Time zone
GMT +09:00
No time difference
Currency
Japanese Yen
1EUR = 181.55JPY
Official languages
Japanese
Best time to visit
MAR - MAY
Cherry blossoms and mild weather enhance lakeside visits.
Recommended trip duration
1 days
Top things to do in Otsu
Biwako Valley Ropeway Round-way Ticket in Shiga
Book now for tomorrow
Instant confirmation
From
€ 24.79
€ 27.55
Klook's choice
Osaka's 4 Major Attractions: Lake Biwa & La Collina Day Trip
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 45.19
Shiga: Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine and Observation Deck / Kyoto Arashiyama Sanzen-in Temple and Omihachiman One-Day Tour (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 45.19
Lake Biwa, Shirahige Shrine, La Collina Omihachiman & Mangetsu-ji Ukimido One-Day Tour (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 44.89
[Shiga In-depth Tour] Miho Museum, Old Bamboo Forest Garden or Hieisan Shrine, Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine Water Torii Gate (Roundtrip from Osaka / Kyoto)
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 58.55
Klook's choice
Biwako Valley Ski Tour from Osaka
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 33.05
Michigan Cruise Boarding Ticket from Otsu Port
English guided
Up to 3 hrs
Instant confirmation
€ 15.45
Klook's choice
Osaka Biwako & Sanzen-in Full-Day Cultural Tour
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 45.19
Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, & Awaji Island Private Car Charter Tour
Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 240.99
Kansai Private Chartered Car Custom Day Tour: Osaka & Kyoto & Nara & Kobe & Awaji Island & Amanohashidate & Lake Biwa (Departing from Osaka)
Book now for tomorrow
Hotel pick-up
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
€ 264.39
Klook's choice
Lake Biwa Scenic Day Tour: Biwako Valley Observation Deck & Shirahige Shrine Floating Torii Gate (Departing from Kansai)
Book now for tomorrow
English guided
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
€ 46.85
Hotels in Otsu
Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel
Instant confirmation
From
€ 73.32
20 off
Biwako Ryokusuitei
Instant confirmation
From
€ 190.37
€ 192.29
20 off
Yumotokan
Instant confirmation
From
€ 177.08
20 off
Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso Ryokan
Instant confirmation
From
€ 177.57
€ 181.72
Smile Hotel Otsu Seta
Instant confirmation
From
€ 29.24
20 off
Inase Otsu Machiya Bed & Breakfast
Instant confirmation
From
€ 79.73
€ 80.47
Biwako Hotel
Instant confirmation
From
€ 110.96
20 off
Biwako Hanakaido
Instant confirmation
From
€ 266.63
20 off
Biwako Grand Hotel
Instant confirmation
From
€ 141.85
€ 143.28
Pension Lakeside
Instant confirmation
From
€ 75.98
Ogoto Onsen Yunoyado Komolebi
Instant confirmation
From
€ 137.83
20 off
Apa Hotel Biwako Seta Ekimae
Instant confirmation
From
€ 46.36
20 off
Reviews of Otsu activities
林 **
2026-06-04 07:40:54
Experience: Saves a lot of time getting to the mountaintop.
Convenience of booking with Klook: Quick redemption, and staff are clear on the redemption process.
Price: Buying online with discount coupons or credit card payment is cheaper than on-site.
Klook用戶
2026-07-01 08:46:16
Floating Shirahige Shrine Torii Gate and Mangetsu-ji Ukimido floating on Lake Biwa are quite unique and beautiful. La Collina's grass-roof pavilion in Omihachiman also has a bit fairytale-like feel, and her Baumkuchen is worth trying.
The only downside was that after several days of heavy rain, the Biwako Valley Ropeway we were supposed to take was under maintenance, so we went to Sanzen-in Monzeki instead. Fortunately, the temple was tranquil and a good place to purify the mind
The guide, Mr Roman, was a courteous, thoughtful, and responsible person. He kept accurate time management, provided brief introductions and reminders before reaching each attraction, and thoughtfully catered to the needs of every member of the group.
It was a valuable experience.
Connie ****
2026-06-02 15:18:48
Great weather all day. Got to see some beautiful sights, though if I'd known Biwako Valley would be so cold up there, I would've brought my jacket. Anyways thank you for being patient with me. seemed like I was the naughty one in this group tour😅and I really appreciate the guide Peter for taking photos, it meant a lot to us which is why I give 5 stars. 很好的天气，也看到了一些美丽的景色。还有很感谢导游Peter帮我们拍照，真的很高兴。
F ******
2026-06-12 06:07:46
We had a great time in Himeji and Kobe! The atmosphere was so peaceful… slow, calm, and serene.
