome 16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda city, Tokyo, Japan. Attractions - Historic temple, Shinto shrine, Japanese architecture culture, Amazing wall paintings, antique stone sculptures and beautiful Japanese gardens which remind a rich culture of Japanese cultural. #historicculture #shintoshrine #familytravel #architecture

Lake Biwa Sightseeing

I went to Biwako Valley Terrace with my friends during Spring. The weather was good with Fresh air. You can see the biggest Lake in Japan. The Lake Biwa.