Otsu

• • Enryakuji Temple — The head temple of Tendai Buddhism and a World Heritage Site located atop Mount Hiei. — Phone: +81 77-578-0001
• • Gichu-ji Temple — The burial place of famed haiku poet Matsuo Bashō, of Narrow Road to the Deep North fame. The temple is 300 m away from JR Zeze Station (膳所駅), one stop from Otsu on the JR Tokaido Line. — Price: Entrance is ¥200
• • Ishiyama-dera — This temple was founded in 749 and the hondō (main hall) is the oldest building in Shiga Prefecture built 850 years ago. Inside the hondo, in the room on the right, is the "Genji Room" where it is believed Murasaki Shikibu wrote her famous book "Tale of Genji", considered to be the world's first novel. The temple precincts are quite large, with a 750 year old pagoda and Muyū-en Garden (無憂園) among other things. The pathway leading to the temple is lined with cherry trees, making it especially beautiful in the spring and autumn. For those traveling on the Saigoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage, Ishiyama-dera is number 13. — Directions: On the Keihan Line, go to Ishiyama-dera Station. Upon exiting, go right for about 15 minutes — Price: Entrance is ¥500 — Website: https://www.ishiyamadera.or.jp/
• • Miidera Temple — Website: http://www.shiga-miidera.or.jp/
• • Hiyoshi Taisha — Website: http://hiyoshitaisha.jp/
• • Takebe Shrine — This was once the head shrine of Omi Province. — Website: http://takebetaisha.jp/
• • Omi Jingu — An attractive shrine dedicated to Emperor Tenji as an imperial shrine. It has strong associations with the origins of the karuta game and it hosts the National Karuta Championships every year. — Website: http://oumijingu.org/

• • Michigan Cruise — A cruise of Lake Biwa with on-board entertainment and food. They offer 60 minute, 80 minute and night cruises, each with their own prices. Boat leaves from Otsu Port. The ship's name comes from the American state of Michigan because Otsu has a sister-city relationship with the state's capital, Lansing. — Website: https://www.biwakokisen.co.jp/cruise/michigan/

• • Kanekichi — Local Omi beef specialist. — Website: http://www.kanekichi.co.jp/
• • Matsukiya — Local Omi beef specialist. — Address: 14-17 Karahashicho — Hours: Lunch: 11:30-14:00, closed at 15:00; dinner: 17:00-20:30, closed at 22:00 — Phone: +81 77-534-2901 — Website: http://www.matsukiya.net/
• • Kaneyo — Unagi restaurant. — Address: 23-51 Otani — Phone: +81 77-524-2222 — Email: info@kaneyo.in — Website: http://www.kaneyo.in/

• Ogoto onsen hotspring (English information)
• • Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel — A lakeside hotel with nice views of Lake Biwa. — Price: Singles from ¥8300 — Website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/otsu/
• • Apa Hotel Biwako — A decent, fairly affordable hotel. — Directions: Near Seta Station — Price: Singles from ¥4700 — Website: https://www.apahotel.com/hotel/kansai/biwako-seta-ekimae/

= The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.