Photograph:mamarosan
Otsu City is the capital of Shiga Prefecture, stretching along the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa. Along with the beautiful lakeside scenery, the city is dotted with temples and shrines such as Enryakuji Temple, Ishiyamadera Temple, and Omi Jingu Shrine, drawing many visitors. This article highlights retro cafes you should stop by when visiting Otsu City.
Created: July 21, 2026
This article is based on559Tabelog reviews.
Table of Contents
Photograph:怪しいグルメ探検隊
Kanou Shoujuan Ishiyamadera Ten is a retro cafe standing in front of Ishiyamadera Temple, an 11-minute walk from Ishiyamadera Station. The shop is marked by a noren (traditional fabric shop curtain) full of Japanese charm.
While the area around it has the lively feel unique to a temple town, the cafe itself is said to have a calm and quiet flow of time inside. It is just right when you want to take a break during sightseeing in Otsu City.
Photograph:ナマケモノミオリン
The shop’s signature menu item, Ishimochi, is a wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) inspired by Ishiyamadera, a temple said to bring good luck in finding meaningful connections. With the wish that bonds will be tied as firmly as stone, the white and green mochi are tightly twisted together.
It is topped with chunky sweet red bean paste with just the right sweetness, and it is said to be excellent.
Photograph:あゆむです0524
Recommended for the hot season, “Ishimokochi kakigori (shaved ice) Matcha.” This dish is matcha shaved ice served with ishimokochi.
The ice is shaved into a soft, fluffy texture, and the generous amount of matcha syrup is said to be rich and fragrant.
yuk074kan
The interior is small, but with tea as a set you can take a relaxing break, and the ishim Mochi itself is more filling than it looks.... If you visit Ishiyamadera (Ishiyama Temple), this is a shop you should definitely stop by for both its history and its auspicious meaning.
Source:yuk074kan's review
bpaco
・Ishimoti
The rice cake was soft, and the an was gently sweet, so I honestly wanted to eat one more!! I am not usually that into sweets, but I could eat as many of these as I wanted ✌️ It was a great meal
Source:bpaco's review
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Photograph:こばみつ
Yamecha Hanbai Kissa Garando is a sweets shop loved in Ishiyama, Otsu City, about a 5-minute walk from Ishiyama Station. In summer, kakigori (shaved ice) is popular, while in winter, mochi (rice cakes) is the favorite.
The interior has the feel of a truly retro cafe, and it is said to make you feel as if you have slipped back into the Showa era.
Photograph:こばみつ
One item said to offer a gentle, comforting taste is the yaki-anmochi (grilled rice cake with sweet red bean paste). This dish features fragrant grilled mochi topped with plenty of lightly sweetened anko (sweet red bean paste).
The mochi is made with house-milled flour, and the anko uses azuki beans from Hokkaido, showing the care that goes into the ingredients as well.
Photograph:PAO PAO
The shop offers not only traditional wagashi (Japanese sweets) but also plenty of unique menu items that blend in Western sweets.
The photo shows the "Chocolate Kakigori (shaved ice)." The chocolate sauce is not overly sweet, but still has a rich cocoa flavor, and it apparently goes perfectly with the whipped cream served alongside it.
「まっすん」
The exterior has the charm of a renovated kominka (traditional Japanese house), blending into the surroundings with a quiet, understated presence. The interior is compact with subdued lighting, creating a cozy nostalgic and retro atmosphere.
Source:「まっすん」's review
もろこし8
・Kuromitsu kinako (roasted soybean flour) shaved ice
The kinako flavor and plenty of kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) make it so delicious〜＾＾It tastes even better on a hot summer day. There are lots of other kinds too! I definitely want to try them♪It was a great meal
Source:もろこし8's review
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Photograph:びっくりジャンボ
Kominka Cafe SORA is a retro cafe set in a renovated kominka (traditional Japanese house), located about a 5-minute walk from Otsu and Zeze stations.
The interior has a spacious washitsu (Japanese-style room) and a laid-back atmosphere where you can relax. Gichuji Temple is right next to the cafe, and many people visit both together.
Photograph:クロ（雄）
The zenzai (sweet red bean soup) with mochi that you grill yourself is popular because you can cook the mochi just the way you like.
The azuki beans in the zenzai are said to have just the right texture, and they pair well with the freshly grilled, fragrant mochi.
Photograph:けいすけ51
Although it is a Japanese style cafe, it also offers a wide variety of Western style menu items.
The “coffee parfait” is made with layers of castella (Japanese sponge cake), milk jelly, and vanilla ice cream on top of unsweetened coffee jelly. It lets you enjoy the deep flavor of coffee, and is said to be excellent.
るーくハート
・zenzai (sweet red bean soup)
A small hibachi (charcoal brazier) is brought to your table, and you grill the mochi yourself, which is super exciting! As you turn it over, you wait for the mochi to puff up. Once it is nicely grilled, you put it into the zenzai, and the mochi is soft, the azuki beans still hold their shape well, and the sweetness is just right.
Source:るーくハート's review
pomgiii
This is a calm cafe where you can relax and take your time. All the different items they have are lovely, and it felt like a place where you could stay forever. The doughnuts and cakes are both delicious, but more than anything, the iced coffee is great！！I was also happy that the staff were so kind…！
Source:pomgiii's review
37
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Photograph:紫陽花の朝
Matari, about a 3-minute walk from Keihan Ishiba Station, is a retro cafe said to still carry the feel of the Showa era. There is even a piano in the back of the shop, which adds to the nice atmosphere.
Along with the good food, the staff's service is said to be brisk and pleasant.
