How to Get to Otsu from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and the Airports

A common question from Thai travellers is how to get to Otsu if they are not staying in Kyoto. The short answer is that Otsu is already part of the rail network around Kyoto and Osaka, so there is no special route to memorise. The real decision is which station in Otsu to head for, since the city is strung along the shore, so know which station is closest to your destination. This guide follows the origins Thai travellers actually use: Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka and the airports.

The fastest options at a glance

From Tokyo

From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station, which takes a little over two hours to about three depending on the train type. Then transfer to the JR Biwako Line platform for Otsu. If you carry large bags, allow time to walk through the big Kyoto Station. The alternative is a long-distance bus, which is much slower and rarely worth it on a short trip. Book shinkansen seats ahead during Japanese holiday periods.

From Osaka and Kyoto

From Osaka, take a JR rapid service that runs through Kyoto and continues to Otsu on many trains, so a change is often unnecessary; allow roughly an hour. From Kyoto there are two routes: the JR Biwako Line to Otsu Station, and the Keihan line, which connects with the Tozai subway line, to Hamaotsu or Mii-dera, more convenient if you stay near a subway station in Kyoto. Choose by your destination in Otsu.

From the airports and nearby cities

From Kansai Airport, take the Haruka limited express to Kyoto Station, roughly an hour and a bit, then continue on JR to Otsu. From Itami Airport, take a bus or train on to Osaka or Kyoto. From other lake towns such as Hikone or Kusatsu, use the JR Biwako Line, the main line along the shore, but check whether a train is a rapid or a local, because the speed differs greatly.

Train, bus or rental car

• Train: punctual, no traffic, suits nearly everyone
• Local bus: for places trains do not reach, such as some temples and mountain roads
• Rental car: for families with lots of luggage or touring around the lake, but check the licence and documents valid in Japan

For ordinary sightseeing in Otsu, trains are clearly more convenient than a rental car, since temple parking is limited and some city roads are narrow. A car starts to make sense when you want to tour several towns around the lake in one day.

Passes and tickets

For Otsu alone you rarely need a nationwide pass, since the rides that matter are short hops between Kyoto and Otsu and along the Keihan shoreline. A JR regional pass for the Kansai area may pay off when combined with several other cities, but conditions and prices change, so compare it against single tickets for your actual plan on the operator's site. An IC card that works on both JR and Keihan is often easier than buying a ticket each time.

Luggage and reservations

Coin lockers are available at Otsu Station and the big Kyoto stations, but they can fill up on holidays, so consider sending bags ahead to your lodging or leaving them at the hotel. For the shinkansen, reserve seats in busy periods. Local JR trains and Keihan need no reservation. With large bags, avoid the morning and evening rush hours.

On the way you will be using train apps, maps and digital tickets often. A Japan eSIM saves you from hunting for wifi in a crowded Kyoto Station.

See Japan eSIM plans