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
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€ 24.79
€ 27.55
Klook's choice
Osaka's 4 Major Attractions: Lake Biwa & La Collina Day Trip
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English guided
Free cancellation
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€ 45.19
Shiga: Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine and Observation Deck / Kyoto Arashiyama Sanzen-in Temple and Omihachiman One-Day Tour (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)
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English guided
Free cancellation
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€ 45.19
Lake Biwa, Shirahige Shrine, La Collina Omihachiman & Mangetsu-ji Ukimido One-Day Tour (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)
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English guided
Free cancellation
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€ 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
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€ 58.55
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Biwako Valley Ski Tour from Osaka
English guided
Free cancellation
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€ 33.05
Michigan Cruise Boarding Ticket from Otsu Port
English guided
Up to 3 hrs
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€ 15.45
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Osaka Biwako & Sanzen-in Full-Day Cultural Tour
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English guided
Free cancellation
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€ 45.19
Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, & Awaji Island Private Car Charter Tour
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Hotel pick-up
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
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€ 240.99
Kansai Private Chartered Car Custom Day Tour: Osaka & Kyoto & Nara & Kobe & Awaji Island & Amanohashidate & Lake Biwa (Departing from Osaka)
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Hotel pick-up
Private tour
Private group
Free cancellation
€ 264.39
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Lake Biwa Scenic Day Tour: Biwako Valley Observation Deck & Shirahige Shrine Floating Torii Gate (Departing from Kansai)
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English guided
Free cancellation
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€ 46.85
Hotels in Otsu
Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel
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From
€ 73.32
20 off
Biwako Ryokusuitei
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From
€ 190.37
€ 192.29
20 off
Yumotokan
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From
€ 177.08
20 off
Satoyu Mukashibanashi Yuzanso Ryokan
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From
€ 177.57
€ 181.72
Smile Hotel Otsu Seta
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From
€ 29.24
20 off
Inase Otsu Machiya Bed & Breakfast
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From
€ 79.73
€ 80.47
Biwako Hotel
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€ 110.96
20 off
Biwako Hanakaido
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€ 266.63
20 off
Biwako Grand Hotel
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From
€ 141.85
€ 143.28
Pension Lakeside
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From
€ 75.98
Ogoto Onsen Yunoyado Komolebi
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From
€ 137.83
20 off
Apa Hotel Biwako Seta Ekimae
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From
€ 46.36
20 off
Reviews of Otsu activities
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! ✨
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.
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.
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!
Klook客路用户
2026-04-07 09:51:14
Many thanks to our guide, Xiaoyu, who was incredibly helpful. The area around Lake Biwa is perfect for a leisurely exploration, and first-time visitors on a tour can hit the major attractions. Be sure to bring a thick jacket and enough cash before heading up to the top of Mount Biwa. The view from the summit is like a fairyland, but it's also very cold up there. Tourists accustomed to using Alipay everywhere in big cities for taxis and subways might be spoiled, but it's still a good idea to have some cash when visiting less-traveled spots. I exchanged money with our guide on the spot. Fortunately, Japan doesn't constantly demand exorbitant tips like in the US, nor does it pressure you into buying things excessively like in some other countries. It's very professional and well-regulated.
Otsu at a glance
Quick facts about Otsu
General info
What to know before visiting Otsu
Quick overview of Otsu’s travel rhythm and top experiences
Otsu’s Klook bookings are led by attraction passes, tours and outdoor & sports activities, and demand swings noticeably through the year. Peak demand builds in late autumn while spring shows much lighter visitor numbers, so the city alternates between busy festival-friendly months and quieter, nature-oriented periods.
When to visit: crowds and prices across the year
Klook booking data show the busiest month is November and the quietest month is May. Prices also rise sharply in November and fall to their lowest around May, so demand and prices move together at those extremes. For lower prices and smaller crowds, plan for May or the surrounding spring months; for peak-season atmosphere and events, aim for November even though it typically means higher prices.
Tips for travellers from Singapore
Most travellers from Singapore tend to finalise plans about a week ahead, with many bookings still possible a day before travel—so Otsu works well for flexible itineraries. If you’re travelling in November, consider booking earlier since both demand and prices peak then; for spring visits you can be more spontaneous. Use Klook to compare passes, tours and outdoor activities and lock in the options that match your trip.
FAQs about Otsu
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What is Otsu best known for on Klook?