AREAOtsu City Website Production
- Regions of Shiga
- Otsu City
About Otsu City
It is the capital of Shiga Prefecture and stretches in a narrow north-south stretch along the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa. Government offices, universities, and large hospitals are concentrated here, and the town is characterized by many jobs related to daily life, such as medical care, welfare, retail, and food service.
It takes about 10 minutes by JR from Otsu Station to Kyoto Station, and many people commute to Kyoto or Osaka. The residential area has many clinics, cram schools, and beauty salons, and around Enryakuji and Ishiyamadera, there are also inns and restaurants that welcome tourists.
Industry
Around Otsu Station, there are prefectural offices and courthouses, and nearby are law and accounting offices, as well as restaurants. In the southern part of Seta, there are Shiga University of Medical Science and its affiliated hospital, as well as Ryukoku University's Seta Campus, making it an area with many students and people involved in medical care.
Tourism activities are concentrated around Sakamoto and Ishiyamadera at the foot of Mount Hiei, as well as inns along the lakeshore.
Culture
This is the site of 'Ōmi Otsu-no-miya,' where Emperor Tenji moved the capital during the Asuka period. During the Edo period, Otsu-juku, the last post station on the Tokaido, was established here, and 'Otsu-e' (painted paintings) spread as souvenirs for travelers.
In April, it is the Sanno Festival at Hiyoshi Taisha, and in October, the Otsu Festival is held with 13 floats touring the town. Omi Jingu is considered a sacred site for competitive karuta, and every January, the Meijin and Queen Tournaments are held.
Tourism
In the north stands Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, a World Heritage Site. At the foot of Sakamoto lies Hiyoshi Taisha and a townscape lined with stone walls built with Anato-shu. In the center of the city is Miidera (Onjo-ji), and in the south is Ishiyama-dera, associated with Murasaki Shikibu. Katata's Ukimido is one of the Eight Views of Omi.
Lifestyle
According to the 2025 national census (finalized figure), Otsu City has a population of 342,879, making it the largest town in the prefecture.
Nagisa Park continues along the lakeshore around Otsu Port. From the port, the paddle steamer Michigan departs, and in summer, it also serves as the venue for the Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival.
Katata and Hira in the north have close mountains and lakes, while in the south, Seta and Ishiyama are home to universities and new residential areas. Even within Otsu City, the customer base varies greatly depending on the region.
Of the Eight Views of Omi, seven are in Otsu.
During the Edo period, eight scenic spots along the southern shore of Lake Biwa were selected as the 'Eight Views of Omi,' and they were also depicted in Utagawa Hiroshige's ukiyo-e prints. Seven of them are located in present-day Otsu City.
- Ishiyama Akizuki Sekiyama-dera
- Seta Yugo Karahashi Bridge in Seta
- Awazu Seiran Awazu
- Yabashi Kaiho Yabashi（Kusatsu City）
- Mitsui Banshō Mitsuidera
- Karasaki Night Rain Karasaki
- Wild geese fall in Katata Ukimido
- Compared to the evening snow of Binyo, Mount Hira
Many of the Hakkei locations can still be visited today. Listing which viewpoints nearby are close to makes it easier for people walking around town to find them.
Otsu City by the Numbers
- Population
- 342,879 people Number one in the prefecture
- Number of households
- 150,932 households Number one in the prefecture
- foreign resident
- 6,477 people Number one in the prefecture
- Number of people per household
- 2.23 people The third fewest in the prefecture
North, Central, and South
Otsu City stretches long and narrow from north to south, and the atmosphere and customers who visit the shop vary by region. Depending on the location of the shop, what you want to share on the website may also change.
Northern part (Katata & Hira)
This area is close to the mountains and lake. There are floating halls, lakeside inns, and facilities for playing in the mountains and lake, and on holidays, more people visit by car.
What I want to communicate first on the website
- Seasonal Appearance
- How to get there by car and parking
- How to Make a Reservation
Central Area (Otsu Station, Hamaotsu)
The prefectural office, courthouse, and offices gather here, and sightseeing boats depart from Otsu Port. On weekdays, people come and go; on holidays, tourists come and go.
What I want to communicate first on the website
- Directions from Stations and Ports
- Weekday and holiday business hours
- How to Handle Urgent Consultations and Appointments
Southern Region (Seta, Ishiyama)
It is an area where universities, large hospitals, and new residential areas spread out. Around Ishiyamadera, there are shops that worshippers often visit.
What I want to communicate first on the website
- Fees and Consultation Hours
- Is there parking available?
- Reservations via smartphone
For tourists and tourists,
Nearby customers
At the Otsu shop, they often cater to both tourists and those living nearby. Even at the same shop, the information they look for on their websites differs.
What tourists see
- Directions from Stations and Temples and Shrines
- Business Hours and Regular Holidays
- Whether you need a reservation
- Information in Foreign Languages such as English
What people living nearby are seeing
- Menu and Prices
- Is there parking available?
- How to make reservations and inquiries
- The atmosphere of the shop and what kind of people are there,
A Year in Otsu and a Time to Review Your Website
Otsu is home to events where many people come from outside the town. If you gather information a little before that, it will be easier for those searching to find it.
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January
Karuta Meijin Match / Queen Match
The ultimate competitive karuta showdown is held at Omi Shrine, drawing attention from all over the country. For nearby shops, be sure to post their post-New Year's opening hours early.
