The JR Kosei Line runs between Kyoto Station and Omi Shiotsu Station in Shiga Prefecture. It connects destinations in western Shiga with Kyoto. The Kosei Line runs along the west side of Lake Biwa and the name “Kosei” actually means “west of the lake”. At Kyoto Station, Kosei Line trains for Otsukyo, Katata, Omi-Imazu and Omi-Shiotsu use platforms 0, 2 and 3 depending on the service and time of day, so check the departure boards before boarding.
A Kosei Line train
Key Destinations
There are 22 stations on the JR Kosei Line. The following are the stations you are most likely to visit.
Fares and journey times vary by departure, train type and final destination. Use the JR West Timetable & Route Finder for the latest regular fare and schedule before travel.
Yamashina Station
Transfer here to the JR Biwako Line, the Keihan Keishin Line and the Tozai Subway Line.
Otsukyo Station
Exit here for Omi Jingu Shrine which is famous for its water clock. Omi Jingu Clock Museum is also on the shrine grounds. Transfer here to Keihan-otsukyo Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line.
Hieizan Sakamoto Station
A short walk from this station is Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line. Just beyond that is the Sakamoto Cable Car to Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and Saikyoji Temple can also be reached from here.
Ogoto Onsen Station
Exit here for the lakeside hot spring resort town of Ogoto.
Katata Station
Exit here for Mangetsuji Temple and its famous Ukimido or “floating hall,” a famous view point over Lake Biwa.
Omi Maiko Station
Exit here for the white sands of Omi Maiko beach, a popular destination in the summer months for many Kyoto residents.
Omi Takashima Station
Take a bus or taxi here to visit Shirahige Jinja Shrine. This shrine is famous for the huge red torii gate which stands partially submerged in the lake waters in front of the shrine buildings.
Omi Imazu
Some Limited Express “Thunderbird” services between Kyoto or Osaka and Tsuruga stop at this station. Passengers for Fukui, Kanazawa and Toyama generally transfer at Tsuruga to the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Omi Shiotsu
This is the last station on the Kosei Line, though some trains do continue on as far as Tsuruga Station. Transfer here for JR Hokuriku Line services toward Nagahama and Maibara or toward Tsuruga. For travel beyond Tsuruga, check Hokuriku Shinkansen and connecting conventional-line services before travel.
Platforms 2 and 3 at Kyoto Station
Travelling to Otsu
Otsu is the capital city of Shiga Prefecture and has a number of sites of interest, but the main sites are best reached via the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line. There are three possible routes to reach this line.
- From Kyoto Station take the Kosei Line to Otsukyo Station and then transfer to Keihan-otsukyo Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line.
- From Kyoto Station take the Biwako Line to Zeze Station and then transfer to Keihan Zeze Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line.
- From Sanjo Keihan Station take the Tozai Subway Line to Misasagi Station and there transfer to the Keihan Keishin Line. Take the Keihan Keishin Line to Biwako-hamaotsu Station and then transfer to the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line. This may actually be a better route to take, if you are in the center of Kyoto city and don’t wish to travel to Kyoto Station first.
The main sites and stops along the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line are Miidera Temple, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Enryakuji Temple and Mount Hiei via Sakamoto-hieizanguchi Station, and Ishiyamadera Temple via Ishiyamadera Station.
To work out the cheapest and most timely route, use English language online route finders like Jorudan and Navitime.
JR Kosei Line Stations
The JR Kosei Line is served by Local, Rapid and Special Rapid services. JR West’s Route Maps and Timetables page has official route maps, station maps and timetable search tools. The Kosei Line is colored light blue.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 18-Jun-2026.