Mr. Cao is a great driver! He is very approachable, friendly, and organized, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience! ✨
클룩 회원
2026-02-19 14:58:05
This is a meaningful tour that visits four locations: Shirahige Shrine, Sanzen-in Temple, Mangetsuji Temple, and La Collina. I chose it to see Shiga Prefecture, a lesser-known area in the Kinki region, and I was happy to see the large and magnificent Lake Biwa. Sanzen-in Temple, which was included as a substitute for the Lake Biwa Observatory in the winter season, was unfortunately a temple located in Kyoto Prefecture. Personally, I think it would be better if the schedule only included Shiga Prefecture's attractions, excluding Sanzen-in Temple. It seems like the Shiga Prefecture tour needs an image upgrade. Unfortunately, due to the old bus (18 seats) being fully booked with no empty seats, you have to endure the discomfort of a long journey if you end up in a bad seat.
TSENG ********
2026-04-14 12:29:39
Our tour guide, Mia, was incredibly kind and thoughtful, and her explanations in both English and Chinese were excellent. She's a five-star guide! The Miho Museum is definitely worth visiting, and it was absolutely stunning during cherry blossom season. We were also very lucky to encounter a festival when we visited Chikurin-in Temple, and the torii gate on Lake Biwa was beautiful as well.
Klook User
2026-04-06 12:35:30
The Miho Museum is truly stunning. It's remarkable how much effort an organization can put into promoting and disseminating aesthetics, from collecting and displaying exhibits to constructing the museum itself. Visitors to this secluded mountain location will undoubtedly be awestruck and impressed by this architectural masterpiece that rose from nothing. The quaint Bamboo Forest Garden is charming and compact. According to the introduction, it was once a training dormitory for monks from Enryaku-ji Temple. Enjoying matcha while gazing at the garden is quite therapeutic and relaxing. Shirahige Shrine, especially on a clear day, offers beautiful photo opportunities, and its omamori (charms) are also lovely. After a full day of sightseeing, I actually felt incredibly relaxed and peaceful.
Klook客路用户
2026-03-24 10:12:58
The driver was excellent and drove very safely. From start to finish, the trip felt like being guided by a friend. He took care of my family and me meticulously. The car was clean, and the itinerary was comfortably and appropriately arranged. Five-star rating!
Lee ******
2026-07-17 09:13:57
We really enjoyed this two-day trip! It's rare to visit Tokyo and get to see all the surrounding areas in one go. A special thanks to our guide, Tim, who provided detailed explanations and thoughtfully drove us to various locations. He specifically chose restaurants with great value, making us feel right at home! He was also very attentive, taking photos for us and checking on our well-being. I especially loved visiting Mount Omuro; the scenery was vast and lush green! You truly have to experience it yourself to understand the feeling. I highly recommend it to everyone!!!
Otsu at a glance
Quick facts about Otsu
General info
What to know before visiting Otsu
Quick snapshot of Otsu and what draws visitors
Otsu is a lakeside city where attraction passes, tours and outdoor & sports activities dominate bookings, so the year swings between sightseeing and active days out. Demand peaks in November and dips around May, giving the city a clear high-season rhythm driven by fall travel.
Best times to visit based on crowd and price trends
Klook booking data shows November as the busiest month and May as the quietest. Prices are typically lowest in October and then climb into winter, with booking prices peaking in February; overall prices rise sharply after October and are much higher through December to February. If you want lower prices and smaller crowds, aim for October or the quieter shoulder months around May–June; for full peak-season atmosphere choose November when demand is highest even though prices are higher.
Tips for travellers from Hong Kong planning a trip
Most travellers from Hong Kong book experiences roughly a week in advance, so a short, flexible planning window works well for Otsu; last-minute bookings are still possible a day out for some activities. For travel during November’s peak, try to reserve popular tours and outdoor activities earlier in that typical booking window to secure your preferred times on Klook.
FAQs about Otsu
When is the best time to visit Otsu?
When is the best time to visit Otsu?
When is the cheapest time to visit Otsu?
When is the cheapest time to visit Otsu?
How far ahead should I book activities in Otsu if I'm travelling from Hong Kong?
How far ahead should I book activities in Otsu if I'm travelling from Hong Kong?
How much do activities in Otsu typically cost?
How much do activities in Otsu typically cost?
What is Otsu best known for on Klook?
What is Otsu best known for on Klook?