Things to do in Otsu

Activities, attractions and tours

A lock system with water gates, a bridge, and a modern building with orange and white colors.
A traditional Japanese building with a symmetrical design, featuring two main towers and a central entrance.
A close-up of several small clay bowls with green vegetables and a cracked egg.
A tree in the center of a plaza surrounded by tall stone columns.
Three large containers with Japanese writing and green designs, placed outside a building with a wooden facade and a tiled entrance.

Things to do

Full-Day Bus Tour of Kyoto

Kyoto Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto – Temples, Shrines & Bamboo Forest

S$81
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Kyoto Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto – Temples, Shrines & Bamboo Forest
Kyoto and Nara UNESCO Highlights Full-day Tour From Osaka

Kyoto and Nara UNESCO Highlights Full-day Tour From Osaka

S$77
per adult
72% of travellers recommend
Kyoto and Nara UNESCO Highlights Full-day Tour From Osaka
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

S$126
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience
From Osaka or Kyoto: Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kyoto

From Osaka or Kyoto: Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kyoto

S$84
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
From Osaka or Kyoto: Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kyoto
Kyoto & Nara & Uji: Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Osaka or Kyoto

Kyoto & Nara & Uji: Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Osaka or Kyoto

S$76
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Kyoto & Nara & Uji: Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Osaka or Kyoto
10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour

S$451
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour
View of the Kyoto Kimono Wearing Experience

Kimono Wearing Experience

S$39
per traveller
Kimono Wearing Experience
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Most popular experiences in Otsu

Tours & day trips

See all 876 activities
Perfect Kyoto 1Day Bus Tour

Perfect Kyoto 1Day Bus Tour

Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 170 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$151 per adult
Perfect Kyoto 1Day Bus TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 347 activities
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic Experience

Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 162 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$127 per adult
Kyoto 5-Star Geisha Night Walk: Small-Group Authentic ExperienceOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 232 activities
Kyoto Tea Ceremony with Kimono near Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

Kyoto Tea Ceremony with Kimono near Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 201 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$120 per adult
Kyoto Tea Ceremony with Kimono near Imamiya Jinjya ShrineOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 65 activities
Kyoto's Coast: Amanohashidate & Ine Boat Houses 1-Day Tour

Kyoto's Coast: Amanohashidate & Ine Boat Houses 1-Day Tour

Activity duration is 10 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$57 per adult
Kyoto's Coast: Amanohashidate & Ine Boat Houses 1-Day TourOpens in new tab

Shows & concerts

See all 34 activities
Kyoto: Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot & Geisha

Kyoto: Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot & Geisha

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 97 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$128 per adult
Kyoto: Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot & GeishaOpens in new tab

What to do in Otsu

Stay near popular Otsu attractions

A mountainous landscape with a lake, forested hills, and a clear blue sky.

Mount Hiei

8.4/10 (47 reviews)
You can spend time exploring the galleries in Mount Hiei during your trip to Otsu. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the temples in this culturally rich area.
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Where to stay in Otsu

Find the best Otsu areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Otsu
Learn more about Otsu
A coastal cityscape with mountains in the background.

Ogoto

While visiting Ogoto, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Biwa and Ogoto Onsen.

A calm body of water with a dock extending into it, surrounded by greenery and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
Photo by shikabane taro
Open Photo by shikabane taro

Shimo-sakamoto

If you're spending some time in Shimo-sakamoto, Lake Biwa and Biwako Quasi-National Park are top sights worth seeing.

Katata

If you're spending some time in Katata, Lake Biwa and Biwako Quasi-National Park are top sights worth seeing.

 

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.

 

 

A traditional multi-tiered pagoda with green and red roofs.

Kyoto

A pagoda-style tower with a stepped design, surrounded by gravel, trees, and a red bridge.

Uji

A traditional Japanese onsen with clear turquoise water, wooden walkways, and a wooden bridge.

Kusatsu

A traditional wooden pavilion on a pier extending into a calm body of water, with a clear blue sky above.

Moriyama

A coastal landscape with a clear blue sea, green hills, and scattered islands.

Takashima

A stone bridge over a pond with lotus flowers and greenery.

Koka

A tree with pink blossoms against a clear sky.
Photo by YOSHIFUMI OGISO (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Yasu

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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