Hama-Otsu Lakefront and Zeze Castle Park

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Map of central Otsu and lakefront. It is quite easy to walk or bicycle along the lake shore in central Otsu, starting from Hama-Otsu.

Biwako Hama-Otsu Station (renamed from Hama-Otsu Station) on the Keihan Line. Most of the land north of the Keihan Line along the lake has been reclaimed.

Otsu Port and this area is reclaimed land.

Michigan paddlewheel boat is based at Otsu Port. Daily cruises offered.

Otsu Castle site. There's a lot of open land here, so it would be great if they decided to reconstruct the castle. A perfect location for a castle.

Otsu Castle site. This area had many moats, but they have been filled in and much of Otsu's waterfront land has been reclaimed.

Otsu Castle marker

Too many Otsu condos block lake views.

At Hama-Otsu, shopping mall Aqus, also built on reclaimed land.

Central Otsu lakefront

Nightly water fountain show at Otsu Port. MAP

Central Otsu lakefront is rocky most of the way, with no beaches.

Fishing in summer.

Biwako Bunkakan museum is right on the shore, even over the water. It's a landmark, but a tacky-looking castle replica housed a cultural and art museum and gallery.

Biwako Bunkakan museum closed in March 2008. The museum was known for Buddhist art, including National Treasures. It has been here for as long as most Otsu residents can remember.

It used to be a lake fish aquarium as well before the Lake Biwa Museum opened in Kusatsu.

Entrance to Biwako Bunkakan museum. A lookout deck is on the top of this tower.

Inside Biwako Bunkakan museum.

Lookout deck in Biwako Bunkakan museum.

Views from Biwako Bunkakan museum.

View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking west.

View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking east where Biwako Hall can be seen.

View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking south toward the city.

Monument where Akechi Mitsuhide's son-in-law and retainer Samanosuke (Mitsuhide) rode his horse on the lake to Sakamoto Castle in June 1582. Now a legend.Upon hearing of his brother's defeat and death by Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki, Samanosuke rushed back to Sakamoto Castle where he committed suicide.

Lakefront

Nagisa Terrace is a few cafes and shops along the lakefront in Otsu.

Nagisa Terrace

Keihan Line Ishiba Station near the Biwako Hall and Nagisa Terrace.

Keihan Line Ishiba Station

Otsu manhole showing Lake Biwa, Omi Ohashi Bridge, Otsu mascot Hikaru-kun, rowing, yachting, and Michigan boat.

Biwako Hall, Shiga's most modern concert hall. This area is also reclaimed land.

Piazza Omi contains a hotel, passport office, and the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization.

Otsu's nice lakefront walking promenade in an area called Nagisa Koen Park in Nionohama. Notice the box on the right... なぎさ公園

Otsu lakefront as seen from the lake. Biwako Hall can be seen.

Fish disposal box for black bass and blue gill and other invasive species. If you catch one, don't throw it back into the lake. Dispose of it in this box or take it home.Be sure to close the cover to keep cats out. If you catch a non-native fish like black bass and blue gill fish in the lake, they urge you to bring it in and throw it away in this bin. They don't want you to throw it back into the lake.

Artificial shoreline is actually not good for the lake ecologically. They should grow reeds instead. Reclaimed land.

Approaching Otsu Prince Hotel, major landmark visible from afar.

Otsu Prince Hotel MAP

At the top of Otsu Prince Hotel is a restaurant called Top of Otsu. See grand views of the city and Lake Biwa on sunny days. Order a soft drink which should be affordable. It's worth the views to be had.

Central Otsu as seen from Top of Otsu. The right half of this picture is basically reclaimed land.

Otsu lakefront as seen from Top of Otsu.

Otsu and Lake Biwa as seen from the top of Otsu Prince Hotel.

Michigan cruising on Lake Biwa.

Panoramic photo of the southeastern shore of Lake Biwa as seen from Top of Otsu.

Southern Lake Biwa

Omi Ohashi Bridge at the southern tip of Lake Biwa. 近江大橋

Now on the lake shore heading toward Omi Ohashi Bridge.

Stoney beach

Rocky shore

Omi Ohashi Bridge

Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋

Omi Ohashi Bridge and Mt. Mikami

Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋

Otsu Prince and Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋

Approaching Zeze Castle Park

Bridge going to Zeze Castle Park

Zeze Castle Park

Gate to Zeze Castle Park with cherry blossoms in full bloom in April. 膳所城跡公園 MAP

Zeze Castle wall

Zeze Castle gate and cherry blossoms.

Zeze Castle was the base of the Zeze samurai domain who ruled this area during the Edo Period. Gate to Zeze Castle Park. 膳所城跡公園

Zeze Castle's main path to the lake shore is lined with cherry trees.

Zeze Castle Park, Otsu.

Zeze Castle monument 膳所城跡公園

Zeze Castle monument. This park was part of the Honmaru. The castle was on a peninsula jutting into Lake Biwa. It was one of Japan's greatest lakeside castles. 膳所城跡公園

Zeze Castle was built in 1601 upon the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu after he won the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He dismantled Otsu Castle and assigned Zeze Castle as a guard for the Tokaido Road.

Zeze Castle was controlled by a fudai daimyo, a lord with close ties to the Tokugawa. It was considered a strategic location being close to the Tokaido Road and Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.

The first Zeze Castle lord was Toda Kazuaki who moved from Otsu Castle. The Zeze-han domain was thereby established. The castle was abolished in 1870. 戸田一西.

Zeze Castle Park also has No. 4 High School cherry blossoms planted here in memory of the college rowers from Kanazawa University who died in a rowing accident on Lake Biwa in April 1941.

About the No. 4 High School (Yonko) cherry blossoms planted in 1977. 四高桜

Lakeside at Zeze Castle Park.

Lakeside at Zeze Castle Park with Omi Ohashi Bridge in the distance.

Gift coupons in exchange for black bass and blue gill fish. If you catch a non-native fish like black bass and blue gill fish in the lake, don't throw it back into the lake. This was at Zeze Castle park.