Things to Do in Kusatsu (草津市), Shiga: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kusatsu (草津市) in Shiga Prefecture (Kansai, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Lake Biwa Karasuma Peninsula & Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden, Kusatsu-juku Honjin (Tokaido Post Station), Lake Biwa Museum and served by Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) via the regional hub at Otsu, Hikone & Maibara Stations (JR Biwako Line & Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 102 m elevation (35.0167°N, 135.9667°E), Kusatsu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Omi wagyu beef (Japan's oldest branded wagyu), Funazushi (traditional fermented Lake Biwa fish), Biwa trout (Biwamasu) cuisine and exploring neighboring Rittō (栗東市) (3 km), Moriyama (守山市) (5.3 km), Yasu (野洲市) (8.2 km), Ōtsu (大津市) (10.6 km).

The city lies on Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. The city is often confused with Kusatsu, Gunma Prefecture, which is a famous hot spring resort. Kusatsu is located in southern Shiga Prefecture, on the southeastern shore of Lake Biwa. Kusatsu is part of ancient Ōmi Province. It has been a transportation hub for east-west travel on the ancient Tōsandō and Tōkaidō highways connecting the capital of Heian-kyō with the provinces of eastern Japan from the end of the Nara period onwards. Within Shiga Prefecture, Kusatsu (草津市) serves as a city in Shiga Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1954-10-15) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Lake Biwa (Japan's largest freshwater lake), original National Treasure Hikone Castle, Mount Hiei Enryaku-ji UNESCO monastery, Omihachiman canal merchant town, and Shirahige Shrine's floating torii.

What to See & Do in Kusatsu (草津市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kusatsu (草津市) from Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) at 102 m elevation (35.0167°N, 135.9667°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kusatsu):

• Lake Biwa Karasuma Peninsula & Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu (草津市).
• Kusatsu-juku Honjin (Tokaido Post Station) — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu (草津市).
• Lake Biwa Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu (草津市).
• Tachiki Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Kusatsu (草津市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kusatsu: Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) (connecting to Otsu, Hikone & Maibara Stations (JR Biwako Line & Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kusatsu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kusatsu (草津市) and Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shiga Prefecture and Kansai:

• Rittō (栗東市) — 3 km from Kusatsu (Shiga Prefecture)
• Moriyama (守山市) — 5.3 km from Kusatsu (Shiga Prefecture)
• Yasu (野洲市) — 8.2 km from Kusatsu (Shiga Prefecture)
• Ōtsu (大津市) — 10.6 km from Kusatsu (Shiga Prefecture)
• Konan (湖南市) — 10.8 km from Kusatsu (Shiga Prefecture)

Getting to Kusatsu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kusatsu (草津市) via Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km): Just 10m from Kyoto Station to Otsu (or 48m to Hikone) on the JR Biwako Special Rapid line; Maibara is a direct Tokaido Shinkansen stop. From Otsu, Hikone & Maibara Stations (JR Biwako Line & Tokaido Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) to reach central Kusatsu (35.0167°N, 135.9667°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Otsu with Kusatsu (草津市) and neighboring Rittō, Moriyama, Yasu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kusatsu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kusatsu and continuing toward Rittō can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kusatsu: While Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) anchors public transit for Kusatsu, picking up a rental car at Otsu, Hikone & Maibara Stations (JR Biwako Line & Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Lake Biwa Karasuma Peninsula & Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden and Kusatsu-juku Honjin (Tokaido Post Station) with nearby Rittō (栗東市) (3 km), Moriyama (守山市) (5.3 km), Yasu (野洲市) (8.2 km), Ōtsu (大津市) (10.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kusatsu (草津市) & Shiga

Dining near Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) and across Kusatsu (草津市) highlights the regional food culture of Shiga Prefecture and Kansai. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kusatsu:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kusatsu (草津市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside Edo-period highway post-town (shukuba) heritage and regional trade routes.
• Omi wagyu beef (Japan's oldest branded wagyu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu (草津市) and Shiga Prefecture.
• Funazushi (traditional fermented Lake Biwa fish) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu (草津市) and Shiga Prefecture.
• Biwa trout (Biwamasu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu (草津市) and Shiga Prefecture.
• Kamo nabe (duck hotpot in Nagahama) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kusatsu (草津市) and Shiga Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kusatsu (草津市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km).

Where to Stay in Kusatsu (草津市)

Visitors staying overnight in Kusatsu (草津市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Otsu (Otsu, Hikone & Maibara Stations (JR Biwako Line & Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Rittō, Moriyama, Yasu for quick train access into Kusatsu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kusatsu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kusatsu (草津市, 102 m elevation at 35.0167°N, 135.9667°E): Early–mid April for Hikone Castle moat & Kaizu Osaki cherry blossoms; summer for cycling the Biwaichi loop around Lake Biwa; November for Enryaku-ji & Lake Biwa temples.

Wider sightseeing across Shiga Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Lake Biwa Karasuma Peninsula & Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden in Kusatsu (草津市) includes: Lake Biwa (Japan's largest freshwater lake), original National Treasure Hikone Castle, Mount Hiei Enryaku-ji UNESCO monastery, Omihachiman canal merchant town, and Shirahige Shrine's floating torii.

Practical Travel Tips for Kusatsu (草津市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kusatsu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Otsu, Hikone & Maibara Stations (JR Biwako Line & Tokaido Shinkansen) or Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) for local bus schedules to Lake Biwa Karasuma Peninsula & Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden and walking maps of Kusatsu (草津市).
• Cash & ATMs in Kusatsu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Lake Biwa Karasuma Peninsula & Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kusatsu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kusatsu: Around Kusatsu Station (草津駅) (0.8 km) and neighboring Rittō, Moriyama, Yasu, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.