Kyoto’s Hidden Gems ๐ฏ๐ต Lake Biwa, Otsu & Shiga | Day Trip from Kyoto Vlog (Japan Travel Guide 2025)
An underrated, hidden gem just 9 minutes away from Kyoto! Step off the beaten path as we explore this charming city along Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture.
Once upon a time, the port city of Otsu was a popular tourist destination for travelers during the Edo period. As the last stop on the ancient Old Tokaido Road (connecting Tokyo to Kyoto), many Japanese travelers would stop here to refresh themselves along the sacred shores of Lake Biwa. Today, this sleepy town is often overlooked thanks to its close proximity to Kyoto.
Join us as we explore Otsu, one of Shiga Japanโs best-kept secrets. Preserving its old Japan charm, this underrated Kyoto destination features ancient temples, scenic lake views and local eats that most tourists miss.
Whether you’re planning your next Japan travel adventure or just love exploring new places to visit, this Kyoto hidden gem should be on your list!
#kyotovlog #lakebiwa #japanlife
Thank you to Hotel Koo for sponsoring our stay!
Book your stay at Hotel Koo here: https://hotel-koo.com/en/
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Sam โ https://www.instagram.com/sampotenciano
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Music: ๐ท
Mark Generous – A Large Yellow Crane – https://thmatc.co/?l=B3C04D47
Mark Generous – Blue Jeans – https://thmatc.co/?l=3B9C84D6
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Kyoto to Otsu
01:27 Otsu City
02:19 Best Hotel in Otsu
06:06 Best Omi Beef
10:35 Morning in Otsu
13:01 Japanese Breakfast
14:21 History of Otsu Japan
16:19 Otsu Mochi Shop
17:32 160 Year Old Tea Shop
20:26 Lake Biwa Pearl Jewelry
21:37 Traditional Japanese Lunch
23:40 Old School Photo Shop and Snacks
24:45 Otsu Shotengai Walk
25:17 Imperial Family Pickle Shop
26:46 Nagara Shrine
27:40 Rabbit Shrine
28:18 Mii-dera Shrine
29:05 Exploring Otsu
29:50 Siiji Izakaya
31:30 Lake Biwa at Night
32:57 Japanese Machiya Breakfast
35:52 Otsu Morning Walk
36:23 Dry River Bakery
38:51 James Western Clothing
40:22 Cafe
41:03 Curry Shop
42:14 Lake Biwa
43:13 Marlet Cafe
22 Comments
0:00 already a banger
Back again, itโs been far too long. Another great Vlog.
โคโคโคโค super video ๐๐๐
Ngl, as mahilig sa tinapay, fave ko talaga mga bakery hauls niyo ๐ฅฐ listing Otsu on my next trip to Japan!
Ooo you can speak Japanese language too ๐ซฐ๐
I hear the Dilla influence tracks in this video
ใฌใใซใฎ้ซใๆ็ใใ้ฃในใฆใชใใฎใฏ้ฉใ๐คฃ๐คฃ
่ใจใฏใคใณJinenใงใ๐ฅฉๆฅใฆใใใฆใใใใจใใใใใพใใ๐ๅคงๆดฅใๆฐใซๅ ฅใฃใฆใใใใๅฌใใใงใ๏ผ
So Beautiful โค
I think this is my favourite of all of your videos. Thank you for showing us through more little known places. Lake Biwa amd Otsu I had never heard of. Rather go there than more crowded places. Also great to see interaction with locals and subtitles helping me with language. โค
Cheers as always Ralph and Sam for another cool video,peace and happiness have a great week ahead ๐๐๐๐๐๐โคโค
Wonderful Wonderful video! I've just returned to Europe from Kyoto and I miss it already ๐ข๐ข๐ข
Wow. Very inspiring โคโค
Me ha encantado este viaje. El lugar, el ambiente relajado, las tiendas, y la mรบsica ambiental que habรฉis elegido, era perfecta…!!
Un fuerte abrazo, y hasta vuestro prรณximo vรญdeo…!!๐ฅฐ๐๐๐ป
Now my day is complete ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ adding this to the list! Thank you Sam and Ralph! ๐ฅณ
Thanks for a very informative, detailed video ๐๐ป๐. I was there last year, but I didnโt see half part of what you posted ๐
All the food presentation were pure chef's kiss! Thanks for showing us a different and slower side of Japan โค
Nice vid๐
If your goal is a vacation focused on rest and relaxation, I think this is a place you can consider exploring because of its tranquil environment. Thank you for bringing us to this side of Japan.
I'm so sad that they're so out this August (2025)! But I'll see if we can make reservation to eat there. We'll be staying in Kyoto and will be visiting Otsu! Thank you so much for putting them back on the map for me. I wanted to visit small town or towns with a rich history and you guys hit the nail on the head with Otsu! Thank you so much for this video!
You guys just hit the spot every single time! Relaxing cosy viewing.๐
We went to Otsu on a day trip once just to visit the Omi jingu because of a manga called Chihayafuru! It was so empty and relaxing, I thought you will visit it too in your vlog ๐ซ
Love your vlogs as usual and canโt wait to see more of you traveling the world ๐