Otsu, Shiga

From PHOTOGUIDE.JP

This page is 80% complete. Last updated: July 22, 2009

by Philbert Ono

Otsu (大津市; Otsu-shi) is a city in southern Shiga Prefecture and the prefecture's capital.

Adjacent to Kyoto (10 min. by train), Otsu occupies almost the entire southern shore of Lake Biwa. It thus has a very long lakeshore coast. Best known for World Heritage Site temples such as Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei (one of Japan's three most sacred temple mountains), Ishiyama-dera, and Miidera (Onjoji). It also boasts white sand beaches along the western shore.

Otsu, with its Kyoto-influenced temples, convenient transportation links to Kyoto, lake beaches frequented by Kyotoites, and the Lake Biwa Canal supplying water to Kyoto (and Osaka), is almost a satellite or extension of neighboring Kyoto and has never really developed its own unique identity. However, it is a city in its own right with many major places of interest of its own.

The city celebrated the Millennium of the Tale of Genji 源氏物語千年紀 (Genji Monogatari Sennenki) with various exhibitions and events mainly at Ishiyama-dera temple from Mar. 18 to Dec. 14, 2008. An event venue called Genji Yume-kairo 源氏夢回廊 (main path leading to the temple entrance) at the temple will feature a few temple buildings holding various exhibitions related to the novel. It was in 1008 when Lady Murasaki completed the epic novel Genji Monogatari after four years. She wrote it in a little room with a view of the moon at Ishiyama-dera in Otsu. The temple itself is a major tourist attraction with National Treasure buildings, spring lfowers, and autumn leaves.

Otsu is also home to the Shiga Lakestars pro basketball team in the bj-league. The regular season is from Oct. to April. Many of the home games are played at the Shiga Prefectural Gym.

Sights

Ishiyama-dera Genji Room	Omi-Maiko	Enryakuji Konpon Chudo
Miidera temple	Otsu Matsuri	Sanno Matsuri
Katata Ukimido	Karasaki	Hiei-zan Driveway

Must See

• Enryakuji 延暦寺 - One of the largest temple complexes in Japan, Enryakuji is the headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect atop Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. The temple was founded by Saicho to protect Kyoto from the demons of the northeast. Mt. Hiei can be called the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism as many founders of Japanese Buddhist sects once trained on Mt. Hiei. The mountain also has the scenic Hie-zan Driveway offering panoramic views of Lake Biwa.
• Katata Ukimido 堅田 浮御堂 - The Ukimido Floating Temple in Lake Biwa, Katata, Shiga Prefecture is famous as one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi). Today, it is supported by strong concrete pillars instead of wooden stilts of long ago.
• Ishiyama-dera 石山寺 - Founded in 749, Ishiyama-dera, belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, is the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage. Lady Murasaki Shikibu is said to have written the epic novel, "A Tale of Genji" in a room at this temple. The fall colors are also brilliant.
• Miidera 三井寺 - Established in the 7th century, Miidera temple, or Onjoji, is one of Otsu's major temples and one of Japan's four largest temples. It is the headquarters temple of the Tendai Jimon Buddhist Sect and former rival of Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei. It is a complex of numerous structures including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The temple bell is famous for being one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) depicted in ukiyoe prints. Cherry blossoms in April are also lit up at night.
• Hiyoshi Taisha 日吉大社 - Near Sakamoto (Keihan Line) and Hie-zan Sakamoto (JR Kosei Line), this shrine is noted for National Treasures. The fall leaves in Nov. with 3,000 maple trees are also lit up at night 5:30 - 9 pm. In April, it holds the Sanno Festival.
• Michigan Paddlewheel Cruise - Operates from Otsu for pleasure cruises on the lake. Other boat cruises start from Nagahama, Hikone, and Omi-Imazu to Chikubushima and Takeshima.
• Omi-Maiko 近江舞子, Wani, and other beaches on the western shore of Lake Biwa.
• Hie-zan Driveway 比叡山 and Mt. Hiei - Great views of Lake Biwa on the west side. Home of Enryakuji Temple.

