Local Guide
The countryside surrounding Otsu Prince Hotel is dotted with well-known locations where you can relish the beauty of the autumn scenery. From the hotel, you can set out to explore the Lake Biwa area and its boundless natural beauty. Plus, you can take in the sights of Kyoto just a short nine minutes from JR Otsu Station.
Find using Zenrin MapsAttractions around Otsu Prince Hotel
Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
Enryakuji, a World Heritage Site and head temple of the Tendai Buddhist sect, is a truly majestic and sacred site.
- Access
- About 45 minutes by car from the hotel
Miidera Temple (Onjo-ji)
Miidera Temple, officially named Onjo-ji, houses the well-known "evening bell at Miidera". Revered for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring, this is a great place for a leisurely stroll.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by car from the hotel
Ishiyamadera Temple
Ishiyamadera Temple is known as the birthplace of "The Tale of Genji". Various events are scheduled this year related to the famous work's 1,000th anniversary.
- Access
- About 20 minutes by car from the hotel
Ukimido (floating temple)
In his haiku poem about Ukimido, renowned poet Matsuo Basho wrote, "open the lock, let the moon shine in—Floating Temple". The grace of Basho's heartfelt sentiment reflected in his haiku can still be felt at Ukimido today.
- Access
- About 40 minutes by car from the hotel
Seta no Karahashi Bridge
Karahashi Bridge has been a familiar landmark to countless travellers throughout the ages. See the exquisite beauty of this site at sunset as depicted in a famous 16th century poem, as well as numerous ukiyo-e prints illustrating the Eight Views of Omi.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by car from the hotel
Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden (Kusatsu Aquatic Botanial Garden)
Located to the east of the city of Kusatsu and the Karasuma Peninsula, this botanical garden features an abundance of flowers year-round, and includes a facility housing lotus flowers enabling you to fully appreciate a number of aquatic plants.The shores of Lake Biwa, just next door to the garden, feature views of lotus flowers in bloom between July to August in some of Japan's foremost lotus fields.
- Access
- 30 minutes by car from the hotel
Lake Biwa Museum
Lake Biwa Museum's various exhibits, chalked full of fascinating details, enable you to look back on several million years of Lake Biwa-area history.
- Access
- About 30 minutes by car from the hotel
Biwako Hana Funsui (Lake Biwa flower fountain)
Marvel at the world’s largest fountain—measuring around 400 meters in length—and its fantastic color spectacle at night, lighting up the lake surface in orange, white, and green (Located in Otsu Bay).
- Access
- About 10 minutes by car from the hotel
Cherry Blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki (spring)
In the spring at Kaizu-Osaki, along the shore of Lake Biwa, you can pass through a stunning tunnel of 600 cherry trees in full bloom.
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from the hotel
Kurokabe Square
Kurokabe Square is home to charming buildings harking back to the Meiji era, and offers a rich selection of artisan glass workshops, museums, restaurants, galleries, and other such attractions.
- Access
- About 2 hours by car from the hotel
Saimyoji Temple
In the fall, the Saimyoji Temple's stone-paved pathway is completely covered in red kaede maple leaves.
- Access
- About 1 hour by car from the hotel
Hakodateyama Ski Area
Once ski season begins, ski to your heart's content in perfect show, both natural and from snowmaking equipment, while taking in stunning views of Lake Biwa. The ski area opened on December 6 in 2008.
- Access
- About 1 hour and 15 minutes from the hotel (About 11 minutes by car from the Okubiwako Makino Prince Hotel. Be sure to ask for information about the special ski packages available.)
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
The Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, head shrine for Japan's more than 3,800 Sanno shrines, is known as the Kansai region's preeminent location to enjoy the beauty of autumn leaves.
- Access
- About 30 minutes by car from the hotel
Ohmi Marine
Ohmi Marine, a sightseeing boat operating on Lake Biwa, begins and ends it cruises at the Okubiwako Makino Prince Hotel pier.
- Access
- ---
Hikone Castle
The Tenshukaku tower of Hikone Castle has been designated as a special historic national treasure. The picturesque sight of the moonlight floating above Hikone Castle is counted as one of the eight scenic views of Lake Biwa.
