Discover Local Traditions and Food in Otsu Hyakucho

Otsu Festival Hikiyama Exhibition Pavilion

This exhibition hall celebrates the Otsu Festival, one of the "Big Three Lake Country Festivals." With a full-size replica of one of the hikiyama festival floats, the museum uses video and photographs to teach visitors about the distinctive mechanical dolls and curtains used in the festival. One gets a true sense of the liveliness and fun of the dynamically unfolding festival.

The owner of this brewery is himself a master brewer, staying true to traditional brewing methods as he makes sake that satisfies modern tastes. A sake brewery with a history of over 360 years.

Otsu-e paintings originated around 400 years ago, at a time when travelers on the Tokaido regularly came and went through the town of Otsu. At first, they were used as religious images, and as such, often depicted the Buddha, but the themes diversified over time as travelers began buying them as souvenirs, and the painting techniques also became simpler. Have a look at some humorous paintings that Picasso also loved!

This canal was constructed over 100 years ago so that water from Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa, would flow through Kyoto. Stones and bricks were combined according to the latest technology of the time. The view of the canal overlaid against the natural environment has today become emblematic of Lake Biwa.

Mii-dera Temple is one of the most important temples in Japanese Buddhism, on par with the World Heritage Site Hiei-Zan Enryaku-Ji Temple. Having overcome numerous hardships, it is sometimes called the Temple of the Phoenix. Appropriately adorned and with a fitting atmosphere for a place of worship, it has also served as a set for many movies. Savor the beautiful views of the temple grounds and take some nice photographs.

This confectionery sells Mii-dera Chikara Mochi, a type of rice cake that has been popular as a memento of visits to Mii-dera Temple for the last 400 years. Their Chikara Mochi are incredibly soft and coated in plenty of green roasted soybean flour. They are the perfect complement to a cup of matcha green tea.