Adventures in Otsu: Nature, Culture, Temples, Tea, & Food

Discover the wonders of Otsu on this 6-hour walking tour led by an expert guide. Otsu boasts an array of attractions, including Lake Biwa, Mount Hira, and Mount Hiei. With a history spanning over 1350 years, Otsu flourished during the Edo period as a bustling port town along the Lake Biwa waterway.

Sights and stops…

Ogawa House: Explore an intriguing townhouse with an unusual design. Originally built at the end of the Edo period, it underwent alterations in the early Showa period and is a sight for anyone who appreciates design and architecture.

Nakagawa Seiseido Tea Store: Uncover the history of Japanese tea, said to have its roots in Otsu, where Saicho, credited with introducing tea seeds from China in 805, laid the foundation for Japanese tea cultivation.

Mochihyo: Satisfy your sweet tooth at this esteemed Japanese confectionery store dating back to the Edo period.

Monument of the Otsu Incident: Visit the site of the historic ‘Otsu Incident; an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Russian Crown Prince Nicholas in 1891 on his visit to Japan.

Fuda-no-Tsuji: Step back in time as you explore Fuda no Tsuji, the junction of the Hokkoku Kaido and Tokaido roads. This area once teemed with transporters, peddlers, innkeepers, and travelers.

Lunch: Enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. Options include Omi beef (a Shiga specialty), a Japanese set meal, and more.

Yaoyo: A store that sold pickles to the Imperial Household Agency in the 1850s. Today, it displays valuable historical materials.

Otsu-e no Mise: Immerse yourself in the world of Otsu-e, folk paintings that originated in the early Edo period.

Miidera Temple: Explore Miidera Temple, the head temple of Tendaijimonshu and one of Japan's four great temples since ancient times, and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Biwa.

Nagara Sabo: Conclude your day at Nagara Sabo, a monk's quarters converted into a tea house during the Edo period.