- Access
- About 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from the hotel
Shigaraki Ware
Enjoy abundant natural beauty around the town of Shigaraki, where the art of pottery has flourished since ancient times.
- Access
- About 40 minutes by car from the hotel
Seta Golf Course (54 holes)
The Seta Golf Course boasts a spacious layout and expansive fairways encompassing three different courses for a total of 54 holes—a perfect setting to fully enjoy the true thrill of all-out golf.
- Access
- About 20 minutes by car from the hotel About 3 minutes by car from the Meishin Expressway (Seta Higashi [Seta East] Interchange, Nishi [West] Interchange)
Ryuo Golf Course
The design of this course, making the most of pre-existing geographic features of the land, incorporates natural waterfalls and ponds throughout. Thoroughly enjoy the thrill of golf on this 18-hole course over a variety of terrain.
- Access
- About 40 minutes by car from the hotel About 4 minutes by car from the Ryuo Interchange on the Meishin Expressway.
Lake Biwa Cruise
Lake Biwa Cruise is a sightseeing vessel can be boarded from the hotel-front pier (Nionohei Sightseeing Pier), and operates from the waters in front of Otsu Prince Hotel. These cruises offer you the chance to meet the genial shipboard crew and experience the magnificent scenery of Lake Biwa.
- Access
- ---
Old Bamboo Institute
As one of the Satobo (Monks’ residence in a temple in a mountain village), the Old Bamboo Institute is among most prestigious Enryakuji temples. The garden is designated as a national scenic spot, mainly a meandering creek incorporating the clear stream of the River Omiya with Mountain Hachioji as a scenic stage. Mountain Tsuki contains lot of ups and downs, and a good handful of stonework such as Gojyu Stony Tower and Idutsu. Moreover, Azumaya pavilion and two tea houses built in Tensho-era are designated as Cultural Heritage by City of Otsu. They are beautifully illuminated in the season of autumn foliage.
- Access
- A 30-minute drive from the hotel
Sakamoto
Sakamoto, which prospered as a temple town of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple, has about fifty temples with Satobo. Satobo is the building given to the old monk to live who has finished his training in the mountain. Using natural stones, Satobo can have impressive gardens and elaborate scenic backdrops fulfilled with the beauty and balance of Satsuki, autumn leaves and moss. In 1997, Sakamoto area was selected as one of the Important Preservation Districts of Group’s of Traditional Buildings in Japan.
- Access
- Distance: A 30-minute drive from the hotel
Miho Museum
The nature, architecture and art of Shigaraki combined together created a harmonized space of impression. The art collections of Shigaraki range from Japanese art such as ancient pottery, Buddhist art, pictures of ancient Japan, calligraphy, lacquer ware, tea ceremony to world-class treasures from Egypt, Western Asia, Greece, Ancient Rome, South Asia, China and Persia.
- Access
- Distance: A 50-minute drive from the hotel
Kids Kabuki in Nagahama
Today’s "Nagahama Hikiyama Festival" originated from the festival parade performed in Nagahama Hachiman Shrine based on the gold dust served to celebrate the birth of Hideyoshi's men. The greatest highlight of the festival is the "Kids Kabuki" with the Stage of Hikiyama. You cannot miss the brilliant acting of the full-scale Kabuki played by young boys./p>
- Access
- Distance: A 90-minute drive from the hotel
Harie
Harie District located in the Shinasahichō of Takashima City was selected as one of the origins of the 100 Best Water Selections in Heisei. The Kawabata culture using the waterways and the water surrounding the village remains until today, no wonder the town has a nickname of “the village of raw water (Shouzu-no-sato)” because of its spring-rich nature.
※Since Kawabata is located in the residential areas of Harie District, registration in advance and permission are required prior to visiting.
- Access
- Distance: A 90-minute drive from the hotel
Privileged service for the discerning traveler: Prince Club International. Enjoy added services and enhanced convenience as a valued frequent guest at Prince Hotels.
Prince Club International is a long-term program with no joining fee.
A world of new privileges and exclusive offers awaits you at our participating hotels. Join Prince Club International now!
PCI Members Online
Reservation Site Login.
To corporate-contract business customers
Valued frequent-stay corporate-contract business customers are invited to make use of our special accommodation plan.