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April
Sanno Festival
This is the festival at Sakamoto's Hiyoshi Taisha. Sakamoto's shops and inns are very helpful when they provide information about crowds and business hours on festival days.
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August
Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks Festival
Around Otsu Port, many people gather from outside the city. Be sure to inform the lakeside shops of their business hours and reservation acceptance on the day.
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October
Otsu Festival
The hikiyama tours the central town. Menus exclusive to festival days and directions tailored to road closures are very helpful.
English and German pages are also available.
You can make it
Enryaku-ji and Ishiyama-dera on Mount Hiei also attract travelers from overseas who visit Kyoto while sightseeing. Its proximity to Kyoto, about 10 minutes by train, makes it easy for visitors from abroad to get there.
However, overseas people research in English before heading out, such as "How to get there," "Do you need a reservation?" and "Is it cash only?" If you can't find information there, you might be excluded from the list of candidates.
Kototsuki Design's website is also available in English and German in addition to Japanese. When creating a shop page, we organize things overseas travelers want to check before heading out, such as directions, how to make reservations, and payment methods.
Recommended for people like this
- Shops and inns around Mount Hiei or Ishiyamadera that welcome tourists
- Those who have offices or clinics around Otsu Station or Hamaotsu
- For those traveling from Kyoto who want to find a place
- For those who want to communicate how to get there and business hours to customers from overseas,
- Running shops or classes in residential areas of Seta and Ishiyama where nearby residents attend
We are receiving consultations in Otsu City
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Temples, Shrines, and Tourist Shops
We organize information about worship and tours, directions, and business hours so that even first-time visitors can understand.
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For visitors coming from Kyoto
We envision research methods like "Otsu Lunch" or "Near Ishiyamadera," making it easier for users to find through search or AI search.
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First Website
For clinics, classrooms, and offices in residential areas. Start by deciding together what to include without using technical jargon.
For meetings, if you are in Otsu City, we can visit the shop or company directly. Online is also fine.
Production Examples 
Get a free diagnosis on your current website
Website Design Plans
Putting My Heart into Every Page Mini-Site Plan
Starting at 440,000 yen
A
simple website consisting only of a homepage and blog posts
- Home Page
- Post Page
(WordPress or microCMS): Up to two posts, such as product introductions or announcements - Responsive Design: A design compatible with computers, smartphones, and tablets
- Setting Up a Contact Form
The Most Popular Plan Standard Plan
Starting at 880,000 yen
A
small- to medium-sized website consisting of a home page and about 9 additional pages
- Homepage + 9 subpages
- Post Page
(WordPress or microCMS): Up to two posts, such as product descriptions or announcements - Responsive Design: A design compatible with computers, smartphones, and tablets
- Setting Up a Contact Form
Websites Tailored to Your Needs Multifunctional Plan
Quote
Please request a quote for
multifunctional websites, such as e-commerce sites and sites with language selection features.
- E-commerce Site
- Multilingual Website
- Media Site
- Sites with Other Features
- All prices shown include tax.
- Domain and server fees are not included.
- The prices listed above are estimates. Costs can vary significantly depending on the number of pages and features, so please contact us for a consultation.
Choose by purpose
Website Production in Otsu City
Frequently Asked Questions
- If it's within Otsu City, can you come for a meeting?
- Yes, we will visit. From the northern Katata and Hira areas to the southern Seta and Ishiyama areas, we can visit you directly anywhere in Otsu City. By showing you the shops and companies, you often find clues about how to take photos and communicate them. Online meetings are also available according to your schedule.
- Both tourists and local residents are customers. How should I create a website?
- Since what you want to know varies depending on the person visiting, it's recommended to separate the entrances. Tourists want to know how to get from stations or temples and shrines, business hours, and crowd levels. People living nearby pay attention to menus, prices, reservation methods, and parking. If you separate the homepage as "For tourists" and "For those living nearby," both people can easily find the information they need.
- Can I also create a temple or shrine website?
- Yes, you can make one. The basic principle is to organize and share in advance what visitors want to know, such as visit guides, annual event schedules, goshuin stamps, parking, and access. Since many visitors come to Otsu from overseas, we can also consult about preparing pages in foreign languages such as English.
- Are there subsidies available when creating a website?
- The national 'Small Business Sustainability Subsidy' may include website production costs. The eligible expenses, limits, and application timing vary depending on the session, so please check the latest information at the Otsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the bottom of this page.
Subsidies available for website production
For creating websites for small shops or companies, the national Small Business Sustainability Subsidy may be available. This subsidy is applied for with support from the local chamber of commerce and industry, and the process is as follows.
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Consultation at the counter
Check with the local chamber of commerce and the timing of reception to see if it can be used.
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Document preparation
You will prepare the necessary documents for application, such as a business plan.
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Application
Applications are submitted after confirmation from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Confirm the timing of ordering
When you place an order and make payment to qualify for the subsidy is determined by each subsidy. It's reassuring to check at the counter before starting production.
Otsu City Consultation Desk
- Otsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Seta Chamber of Commerce
- Otsukita Chamber of Commerce
- Shiga Prefecture Yorozu Support Center
The expenses, limits, and timing of applications may vary depending on the session. Please check the latest information at the counter. Depending on the location of your office, it may be decided whether the Chamber of Commerce or the Chamber of Commerce serves as the contact point.
Contact Form