Other Sights

• Omi Jingu 近江神宮 - Dedicated to Emperor Tenji who moved the capital to Otsu. The shrine holds a karuta card contest in Jan.
• Karasaki Jinja Shrine 唐崎神社 - Famous for the Karasaki pine tree, noted as an Omi Hakkei.
• Biwako Canal 琵琶湖疎水 - Not exactly a tourist attraction except the part where cherry trees are planted, but a vital water link for Kyoto and Osaka which depend on Lake Biwa for its water supply. In April, it is noted for cherry blossoms.
• Takebe Taisha Shrine
• Seta no Karahashi Bridge and Setagawa River - Spanning the Seta River and depicted in woodblock prints. Seta River is the only river flowing out of Lake Biwa. Also the site for rowing regattas.
• Gichuji Temple - The grave of Haiku poet Basho Matsuo is here, along with many haiku-related monuments.
• Otsu Nagisa Waterfront Park - Otsu dominates southern and southwestern Shiga Prefecture. It has a long lake shore.
• Biwako Flower Fountains - Colorful water fountains lit at night, sprout at Otsu Port.
• Zeze Castle Park - Site of Zeze Castle along the lakeshore, only a stone foundation remains.
• Biwako Valley - Fine view of the city and lake from a ski slope (also open in summer).
• Ogoto Spa - Famed hot spring along the western lakeshore.
• Top of Otsu - Great views of Otsu and the southern tip of Lake Biwa from the top-floor restaurant in the Otsu Prince Hotel. The city's tallest building.
• The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga (Shiga-kenritsu Kindai Bijutsu-kan) 滋賀県立近代美術館 - First-class modern art museum in a scenic park. KInd of out of the way, but worth a visit.

Event Calendar

• April 12-14: Sanno Matsuri 山王祭 - Held by Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and one of Shiga Prefecture's largest festivals, the annual Sanno Matsuri is held during April 12-14 and features processions, violent rocking of portable shrines, and a boat procession on Lake Biwa.
• Aug. - Lake Biwa Summer Festival - At Hama-Otsu, a variety of entertainment and Bon dancing called Goshu Ondo in Shiga.
• Aug.7 or 8 - Grand Lake Biwa Fireworks - Aerial and water fireworks off the shore in central Otsu.
• Aug. 17 - Senko Festival, Aug. 17
• Two days before Sports Day Oct. 10: Otsu Matsuri Festival 大津祭 - One of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct. 10. The first day of the festival has the floats parked and displayed on the streets and lit up at night (Yoimiya). The second day is the festival climax with a procession of all the floats highlighted by performances by karakuri mechanical dolls on the floats.
• Oct. - Apr.: Shiga Lakestars regular season games are held on weekends. For the home game schedule, see their official site (Japanese).

Travel Tips

• Otsu is a long city in length. Trains, streetcars, and buses can take you to most places of interest. By train when coming from the east (Maibara, Nagoya, etc.), getting off at Ishiyama Station is convenient since you can transfer to the Keihan streetcar line which runs through the middle of the city all the way to Sakamoto (Mt. Hiei and Enryakuji). The city's major sights are along this streetcar line (Ishiyama-dera, Keihan Zeze, Hama-Otsu, Miidera, Omi Jingu-mae, and Sakamoto Stations). From Otsu Station, which has a tourist info office, you can walk to Hama-Otsu or take a bus to various places. To visit the western side of the city such as Omi-Maiko, go to Yamashina Station in Kyoto or Nishi-Otsu Station to catch the Kosei Line.

Getting There

Otsu is next to Kyoto, so take the shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, then the Tokaido/Biwako Line train to Otsu Station or Yamashina Station if you will travel on the Kosei Line.

Getting Around

Otsu has numerous train and streetcar stations as well as bus routes. The major sights and facilties along the train and Keihan streetcar lines are as follows:

JR Tokaido Line (東海道線・琵琶湖線)

• Seta Station (瀬田駅) - By bus, go to the "Bunka Zone" (Culture Zone) that has a Japanese garden, the Shiga Prefectural Library, and the The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga.
• Ishiyama Station (石山駅) - Ishiyama-dera Temple is a must-see and the Seta River and Seta Karahashi Bridge are also historic places. Ishiyama is also a Keihan streetcar stop which cuts through Otsu.
• Zeze Station (膳所駅) - Zeze Castle ruins. Also near to Otsu's shopping area.
• Otsu Station (大津駅) - Shiga's capital and a city with many important temples and shrines such as Enryakuji Temple, Ishiyama-dera Temple, Omi Jingu Shrine, Gichuji Temple (where Haiku poet Basho is buried), and a nice lakeshore. Bicycle rental at Otsu Port (Otsu Tourist Office).

JR Kosei Line (湖西線)

This train line runs on the west side of the city and lake.

