Nearest Major Airport:

• Osaka, Japan (KIX-Kansai Intl.)

Area:

Otsu, Shiga: A popular beach destination northeast of Kyoto, Otsu is the capitol city of the Shiga Prefecture and sits on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. Out in the harbor, enormous fountains spray high into the sky. Visitors enjoy hiking to the Enryaku-ji monastery on the summit of Mt. Hei, the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism and site of a battle between a shogun and warrior monks.