Meoweler
Japan

Ōtsu / Discover tranquility in Japan's heartland

MeowScore 😸86/100
What is MeowScore?
🐈 Cats in the city 😸
☀️ Sun-soaked days 😸
🚗 Traffic density 😼
🔈 Noisiness 😸
📸 Views and Sightseeing 😻
🌳 Parks and greenery 😸
👮‍♂️ Safety 😻

Best month

April

Pink Moss Festival at Hiyoshi Dam.

🦁
january

Attend Otsu Matsuri and watch lion dance shows

💡
february

Witness the romantic illumination at Lake Biwa Canal

🌸
march

Enjoy sakura season at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

🌷
april

Experience the stunning pink moss at Hiyoshi Dam

🙏
may

Visit Ishiyama-dera Temple during Buddha's birthday

🏮
june

Participate in the lantern festival at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

🎆
july

Watch the fireworks festival over Lake Biwa

🏹
august

Attend the Otsu Summer Festival and see the Yabusame archery

🎨
september

Experience the traditional Otsu-e paintings at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine

🍲
october

Taste local dishes at the Omi Jingu Food Festival

🍁
november

See the gorgeous autumn leaves around Lake Biwa

🎍
december

Visit the Enryaku-ji Temple for New Year's blessings

🤑

Expensive city

Bigmac $?

🤑

The shopping situation in Otsu is quite expensive for tourists, with high-end stores and luxury brands dominating the market.

Consider exploring local markets and street vendors for souvenirs and affordable dining options.

Usual visit duration

1-3 days

stopover destination

Usual visit duration

1-3 days

stopover destination

Otsu is a small city, often visited for its proximity to Kyoto and Lake Biwa. Most visitors spend only 1-3 days.

Tipping

0-5%

Tipping not expected

Tipping

0-5%

Tipping not expected

Cash is preferred, credit cards may not be accepted. Splitting the bill is uncommon.

internet situation

great Speed

Fast fiber optic infrastructure

excellent Availability

High-speed internet available in most areas

great Cellular

Good coverage but can be spotty in rural areas

Electric socket type B

Common in North and Central America. Safer because of grounding pin, mind voltage differences.

JPY

1 JPY =
? USD

Currency converter

undefined

undefined

Sunrise
Sunset
Day length



biking possible

Good infrastructure

walkable

Good infrastructure & parks

LGBTQ tolerated

Neutral

A cat's paradise: Otsu! Plenty of paw-friendly hiking trails and fish-filled lakes to explore.

Historic temples and purrfectly preserved samurai residences add to the charm of this clawsome city.

Things to do

The mainstream

🐱🏯🌄
Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
🐱⛩️🎉
Omi-jingu Shrine
🐱🏛️🎨
Otsu City Museum of History
🐱🌊🚴
Lake Biwa
🐱🌸🧧
Ishiyamadera Temple

The mainstream

🐱🏯🌄
Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple

A purray for peacefulness. Located on Mt. Hiei, this temple is a serene hideaway with fantastic views of Kyoto and Lake Biwa. A breath-taking experience for adventurous cats.

Google Maps
🐱⛩️🎉
Omi-jingu Shrine

Impurressive shrine dedicated to Emperor Tenji. Considered one of Japan's most important shrines for cats, it holds numerous events throughout the year.

Google Maps
🐱🏛️🎨
Otsu City Museum of History

Cat-alogue of Otsu's past. Exhibits showcase the region's history, culture, and art. An educational and enlightening adventure for curious cats.

Google Maps
🐱🌊🚴
Lake Biwa

Purr-fect destination for catmazing nature. Japan's biggest lake with a variety of cativities such as cruises, fishing, and cycling.

Google Maps
🐱🌸🧧
Ishiyamadera Temple

Cat-tractive temple with a rock garden and stunning lake views. Known for its history, cherry blossoms, and lucky charms.

Google Maps

Off the beaten path

⛷️
Biwako Valley Ski Resort
♨️
Ogoto Onsen Hot Springs
🐱
Miidera Temple
🙏
Hiezan Enryaku-ji Temple
🏯
Ishiyama-dera Temple

Off the beaten path

⛷️
Biwako Valley Ski Resort

A hidden gem in winter, offering breathtaking views of Lake Biwa and some of the best skiing in Japan. 🎿

Google Maps
♨️
Ogoto Onsen Hot Springs

A relaxing and rejuvenating hot spring resort with a peaceful cat-friendly atmosphere. 🌊

Google Maps
🐱
Miidera Temple

A stunning temple complex with intricate architecture, serene gardens, and lots of cats to meet! 🌸

Google Maps
🙏
Hiezan Enryaku-ji Temple

One of the most sacred and significant temples in Japan, surrounded by forests and home to many cats. 🐈

Google Maps
🏯
Ishiyama-dera Temple

A peaceful and historic temple with beautiful gardens and amazing views of Lake Biwa. 🐾

Google Maps

biking possible

Good infrastructure

walkable

Good infrastructure & parks

LGBTQ tolerated

Neutral

Mindful meoweler tips

Otsu is famous for its Lake Biwa

The largest freshwater lake in Japan, Lake Biwa offers boat rides and stunning views. Midjourney can create an illustration of a cat enjoying the view from a boat.

Otsu houses the oldest temple in Japan, Mii-dera

Mii-dera boasts gorgeous gardens, a large pagoda, and a unique underground tunnel. Midjourney can create an illustration of a cat exploring the temple gardens.

Visitors should try Otsu's local specialty, Omi beef

Renowned for its succulent taste and tenderness, Omi beef is a must-try for foodies. Midjourney can create an illustration of a cat enjoying a plate of Omi beef.

Don't forget to visit Hikone Castle

One of the few castle constructions that survived Japan's feudal period, Hikone Castle is an architectural marvel. Midjourney can create an illustration of a cat trying to climb the castle walls.

Otsu is home to the Koka Ninja Village

Learn about the ancient art of ninjutsu and take part in ninja experiences at the Koka Ninja Village. Midjourney can create an illustration of a cat dressed up as a ninja.

Useful external sites

otsu.or.jp/en

Otsu City Official Tourism Website↗

Official tourism website for Otsu City providing information on sightseeing, accommodation, events, and transportation.

www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-otsu-sightseeing-card

Kyoto-Otsu Sightseeing Card↗

A travel card that allows unlimited use of public transportation and discounts on tourist attractions in Kyoto and Otsu.

visit-biwako.or.jp/en

Biwako Visitors Bureau↗

Official website of the Biwako Visitors Bureau offering travel information and guides on Otsu and Lake Biwa.

Beware, most of the content was generated by AI