Going to northern Shiga:

• Nishi-Otsu Station (西大津駅) - (This train station's name will change to "Otsu-kyo" 大津京駅 on March 15, 2008.) Omi Jingu Shrine, Ojiyama Kofun Tumulus are nearby.
• Karasaki Station (唐崎駅) - Karasaki Jinja Shrine (Karasaki Pine)
• Hie-zan Sakamoto Station (比叡山坂本駅) - Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Saikyoji Temple, Hie-zan Sakamoto Cable Car to Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Rental bicycles at nearby Sakamoto Station (Sakamoto Tourist Association office) on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.
• Ogoto Station (雄琴駅) - (This train station's name will change to "Ogoto Onsen" おごと温泉駅 on March 15, 2008.) Ogoto Spa.
• Katata Station (堅田駅) - Ukimido Floating Temple, Biwako Ohashi Bridge (west end)
• Ono Station (小野駅) - Bicycle rental at station (drop-off OK at Kita Komatsu Station).
• Wani Station (和邇駅) - Wani-hama Beach
• Horai Station (蓬莱駅) - Horai-hama Beach
• Shiga Station (志賀駅) - Katsuragawa Keikoku Gorge, Biwako Valley
• Hira Station (比良駅) - Hira mountains
• Omi-Maiko Station (近江舞子駅) - Shiga's most popular beach is Omi-Maiko where many Kyotoites also come in the summer. Omatsuzaki
• Kita Komatsu Station (北小松駅) - Yobai no Taki Falls, Hira Genkimura. Bicycle rental at station (drop-off OK at Ono Station).

Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line (京阪石山坂本線)

Otsu's main streetcar line connecting one end of the city to the other.

• Ishiyama-dera Station (石山寺駅) - Near the famous Ishiyama-dera temple and Setagawa River.
• Karahashi-mae Station (唐橋前駅) - Near the famous Seta Karahashi Bridge and the Seta River.
• Keihan Ishiyama Station (京阪石山駅) - Transfer to JR Ishiyama Station on the Tokaido Line.
• Awazu Station (粟津駅) -
• Kawaragahama Station (瓦ヶ浜駅) -
• Nakanosho Station (中ノ庄駅) -
• Zeze Hommachi Station (膳所本町駅) -
• Nishiki Station (錦駅) -
• Keihan Zeze Station (京阪膳所駅) - Near the shopping area. Also transfer to JR Zeze Station.
• Ishiba Station (石場駅) -
• Shimanoseki Station (島ノ関駅) - Near the Shiga Prefectural Capital.
• Hama-Otsu Station (浜大津駅) - Shopping area and Otsu Port for lake cruises.
• Miidera Station (三井寺駅) - Near the famous Miidera temple and Biwako Sosui Canal.
• Bessho Station (別所駅) -
• Ojiyama Station (皇子山駅) -
• Omi Jingu-mae Station (近江神宮前駅) - Near Omi Jingu Shrine dedicated to Emperor Tenchi.
• Minami-Shiga Station (南滋賀駅) -
• Shigasato Station (滋賀里駅) -
• Ano Station (穴太駅) -
• MatsunoBamba Station (松ノ馬場駅) -
• Sakamoto Station (坂本駅) - Near the Hiezan cable car station to go up Mt. Hiei.

Keihan Keishin Line (京阪京津線)

Streetcar line connecting Otsu and Kyoto.

• Misasagi Station (御陵駅) - Transfer to Tozai Line (Kyoto).
• Keihan Yamashina Station (京阪山科駅) - Transfer to JR Tōkaidō Line and Kosei Line and Tozai Line (Kyoto)
• Shinomiya Station (四宮駅) -
• Oiwake Station (追分駅) -
• Otani Station (大谷駅) -
• Kami-sakaemachi Station (上栄町駅) - Former stage town of Otsu-juku on the Tokaido Road.
• Hama-Otsu Station (浜大津駅) - Otsu Port and shopping area. Transfer to Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.

Maps

Placemarks in Google Maps are in English.

View Larger Map

• Sightseeing Map of Otsu

Photos

Tahoto pagoda, Ishiyama-dera	Miidera
Sanno Matsuri	Otsu Matsuri

Hundreds more photos at Otsu Photos.

Videos

Click on the video to start playing it.

More Shiga videos here.

History

• 667 Emperor Tenchi designates Otsu as the nation's capital.
• 672 Jinshin Revolt occurs.
• 1872 Otsu becomes the capital of Shiga Prefecture.
• 1890 The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) is completed to feed water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto.
• 1891 The Otsu Incident occurs on May 11 when Russian Crown Prince Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (later Tsar Nicholas II) is attacked and wounded in Otsu by a policeman guard named Tsuda Sanzo wielding a saber. Nicholas was on his way back to Kyoto after visiting the Shiga Prefectural Capitol when the attack occurred.
• 1898 The city of Otsu is established.
• 1933 Zeze-cho and Ishiyama-cho town merge with Otsu.
• 1951 Ogoto and Sakamoto Villages merge with Otsu.
• 1967 Seta-cho and Katata-cho towns merge with Otsu.
• 2006 March 20: Shiga-cho town merges with Otsu.

