Trip Ideas #North01
A route for visiting the port town and the onsen neighborhood embraced by mountains and the lake
Northern Area/Katata / Ogoto Onsen
An old-fashioned port town of a lakeside clan and a lakeside onsen town.
Katata, where the width of the lake is the narrowest, once had an autonomous city that flourished through water transport and fishing rights. It is still the center of the northern part of Otsu. Around it are many highlights including Ukimi-do Hall, which seems to float above the lake, and Shozuiji Temple, where the Zen priest Ikkyu conducted religious austerities. Along Lake Biwa is Ogoto Onsen, which offers healing views of calm waters and is popular as a hot spring town near Osaka and Kyoto. A beautiful landscape of rice terraces lies in the on the mountain side of the Ogi area. The nature-rich Katsuragawa area, where the Sabakaido Road once carried merchandise from Fukui to Kyoto, is a popular spot for outdoor types.
- Approx. time required
- 4-5 hours
- Key points
of traveling - ・Shuttle buses are recommended for travel from JR Ogoto Onsen Station to hotels.
・The Katata Port area is a compact square kilometer, perfect for sightseeing on foot.
・A car is needed to reach Katsuragawa or the Ogi area in the mountains. Some buses are available to and from Katata.
Ogoto Onsen Tourism Park
Take home specialty products of Ogoto Onsen as souvenirs.
Enjoy a free foot hot spring bath.
| Business Hours | 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Closed on | New Years |
| Parking | Available |
| Contact | TEL: +81-77-578-3750 |
Transit time: 5 min. by car
Omi Ogoto Herb Garden
Workshops for enjoying herbs.
| Address | 2 Cho-me 18-1, Ogoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, 520-0101 |
|---|---|
| Parking | 30 cars |
| Business Hours | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (By reservation only) |
| Closed on | Garden closed during New Years and from December to March |
| URL | http://ogotoherbgarden.com/ |
Transit time: 10 min. by car
Ogi district rice terraces
Drive through mountain village landscapes.
A district where rice terraces spread before views of Mount Hiei and Lake Biwa.
The unusual horseshoe-shaped rice terraces are photogenic.
Transit time: 15 min. by car
Kozoku no Sato Museum
The story of people who live with the lake.
| Address | 1-21-27 Honkatata, Otsu City |
|---|---|
| Parking | 10 cars, several large vehicles |
| Business Hours | 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
| Closed on | Wednesdays, New Years |
| Price | 100 yen (80 yen for groups of 30 or more) |
Transit time: Within immediate walking distance
Ukimido (Mangetsu-ji Temple)
Be healed by the beautiful scenery.
| Address | Otsu Honkatata 1-16-18 |
|---|---|
| Business Hours | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Open until 4:30 p.m. in December only) |
| Closed on | No holiday |
| Price | 300 yen (280 yen for groups of more than 30 people) |