Major city · Japan
Kusatsu, Shiga草津市
Half a day: the Lake Biwa Museum and the honjin museum, then move on. Not a base — use Kyoto or Otsu for longer stays.
Kusatsu was a crossroads on the Nakasendō and Tōkaidō roads. Today it is a commuter city between Kyoto and Nagoya, with two worthwhile stops: the Lake Biwa Museum and the Kusatsu-juku honjin. Most travellers pass through on the JR Tōkaidō Line; one afternoon is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airports
- KIX · NGO
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kusatsu, Shiga110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kusatsu, Shiga, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKIX Kansai International (JR Haruka to Kyoto, then local train to Kusatsu; about 1 h 45 min).
- Getting aroundWalk between Kusatsu Station and the honjin museum (10 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥350–600 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (ramen or soba)¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9)
- Beerdraught in an izakaya / can at a konbini¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Museum or sight ticketLake Biwa Museum entry¥500 (≈ US$4) (check)
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KIX Kansai International (JR Haruka to Kyoto, then local train to Kusatsu; about 1 h 45 min) · NGO Chubu Centrair (Meitetsu to Nagoya, then Shinkansen to Kyoto and local to Kusatsu; about 2 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kusatsu, Shiga: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between Kusatsu Station and the honjin museum (10 min). The Lake Biwa Museum is a 20-min walk from Minami-Kusatsu Station or a short bus ride. Local buses cover the city; a day pass costs about ¥600 (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15 min
JR Tōkaidō Line, 5 min
Enryaku-ji temple complex on Mount Hiei; a full day if you hike.
Door to door: 35 min
JR Tōkaidō Line, about 25 min
Original castle keep and a samurai garden; go at opening.
Door to door: 25 min
JR Tōkaidō Line, about 15 min
Canal district and merchant houses; half a day.
Door to door: 40 min
Kusatsu Line, about 30 min
Ninja museum and historic villages; check opening days.
Door to door: 40 min
JR Tōkaidō Line, about 30 min
Castle and Kurokabe glass shops; half a day.
Maibara
goDoor to door: 45 min
JR Tōkaidō Line, about 35 min
Lake Biwa ferry port and the Omi-Takashima area.
Ryuo
skipDoor to door: 30 min
JR Tōkaidō Line, about 20 min
Small town with a few temples; not worth a separate trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kusatsu Station area
Business hotels and a few mins from the train; convenient for a single night.
Minami-Kusatsu Station area
Quieter, near the Lake Biwa Museum; fewer dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥16,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| JR Tōkaidō Line Kusatsu → Kyoto, one way2 × ¥580 · check | ¥1,160 |
| Local bus day pass2 × ¥600 · check | ¥1,200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,440 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,400 per person per day, bed included | ¥48,800≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥350–600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Ubaga-mochi (one piece)check | ¥150–250 (≈ US$2) |
| Noodle soup (ramen or soba) | ¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer: draught in an izakaya / can at a konbini | ¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM. | ¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| JR ride Kusatsu → Kyoto | ¥580 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Lake Biwa Museum entry | ¥500 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Kusatsu-juku honjin Museum entry | ¥300 (≈ US$3) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The honjin museum is small and may close early (check hours).
- Lake Biwa Museum is closed on Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a holiday).
- Last trains on the Tōkaidō Line run around midnight; taxis are available at the station.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Kusatsu, Shiga草津市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Osaka; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kusatsu Station → Kyoto Station, JR: about ¥580 (≈ US$4), 15 min (check)
- Kusatsu Station → Minami-Kusatsu Station, JR: about ¥200 (≈ US$2), 3 min (check)
- Taxi Kusatsu Station → Lake Biwa Museum: ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kusatsu, Shiga. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Lake Biwa Museum and Kusatsu-juku honjin with verified hours and ticket prices.
- Walking route from Kusatsu Station to the honjin and the water botanical garden.
- Eat page for ubaga-mochi with shop hours and last orders.
Sources
Ask about Kusatsu, Shiga
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