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Otsu is right next to Kyoto, so for most travelers it is very convenient and easy to reach. From Kyoto you can take the Subway Tozai Line to Hamotsu Station or the JR Biwako Line to Otsu Station.
From the East, you can take the Shinkansen to Maibara Station and then JR Tokaido Main Line to Otsu Station.
Because Otsu is built around Lake Biwa, it is easiest to get around using the Keihan Ishiyamadera-Sakamoto Line which spans the city from north to south. If you arrive by the subway, you will already be on the Keihan Line at Hamaotsu Station. If you arrive by JR Line, just walk from Otsu Station to Hamaotsu Station. From there you can go north towards Sakamoto to Miidera Temple (Miidera Station), Omijingu Shrine (Omi-jingu-mae Station), and Hiyoshi Shrine (Sakamoto Station). Sakamoto Station is a short walk from the Sakamoto Cablecar, which will take you up Mount Hiei to Enryakuji Temple, Otsu's only World Heritage Site!
If you travel south, the number one attraction is Ishiyamadera Temple (Ishiyamadera Station). It's a large complex with a nice walking path and gardens.
Written Jan 11, 2011
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Take the train to JR Hiei Sakamoto Station or Keihan Sakamoto Station. From there, walk up the hill towards the mountain. There are English signs along the way to guide you in the right direction. It takes about 5 mins to walk to the Sakamoto Cable Car that will take you up to the mountain. There is a bus you can take as well, but walking it is easy & is more scenic.
When you get to the cable cars, buy a ticket to go up. It takes 10 mins & the cable cars run every 1/2 an hr.
Ticket fares:
Adults 840yen one-way, 1570yen roundtrip
Children 420yen one-way, 790yen roundtrip
The reason for the one-way fares is that you can hike up and/or down the mountain & not ride the cable cars one way.
Updated Jul 31, 2003
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This 1 km long bridge above Lake Biwa connects western and eastern part of Otsu.
Written May 21, 2005
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The easiest way to get to the top of mount Hiei is by cable car.
It will cost you 1570 Yen for a roundtrip. They go every half hour.
Written Nov 18, 2004
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Reviews and photos of Otsu attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Otsu sightseeing.
The easiest way to get to the top of mount Hiei is by cable car.It will cost you 1570 Yen for a roundtrip. They go every half hour.
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A BEAUTIFUL VIEW & EXQUISITE TEMPLE COMPLEX
I spent my 28th birthday here! It was my first time to Shiga prefecture & I came here to see Mt. Hiei & Enryaku-ji Temple. It took a long time for me to get here from where I lived in Japan (Himeji)...
2
Otsu is a historical city bordering Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. The city extends around the lake along with the railways, so it's quite easy to see the sites in Otsu. It also helps that it...
3
The capital of Shiga perfecture
Otsu is the capital and largest city in the Shiga prefecture. This prefecture is famous for Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. It quiet place, if you expect a metropolitan place you will not find...
4
I've got some interesting experiences in Otsu. I'd love to share with you the 3 tips I've written, the 4 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
5
Otsu is just beside Lake Biwako, the biggest lake in Japan. One of the attraction in Otsu seems to be only the "Michigan". A leisure cruise with buffet meal. The tour guide told us that there used to...
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