Photograph:Elizabeth33
The restaurant’s signature item is the "katsu sando (cutlet sandwich)," which many people order for Takeout.
The hearty cutlet has a plump, springy texture and pairs perfectly with the sauce. It is said to be a great dish that tastes good no matter how many times you eat it.
Photograph:メイショウドワイト
The "daily set meal" is also hugely popular at this place, which has a reputation that you can’t go wrong no matter what you order.
The photo shows the "Chicken Kara-age with Sweet Vinegar Sauce set meal." It is served quickly, and even the small side dishes and miso soup are said to be excellent, making for a very Manzoku lunch.
marry81
・Katsu sando (cutlet sandwich)
They hand it to you freshly made. When I ate it after getting home, it was tender with no off notes! It was like that great loin cutlet sold at old-school croquette shops, just turned into a sandwich! This is so good‼️And it is very filling! By the second piece, you will be pretty full❣️
Source:marry81's review
takeu631
I ordered the daily set meal. On this day, it was fried squid. The coating was crisp and fragrant, and the squid was tender with nice flavor, so I really enjoyed it. It's popular and gets crowded, so I recommend coming early.
Source:takeu631's review
37
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Photograph:JunMills
Fukurou Coffee Ten is a kissaten (Japanese-style coffee house) where the fun is being able to brew authentic coffee yourself.
The interior has the feel of a retro cafe, and in the colder seasons, the sound of the fireplace is said to be soothing. It is a bit away from the station, but this is a spot worth going a little out of your way for when driving around Otsu-shi (Otsu City).
Photograph:クロ（雄）
The signature “Fukurou Blend” lets you experience the whole process, from grinding the coffee beans in a mill to brewing it with a siphon.
Since the flavor changes depending on how you control the alcohol lamp heat, it also sounds fun to try it with someone and compare the different cups.
Photograph:JunMills
Although coffee is the main draw at this shop, it is also known for having great food.
The photo shows the "Baked Cheese Curry." It is served in a piping hot dish, and the curry comes with plenty of rice inside, making it very filling.
びっくりジャンボ
At this shop, when you order coffee, they bring out a mill, and you start by grinding the coffee beans yourself. Then you use a siphon to brew your own coffee with the grounds you just made. This process is fun. If you love coffee, it is sure to get the conversation flowing. The master will show you how to use the siphon.
Source:びっくりジャンボ's review
ayuhappychan
This is a hands-on kind of shop where you can enjoy the whole process starting from grinding the beans yourself, making it an irresistible spot for coffee lovers☺️The aroma rises as you brew, and the carefully made cup tastes very mellow. Taking the time to make it yourself made it feel even better. They also have many carefully crafted blends, and I was glad I could spend such a calm and relaxing time here♪
Source:ayuhappychan's review
40
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Photograph:紫陽花の朝
Cafe Ballon is a retro cafe located about a 10-minute walk from Ishiyama Station in Otsu City. The window seats are said to offer a lovely view.
The menu includes Omurice and waffles, and the beautiful presentation looks like something you can enjoy with your eyes as well as your taste buds.
Photograph:あづちん
The restaurant's specialty waffles come in such a wide variety that it is hard to choose just one.
The photo shows the “ichigo (strawberry) waffle.” The waffle is crisp on the outside and light inside, with just the right level of sweetness, and it pairs perfectly with the fresh tartness of the strawberries.
Photograph:Sheep99
If you're ordering from the food menu, the recommended dish is the "Bolognese Omurice."
A generous amount of sauce with the flavor of red wine is poured over soft, runny egg wrapped around butter rice, making for a fresh and enjoyable combination of flavors.
mblanc
The waffles are delicious! Whenever I eat waffles, the batter usually feels heavy and I get tired of the rich taste, but the waffles here were light and not too rich, so I finished them in no time! The fruit was fresh and tasty too. I was also happy that they have parking.
Source:mblanc's review
たちえ1213
For people with time to spare, this is an incredibly comfortable space^_^ The old school atmosphere and music feel just right. If the weather is nice, you can gaze outside, zone out, and really lose track of time...so relaxing^_^ The portions are big, so you'll leave Manpuku！！！！
Source:たちえ1213's review
20
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Photograph:Takahashi0611
"Coffee House Milestone" is a coffee shop with easy access, just a 3-minute walk from Shimanoseki Station in Otsu City. Inside, jazz plays in the background, and the retro atmosphere is said to bring back memories of the Showa era.
They also seem to have many old-school menu items, and it is popular for making you feel as if you have traveled back in time.
Photograph:Takahashi0611
With a look that perfectly matches the retro cafe atmosphere, Kissa Napolitan is popular for its nice, simple style.
The ketchup-based sauce has a homey taste, and people say the balance of moderate sweetness and gentle acidity is just right. When you break up the onsen tamago (hot spring egg) and mix it in, the whole dish turns milder and even tastier.
Photograph:みつ
Reviewers said the “café au lait” looked almost too cute to drink.
With rabbit latte art and a plump bright red cup, it has outstanding visual appeal. It also has a rich, full taste, making it a warm and comforting cup.
superman0228
The poritan (Japanese-style ketchup pasta) came topped with an onsen tamago (soft-cooked egg), and the tang of the ketchup matched really well with the mellow richness of the egg, so it was very delicious. The gateau chocolate was moist and a bit like a brownie. The atmosphere of the shop was also great, and I thought, “If a place like this existed, I wish I had found out about it sooner!” ^ ^
Source:superman0228's review
50歳から始めるカフェ修行
A hideaway-style kissaten (Japanese coffee shop) in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Cool jazz plays in the background. You can spend a relaxing time here with good coffee and jazz.
Source:50歳から始めるカフェ修行's review
25
