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Otsu Audio Tour: Temples and Lake Lore

Audio guide9 stops

Beneath the serene surface of Otsu lies a landscape carved by centuries of brutal rebellions, shattered imperial power, and secret pacts made in the dark. You are walking over the ghosts of emperors and the ash of forgotten uprisings. This self-guided audio tour peels back the veil on sites like Enjoji Temple, Mio Shrine, and Enmanin Temple. Bypass the crowded guidebooks to uncover the scandalous, unvarnished history hidden in plain sight. Why did a monk set fire to his own temple to spite an emperor? What terrifying omen caused the bells at Enjoji to weep? And which specific clan leader died clutching a stolen relic in the temple gardens? Trace the path of ancient warriors and disgraced aristocrats. Shift your perspective as the streets transform into a theater of drama and discovery. Open your ears and begin your descent into the true heart of Otsu.

Tour preview

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About this tour

  • schedule
    Duration 100–120 minsGo at your own pace
  • straighten
    5.5 km walking routeFollow the guided path
  • location_on
    LocationOtsu, Japan
  • wifi_off
    Works offlineDownload once, use anywhere
  • all_inclusive
    Lifetime accessReplay anytime, forever
  • location_on
    Starts at Lake Otsu Shore Nagisa Park

Stops on this tour

Lake Otsu Shore Nagisa Park
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Lake Otsu Shore Nagisa ParkOtsu Lake Shore Nagisa Park is an urban park located on the shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. == Overview == A long and narrow park that stretches for 4.8 km on the shores of Lake Biwa on the Morikoshi River, which flows from the east of Otsu Port to the vicinity of Ishiyama Station. Hamamachi 2-chome (east side of Lake Biwa Hotel) --Yumihama intersection along Nagisa Street (Otsu City Road), Yumihama intersection - Morikoshi River Shiga Prefectural Road No. 102 Otsu Lake shoreline extends. The park, which was completed in September 1998 (Heisei 10), is divided into six areas, including many sports facilities and cultural facilities. As a park where you can enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa, it is popular and used by many citizens and tourists. == Facilities == Festival Square It is connected to Otsu Port and is close to the center of Otsu City. The lawn is paved for multi-purpose use such as cultural events. In one corner of the square, there is a statue of Toyosaburo Yamada. Forest of Launches Shiga Prefectural Arts Theater Refers to the vicinity of Biwako Hall. Next to the hall is the "Nagisa Terrace". Nagisa Promenade A long promenade leading from the forest to the citizen's plaza. A plaza decorated with seasonal flowers in a lawn park. Civic Plaza It is located on the surface of the lake and has the best view. You can see the mountains of Hiei and Hira, as well as the cityscape of the city. It has been confirmed that a store of "Taneya" will be established through the redevelopment project (details will be described later). Sunshine Beach It is the largest of Nagisa Park, and the sandy beach continues from Omi Ohashi Bridge to Citizen's Plaza. Behind the sandy beach is a row of pine trees, making it a place where the scenery of Shirahama green pines spreads out. Behind the square, there is a German restaurant "Würzburg" that reproduces the buildings of Würzburg (Bavaria, Germany), one of the sister cities of Otsu City, and a citizen's pool (Nagisa Park Pool). The road of the kitchen and the clear storm A promenade that connects the lakeshore from Zensho Castle Ruins Park to Seirashi. The history and scenery of Otsu, such as Zensho Castle Ruins Park by the lake and the famous "Awazu no Seirashi" famous for the Eight Views of Omi, are integrated with nature. == Park maintenance == From 2007 (19), as one of the projects of the basic plan for the revitalization of the central urban area of Otsu City, town development Otsu promoted development from various aspects, and as part of the project, on April 23, 2009 (Heisei 21), "Nagisa Terrace" opened next to Lake Biwa Hall. In the first half of 2021 (Reiwa 3), the redevelopment project plan for the Citizen's Plaza was compiled, and in July 2022 (Reiwa 4), it was announced that Taneya (Omihachiman City) was selected as a Park-PFI operator in the plaza. In March 2023 (Reiwa 5), the maintenance plan was approved, and Taneya announced that it would install a facility that fuses stores and forests. The facility was scheduled to open in the spring of 2024 (Reiwa 6), but due to a delay of more than half a year in the plan, it was decided to open in the winter of the same year. == Awards and Selections == 1995 (7): Won the "100 Selected Urban Landscapes (Minister of Construction Award)". 