Shiga : Otsu Bar Hopping with Local Food in Your Chosen Area

2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Shiga : Otsu Bar Hopping with Local Food in Your Chosen Area, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the nightlife of Ōtsu, the gateway city of Shiga Prefecture, on a guided bar-hopping tour that immerses you in local flavors and culture. Just minutes from Kyoto, Ōtsu blends izakayas, modern bars, and lakeside venues reflecting the character of Lake Biwa’s southern shore.

Your guide will lead you to hidden spots where you can enjoy Omi beef skewers, lake-fish tempura, and seasonal dishes paired with regional sake from pure Shiga waters. With ¥4,000 in food and drinks included—¥2,000 at each of two venues—you can relax without worrying about language or payments.

Along the way, you’ll feel the hospitality of family-run shops, meet locals, and see why Ōtsu’s nightlife is a proud part of Lake Country. This tour is more than bar-hopping—it’s a taste of history, community, and the spirit of Ōtsu after dark.

Guided nightlife tour with a local expert

Includes ¥2,000 food and drink credit at each of two bars

Meet locals and experience Lake Biwa’s culture

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Walking Tours Culinary Tours Sake Tasting Spring Break New Product Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: DeepExperience

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: ¥1,500 of food and drink per person at each bar (¥3,000 total)
Included: Visit to two specially selected venues
Included: Guided bar-hopping tour in Shiga Prefecture
Included: Local expert guide

Not included

Not included: Transportation to and from the tour starting point

Itinerary

Otsu

2 hours

Ōtsu, the capital of Shiga Prefecture, is a city where food culture thrives under the influence of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, and its fertile plains. Long a crossroads between Kyoto and the wider Lake Country, Ōtsu developed a culinary identity shaped by both its waters and trade. Freshwater fish from Lake Biwa, including funazushi—one of Japan’s oldest sushi traditions—show centuries of ingenuity, while rice, vegetables, and sake brewed from pure local water highlight the richness of its farmlands.

On a guided food tour in Ōtsu, travelers taste these specialties while learning their stories—how Lake Biwa shaped daily life, how merchants and pilgrims spread its flavors, and how izakaya and family-run restaurants preserve these traditions. More than dining, it is an immersion into the culture and hospitality of the Lake Country’s historic gateway.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Ishiyama Ekimae Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.
The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Seta Ekimae Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.
The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Hama-Otsu Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.
The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Otsu Ekimae Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.

End point

The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Ishiyama Ekimae Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.
The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Seta Ekimae Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.
The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Hama-Otsu Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.
The meeting point is in front of the Otsu Police Station Otsu Ekimae Koban. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign. Please refer to the map for details.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Options

in Seta (G-579)

Starting point:

Japan, 520-2144 Shiga, Otsu, Ōgaya, 1-chōme−11−８大津警察署瀬田駅前交番
in Hama-Otsu (G-578)

Starting point:

Hamaotsu Police Box, 4-chōme-1-39 Hamaōtsu, Otsu, Shiga 520-0047, Japan
in Otsu (G-577)

Starting point:

Otsu Station Police Box, 1-chōme-3-15 Umebayashi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0051, Japan
in Ishiyama (G-580)

Starting point:

4-3 Awazuchō, Otsu, Shiga 520-0832, Japan