What to do in Otsu

Activities, attractions and tours

Lake Biwa Canal featuring a river or creek
Lake Biwa Canal featuring a river or creek
Biwako Otsukan showing heritage elements
Otsu which includes food
Lake Biwa showing a garden

Otsu Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Otsu has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Otsu is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Otsu to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Otsu Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Otsu.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Otsu attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Otsu

Number of things to do
884
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: CA $5
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Otsu

Discover the most popular places to visit in Otsu

Otsu_BiwakoValleySkiResort_553248621532772473

Biwako Valley Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Otsu with a visit to Biwako Valley Ski Resort. Wander the lakeside or discover the hot springs in this culturally rich area.

Biwako Valley Ski Resort
View of lake Biwa from the top of Mount Uchimi in Otsu city, Shiga prefecture, Japan

Biwako Valley

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Biwako Valley during your travels in Otsu. Wander the lakeside or discover the hot springs in this relaxing area.

Biwako Valley
Beautiful Panorama landscape southern west side of lake Biwa (Biwako) and cityscape of Otsu-shi from a mountain top of Hieizan

Mount Hiei

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Mount Hiei in Otsu. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the temples in this culturally rich area.

Mount Hiei
Lake Biwa Canal

Lake Biwa Canal

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Biwa Canal during your travels in Otsu. Wander the lakeside or discover the hot springs in this culturally rich area.

Lake Biwa Canal
Enryakuji Temple featuring a temple or place of worship and heritage elements

Enryakuji Temple

After visiting Enryakuji Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Otsu. Check out the temples and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Enryakuji Temple
Ishiyamadera Temple

Ishiyamadera Temple

After visiting Ishiyamadera Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Otsu. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Ishiyamadera Temple
Mii-dera

Mii-dera

You can find out about the history of Otsu with a trip to Mii-dera. Discover the top-notch restaurants and fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Mii-dera
Biwako Otsukan showing heritage elements

Biwako Otsukan

Enjoy an outing to Biwako Otsukan during your stay in Otsu. Amble around this culturally rich area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Biwako Otsukan
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

Biwako Hall

You can make plans for a show at Biwako Hall on your trip to Otsu. Amble around this culturally rich area's picturesque gardens and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Biwako Hall

Explore areas of Otsu

Beautiful Panorama landscape southern west side of lake Biwa (Biwako) and cityscape of Otsu-shi from a mountain top of Hieizan

Ogoto

If you're spending some time in Ogoto, Lake Biwa and Ogoto Onsen are top sights worth seeing.

Ogoto
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Katata

While visiting Katata, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Biwa and Biwako Quasi-National Park.

Katata
大津

Shimo-sakamoto

While visiting Shimo-sakamoto, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Biwa and Biwako Quasi-National Park.

Shimo-sakamoto

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Otsu

Heian Shrine featuring a temple or place of worship, religious elements and heritage architecture

Kyoto

Temple @ uji. Uji is known as Green Tea City.

Uji

Beautiful view of Lake Biwa in autumn

Moriyama

瀬戸内海を見晴らす　あじ竜王山公園から源平合戦由来の稲毛島、兜島、豊島ほか（香川県高松市庵治町 ）

Takashima

植物園、公園、屋内、温室、花壇、蓮、水蓮、蓮根、ロータス、蓮の花、レンコン、ロータス効果、蓮台、lotus、

Koka

Frequently asked questions

Is Otsu worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor adventures and history, there are many interesting things to do in Otsu. Make sure to discover the area's blend of cool sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Otsu?
Biwako Valley Ski Resort and Ogoto Onsen are two good places to begin your adventures. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Otsu while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Otsu?
The top tourist attraction in Otsu is Mount Hiei, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Otsu?
You can easily enjoy top sights like Mount Hiei, Ogoto Onsen and Lake Biwa Museum with a three-day trip to Otsu. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a little longer and check out Kyoto.
Is Otsu a walkable city?
Some key attractions in Otsu, like Ogoto Onsen and Lake Biwa Museum, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.64 kilometres from the city centre of Otsu is Ogoto and Katata is 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Otsu with kids?
If you are after sights and activities for all of your group, here are some great ideas for what to do in Otsu with kids.

What to do in Otsu for adults?
Kusatsujuku Honjin and Roadside Station Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza are just a couple of the things to do in Otsu. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Otsu?
In Otsu, Manohama Beach is an unmissable spot for anyone looking to see the city without reaching for their wallet. Also, check out the local neighbourhoods and parks, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Otsu.

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