By plane
Otsu does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is Osaka's Itami Airport, but Kansai International Airport is an equally viable option. There are no shuttles or limosine buses from either airport to Otsu however, From Itami Airport you can take a limosine bus to Kyoto (�1,280) or Osaka (�490) and then continue to Otsu by train. From either airport, you can travel from the airport to Otsu by train.
By train
From Kyoto, take the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station to Otsu. Alternatively, you can take the Keihan Keishin Line to Hamaotsu Station. From Kyoto Station, the JR line will be most convenient, but from Eastern Kyoto or the subway Tozai Line, Keihan railway is the better option. (Sanjo-keihan to hamaotsu subway 410y / ~25min) Subway and JR station are distant of about 15min walk. Walk to Otsu SA is ~25min from JR station if you want hitchhike out.
By subway
The Subway Tozai Line connects Otsu to eastern, central, and western Kyoto. From Higashiyama, Keihan Railway connects to the subway from Sanjo Station (the subway station is Sanjo Keihan-Mae)
