Things to Do in Ōtsu

There are 2 attractions in Ōtsu. Tōdai-ji, massive nara temple housing the great buddha, is the most popular.

1

Tōdai-ji

Massive Nara temple housing the Great Buddha

Temple

2

Nara National Museum

Museum focusing on Japanese Buddhist art and artifacts

Museum

3

Lake Biwa

Japan's largest freshwater lake near Kyoto

Lake

4

Hōryū-ji Temple

Ancient temple complex containing some of oldest wooden buildings

Religious Site

5

Enryaku-ji Temple

Historic Tendai monastery complex on Mount Hiei

Religious Site

6

Azuchi Castle

16th-century castle ruins near Lake Biwa

Castle

7

Kōfuku-ji

Historic Buddhist temple in Nara with famous pagoda

Temple

8

Yakushi-ji Temple

Ancient Buddhist temple in Nara with iconic pagoda

Temple

9

Kasuga-taisha

Shinto shrine in Nara famous for lanterns

Shrine

10

Heijō Palace

Nara-era imperial palace site and archaeological park

Palace

11

Nara Park

Large park in Nara with freely roaming deer

Park

12

Mii-dera Temple

Large Buddhist temple complex near Lake Biwa, historic shrine

Religious Site

13

Tōshōdai-ji

8th-century Buddhist temple with classical Nara architecture

Temple

14

Gangō-ji Temple

Ancient Buddhist temple in Nara's historic precinct

Religious Site

15

Mount Wakakusa

Grass-covered hill in Nara, site of annual burn

Mountain

16

Miho Museum

Museum in Shiga with architecture by I.M. Pei

Museum

17

Hokki-ji Temple

Ancient Buddhist temple in Nara with famous bronze Buddha

Religious Site

18

Mount Ikoma

Forested mountain between Nara and Osaka, temple sites

Mountain

19

Oki-shima

Small Japanese island with historic shrine and cliffs

Island

20

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area

Early Buddhist temple complex with original wooden architecture.

Historical Site

21

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

Ancient Japanese capital with monumental temples and Buddha

Historical Site