2006 (18): "Kansai 100 Landscapes to Get Familiar with Nature" (Selected: Global Environment Kansai Forum) Selected. == Access == Since the park itself is large, access information near the Shiga National Insurance Hall (Otsu City Chuo 4-chome) is listed. Railways Get off at Otsu Station on the JR Biwako Line (Tokaido Main Line) and walk for 10 minutes. Get off at Shimanoseki Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line and walk for 3 minutes. Automotive 5 minutes from Meishin Expressway Otsu IC. == Peripherals == Uchidehama - Omi Ohashi West RidgeThere is one of the best opera halls in Japan, as well as apartments and resort hotels. In the past, along Shiga Prefectural Road 18 and 102 that passed near Niohama (Seibu Otsu Shopping Center), there was a Seibu Otsu store (Seibu Otsu Shopping Center), but the store was closed on August 2020, 8 (2nd year of Reiwa). On the north side of the west side of the Omi Ohashi Bridge, there is Sunshine Beach, and on the south side is the castle ruins park of Zensho Castle, and a water purification plant is built to the south of the castle ruins park. There are science museums, public housing complexes, and apartments nearby. Gotenhama - Morikoshi River is an industrial area, but private houses are scattered, and there is a public junior high school in the same section. == Footnotes == === Notes === === Sources === ==== This article ==== ==== News ==== ==== Novel works (Seibu Otsu) ==== == See also == 100 scenery that is close to Kansai nature 100 Selected Urban Landscapes Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival - A fireworks display held every August. A part of the park will be a viewing space. == External links == Otsu Lake Shore Nagisa Park (Otsu Koen Net) --Wayback Machine (Archived on March 21, 2023) Nagisa Park (Otsu City) - Biwako Visitors Bureau
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Tenson ShrineA shrine in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
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Kokannongonsho TempleBessho temple of Sonojoji Temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
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Nagato ShrineThe guardian shrine of Sonojoji Temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Honyoji Temple
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Honyoji TempleA temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
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Biwako-sosui Ōtsu-kōmon (Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Boarding Point)A canal connecting Lake Biwa and Kyoto

Frequently asked questions

How do I start the tour?

After purchase, download the AudaTours app and enter your redemption code. The tour will be ready to start immediately - just tap play and follow the GPS-guided route.

Do I need internet during the tour?

No! Download the tour before you start and enjoy it fully offline. Only the chat feature requires internet. We recommend downloading on WiFi to save mobile data.

Is this a guided group tour?

No - this is a self-guided audio tour. You explore independently at your own pace, with audio narration playing through your phone. No tour guide, no group, no schedule.

How long does the tour take?

Most tours take 60–90 minutes to complete, but you control the pace entirely. Pause, skip stops, or take breaks whenever you want.

What if I can't finish the tour today?

No problem! Tours have lifetime access. Pause and resume whenever you like - tomorrow, next week, or next year. Your progress is saved.

What languages are available?

All tours are available in 50+ languages. Select your preferred language when redeeming your code. Note: language cannot be changed after tour generation.

Where do I access the tour after purchase?

Download the free AudaTours app from the App Store or Google Play. Enter your redemption code (sent via email) and the tour will appear in your library, ready to download and start.

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This was a solid way to get to know Brighton without feeling like a tourist. The narration had depth and context, but didn't overdo it.
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Brighton Tour
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