Otsu大津

The questions people ask first about Otsu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
• SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
• Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
• TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
• SafetyOtsu is a low-risk city; the real issues are summer heat and humidity, steep wet steps at the mountain temples, and an early end to the evening.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
• Street or quick mealNoodle soup (ramen or soba)¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9)
• Beerdraught in an izakaya / can at a konbini¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
• Museum or sight ticketTemple entry (Ishiyama-dera, Gichu-ji)¥200–500 (≈ US$2–4)
• Budget bedHostel or capsule bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
• Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
• High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥22,000 (≈ US$150)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥11,000 (≈ US$75) · High ¥22,000 (≈ US$150)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

KIX Kansai International (JR Haruka limited express to Kyoto, then a local train to Otsu; about 1 h 45 min total) · ITM Osaka Itami (Limousine bus to Shin-Osaka, then JR to Otsu; about 1 h)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed

Mid

¥10,000–17,000 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed

High

¥17,000 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed

• Mount Hiei and Enryaku-ji are high and cold in winter; the cable car and ropeway can stop in strong wind or snow: check before going up.
• Enryaku-ji is spread over three areas (Todo, Saito, Yokawa) linked by bus; walking between them takes hours.
• Some temples close earlier than you expect in winter: last entry is often mid-to-late afternoon.
• Otsu is a normal residential city, not a nightlife district; most restaurants shut by around 21:00–22:00.Otsu is a normal residential city, not a nightlife district; most restaurants shut by around 9:00 PM–10:00 PM.