In 1595, Takatsugu KYOGOKU who was a vassal of Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI entered the domain for the first time with properties bearing 60,000 koku (1 koku was about 180 liter; an old unit showing volume), and as a result, the Otsu Domain was established.
文禄4年（1595年）、豊臣秀吉の家臣である京極高次が6万石で入部したことから立藩した。