Miscellaneous

Recent News

• The Lake Biwa Cultural Museum (Biwako Bunkakan 琵琶湖文化館), shaped like a castle on the shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu, will close on March 31, 2008 after 47 years. The museum opened in 1961 and served as an art museum, centering on Buddhist art, and aquarium for lake fish. Parts of the museum's collection were later transferred to other museums in Shiga. Its collection of about 5,000 pieces includes National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The lookout deck on the top floor gives a panoramic view of the lake. Due to financial reasons, the cash-strapped prefecture decided to close the museum.
• During Nov. 10-11, 2007, the 27th Zenkoku Yutaka na Umizukuri Taikai (National Convention to Make Bountiful Oceans) 第２７回全国豊かな海づくり大会 is held in Otsu with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in attendance on the 11th for the formal ceremony held at Biwako Hall. The Emperor gives a speech saying that "It hurts my heart that the blue gill fish I brought to Japan from America for human consumption is now damaging the ecosystem of Lake Biwa." In 1960 as Crown Prince on a trip to the U.S., the Emperor brought back the blue gill fish given to him in Chicago, Illinois and intended it to be raised in Japan for human consumption. The blue gill has multiplied rapidly in Lake Biwa from the 1990s and eats the baby fish of native lake fish. After the ceremony, the Emperor and Empress release baby fish of native lake fish into the lake. The Hama-Otsu area also serves as a venue for the public to become more aware of fisheries in Lake Biwa.
• During Nov. 10-13, 2007, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit Shiga for the first time in 13 years. On the first day, they visit a nursing home called Care Town Karasaki. Some 20 patients there sang "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) for the Imperial couple and the Emperor demanded an encore for them to sing it again. On the second day the 11th, they attended the Zenkoku Yutaka na Umizukuri Taikai and afterward took a boat ride to Kusatsu to visit the Lake Biwa Museum. On the 12th, they visited Shigaraki Ceramic Park and the ruins of Shigaraki-no-Miya which was a detached palace of Emperor Shomu. On the 13th, they visited Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei and returned to Tokyo via shinkansen train from Kyoto Station.
• On the Kosei Line, two train stations in Otsu will be renamed on March 15, 2008. Nishi-Otsu Station will be renamed "Otsu-kyo Station" 大津京駅, and Ogoto Station will be renamed "Ogoto Onsen Station" おごと温泉駅. "Otsu-kyo" refers to the area where the Imperial capital was once located after Emperor Tenchi moved it there in the 7th century. And Ogoto Onsen seeks to attract more tourists to its hot springs.
• Otsu City Hall might be moved to Hama-Otsu.

Trivia

• Lady Murasaki Shikibu is said to have written the epic novel "Tale of Genji" (Genji Monogatari) in a small room in Ishiyama-dera temple. The temple has a small room and a mannequin of Shikibu showing where she might have written the novel.

Famous People

• Emperor Tenji 天智天皇 - Moved the Imperial capital from Asuka, Nara to Otsu in 667. Omi Jingu Shrine worships this Emperor.
• Lady Murasaki Shikibu - Writer of the famous novel Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji) in the 11th century. She is said to have wriiten the novel in a room at Ishiyama-dera Temple in Otsu.

Ogura Yuki

Painter

Saicho

Founder of the Tendai Buddhist sect.

Side Trips

Other sights in neighboring cities/towns within easy reach from Otsu.

• Kyoto

Related Articles

• Shiga Prefecture
• Shiga Prefecture Sights
• Shiga Prefecture Transportation

External Links

• Otsu City Hall
• Otsu International Goodwill Association
• shiga-ken.com

Municipalities of Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県

Cities & Towns: Aisho-cho | Azuchi-cho | Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Hino-cho | Koka | Konan | Kora-cho | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takashima | Toyosato-cho | Yasu

愛荘町 | 安土町 | 東近江市 | 彦根市 | 日野町 | 甲賀市 | 湖南市 | 甲良町 | 草津市 | 米原市 | 守山市 | 長浜市 | 近江八幡市 | 大津市 | 栗東市 | 竜王町 | 多賀町 | 高島市 | 豊郷町 | 野洲市

Prefectures of Japan

Aichi | Akita | Aomori | Chiba | Ehime | Fukui | Fukuoka | Fukushima | Gifu | Gunma | Hiroshima | Hokkaido | Hyogo | Ibaraki | Ishikawa | Iwate | Kagawa | Kagoshima | Kanagawa | Kochi | Kumamoto | Kyoto | Mie | Miyagi | Miyazaki | Nagano | Nagasaki | Nara | Niigata | Oita | Okayama | Okinawa | Osaka | Saga | Saitama | Shiga | Shimane | Shizuoka | Tochigi | Tokushima | Tokyo | Tottori | Toyama | Wakayama | Yamagata | Yamaguchi | Yamanashi