Fresh Green Leaves and Colorful Flowers Course | Itineraries

From spring to early summer, enjoy an Ōtsu trip filled with blooming flowers and views of Lake Biwa.

From spring to early summer in Ōtsu, warm sunlight sparkles on Lake Biwa, while spring flowers and fresh greenery add vibrant color to the scenery. Let us visit famous flower spots by train and rental bicycle!

Tips for getting around

From Ishiyama-dera Temple to the Lake Biwa Hama-Ōtsu area, take the Keihan Railway.
At Ōtsu Port, use a rental bicycle to explore central Ōtsu compactly by bike.

Route

Day 1

Visit the famous flower spot, “Ishiyama-dera Temple”
Rent a bicycle at Biwaichi Bike
Take a commemorative photo with the BIWAKO Monument
With views of the Lake Biwa Canal
Enjoy refreshing early-summer fresh green leaves at “Miidera Temple”
Enjoy the English Garden at Biwako Ōtsukan
Also check the “Lake Biwa’s Cherry Blossoms and Fresh Green Leaves” special website!

Day 1

8:30

① Visit the famous flower spot, “Ishiyama-dera Temple”

Ishiyama-dera Temple is well known as a “temple of flowers.” In early summer, the jointly hosted Ishiyama-dera and Miidera event, “Fresh Green Leaves Showcase,” is held. Along the approach, you can enjoy vivid colors such as fresh green maple leaves, Kirishima azaleas, and wisteria blossoms, and also take part in special temple viewings.

Ishiyama-dera Temple

Location: 1-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Ōtsu, Shiga 520-0861

View on Google Maps
Parking: 140 standard cars, several large vehicles (paid)
Business Hours: 8:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00)
Admission fee: ¥600
INFORMATION: ‖ 2026 Cherry Blossoms & Fresh Green Leaves Season Events ‖
○ Spring Exhibition: Ishiyama-dera Temple and Murasaki Shikibu
“Past and Present: Forms of Prayer at Ishiyama-dera Temple”
March 18–June 30, 2026
URL: Official Website

Approx. 40 min by train

10:20

② Rent a bicycle at Biwaichi Bike

Rent a bicycle at Biwaichi Bike at Ōtsu Port. In addition to cross bikes and road bikes, you can also rent e-bikes and kids’ bikes—ideal for families.

Reservations: Reservation website

Just a short walk

10:30

③ Take a commemorative photo with the BIWAKO Monument

Take a commemorative photo at the “BIWAKO” monument. If the timing is right, you may even be able to photograph it together with the Michigan sightseeing cruise ship!

Ōtsu Port (right next to the Michigan boarding area)

Location: Hama-Ōtsu 5-chome, Ōtsu, Shiga 520-0047

View on Google Maps

Approx. 10 min by bicycle

10:40

④ With views of the Lake Biwa Canal

The Lake Biwa Canal, which carries Lake Biwa’s water to Kyoto, is a canal built in the Meiji era using the finest civil engineering technology of the time. The cherry-tree-lined banks are one of Ōtsu’s best-known cherry blossom spots, drawing many visitors each year. In 2025, five Lake Biwa Canal facilities, including the “Daiichi Suidō (Lake Biwa Canal First Tunnel),” were designated National Treasures.

In addition, for a limited period each year from late March to early June, the “Lake Biwa Canal Boat” operates, connecting Kyoto and Ōtsu by boat. If you happen to see the canal boat during your ride, waving to it is part of the fun.

Lake Biwa Canal

Location: View on Google Maps
INFORMATION: “Lake Biwa Canal Boat”
Spring Season Operation
March 26 (Thu)–June 14 (Sun), 2026
* For reservations and details, please check the official Lake Biwa Canal Boat website.
URL: Official Website

Approx. 5 min by bicycle

11:00

⑤ Enjoy refreshing early-summer fresh green leaves at “Miidera Temple”

Miidera Temple has been cherished as a cherry blossom spot since the Manyō era. The view of its vast grounds dyed in cherry-blossom pink is truly spectacular. Nighttime illuminations are also held to coincide with peak bloom. During this season, you can also enter the “Kangetsu Butai (Moon-Viewing Stage)” (advance reservation required for viewing). The fantastical cherry blossoms reflected on its mirror-like surface are extremely popular each year.
In early summer, the jointly hosted Ishiyama-dera and Miidera event, “Fresh Green Leaves Showcase,” is held, offering seasonal highlights such as special temple viewings and festivals amid refreshing early-summer scenery.

Miidera Temple

Location: 246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu City, Shiga 520-0036

View on Google Maps
Parking: 350 standard cars / 30 large vehicles (paid)
Entry hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission fee: Adults ¥800 / junior high high school students ¥500 / elementary school students ¥300
URL: Official Website

Approx. 10 min by bicycle

12:20

⑥ Enjoy the English Garden at Biwako Ōtsukan

In spring at Biwako Ōtsukan, you will be welcomed by colorful flowers such as cherry blossoms in full bloom and 10,000 tulips.
In addition to Helen Keller’s cherry tree, the English Garden is filled with spring blooms including daffodils, anemones, and rhododendrons. From around mid-May, you can also enjoy a gorgeous display of approximately 300 varieties and 3,000 rose bushes—one of the largest collections in Shiga Prefecture.

Biwako Ōtsukan (Yanagasaki Lakeside Park)

Location: 5-35 Yanagasaki, Ōtsu, Shiga 520-0022

View on Google Maps
Parking: 170 standard cars, 9 large vehicles
Business Hours: 9:00–22:00 (varies by facility)
* English Garden admission (Apr–Sep): 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed days: Several temporary closure days each year
* The English Garden is closed during the winter season.
Admission Fees: Garden admission fee: adults ¥330, children ¥160
(Groups of 15+: adults ¥260, children ¥130)
URL: Official Website
INFORMATION: ○ Cherry Blossoms Tulips Fair
March 28 (Sat)–April 12 (Sun), 2026
○ Spring Rose Festa
May 16 (Sat)–June 13 (Sat), 2026 (planned)

and more!/

⑦ Also check the “Lake Biwa’s Cherry Blossoms and Fresh Green Leaves” special website!

From cherry blossom season through the season of beautiful fresh greenery, the 10 shrines and temples of the Koshinkai association in Ōtsu City offer many limited-time delights, including special openings, commemorative temple seals, and spring festivals. Please be sure to visit the special website as well, and enjoy a Lake Biwa–Ōtsu trip rich in nature and history.