Shiga & OtsuPlaceholder image
Shiga & Otsu
Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, plus Mt. Hiei and old temples — past Kyoto with no transfer on JR.
From Otsu, the southern gateway to Lake Biwa, you can enjoy lakeside views, Mii-dera and Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei. JR Special Rapid trains run from Osaka Station through Kyoto to Otsu Station with no transfer.
Getting there from Osaka
| Route / Line / train | Time (approx.) | Fare (adult, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Station → Otsu Station JR Kyoto Line / Biwako Line, Special Rapid | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
Times and fares are approximate, as checked on 2026-11-11. They vary by train and time of day, so check the railway company's official site or a route planner.
Main sights
Lake Biwa
Japan's largest lake; walk the shore around Hama-Otsu.
Open in Google Maps ↗Mii-dera (Onjo-ji)
An old temple spread across the hills of Otsu.
Open in Google Maps ↗Enryaku-ji, Mt. Hiei
Part of the World Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto".
Open in Google Maps ↗Ishiyama-dera
A temple traditionally linked to Murasaki Shikibu.
Open in Google Maps ↗
Sample day-trip route
- JR Otsu Station
- Lake Biwa shore (Hama-Otsu)
- Mii-dera
- Train back to Osaka from Otsu Station
Local tips
- Mt. Hiei is a mountaintop site and can be cooler than the foot of the mountain.
Stay in Osaka and head out
- Namba & ShinsaibashiStay in the heart of Minami, steps from Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.
- Umeda & Osaka StationA transport hub around JR Osaka Station, handy for Kyoto, Kobe and the Shinkansen.
- Shin-OsakaThe Shinkansen station area — handy for trips to and from Tokyo or Hiroshima, and for early departures or late arrivals.
- Tennoji & AbenoClose to Abeno Harukas and Tennoji Zoo, with good access to Kansai Airport and Nara.
- Uehommachi, Tanimachi 9-chome & TsuruhashiA calm temple-dotted neighborhood on the Uemachi Plateau, close to Tsuruhashi's market and yakiniku.
- Osaka Castle & Tanimachi 4-chomeClose to Osaka Castle Park — great for morning walks and history trips.
- USJ & Osaka Bay AreaA waterfront area suited to trips centered on Universal Studios Japan or the Kaiyukan aquarium.
More day trips
- KyotoAbout 30 minutes from Osaka by train — the classic day trip for temples and old streets.
- NaraDeer in Nara Park and the Great Buddha of Todai-ji — no transfer from Namba on Kintetsu.
- KobeHarbor views, old Western-style houses and Chinatown — 20 to 30 minutes from Osaka by train.
- AshiyaA calm residential town between Osaka and Kobe, known for architecture and literature.
- AmagasakiRight next to Osaka: the rebuilt Amagasaki Castle, a temple quarter and lively shopping arcades.
- WakayamaWakayama Castle and seaside views — about an hour from Namba by Nankai limited express.