Station Kusatsu

Discover the Heart of Shiga’s Natural Beauty

Nestled along the scenic Sazanami Road at the gateway to the Urami Peninsula, Kusatsu roadside station offers a serene retreat where the grandeur of Lake Biwa meets the tranquil slopes of Mount Hiei, Mount Hiei, and Mount Omi Fuji. Once a bustling post town at the crossroads of the Tōkaidō and Nakasendō, Kusatsu today thrives as a vibrant cultural and agricultural hub.

The station features a charming green-roofed pavilion housing a cozy café serving seasonal specialties like lotus-based dishes, local rice onigiri, and a unique "ao-bana" flower-flavored soft serve. Visitors can shop fresh, locally grown produce, including the region’s prized rice—available by weight and even free-milled on-site. With a spacious lawn, panoramic viewing tower, and nearby experience farm Rock Bay Garden, Kusatsu is a perfect stop for travelers seeking authentic local flavors and scenic views.

Visit Kusatsu roadside station to experience the only place in the region where you can enjoy fresh, locally harvested lotus root dishes, including lotus root tempura and lotus root ramen, made from produce grown in the nearby wetlands. Savor the unique aoba flower powder soft serve, a signature treat made from the city’s official flower, and sample seasonal specialties like the exclusive "Lake Biwa furikake," developed with students from Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School. The station’s panoramic view from the lotus observation tower offers unmatched vistas of Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains, making it a rare destination where agriculture, local culture, and natural beauty converge.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 and 9:30 AM on weekdays to secure the day’s first batch of freshly milled near-loom rice, which is available in measured portions at the Vege Shop and often sells out by midday.

• Hidden Gems: Head to the Vege Shop’s back corner during the first week of October to find the limited-edition Punishment Lake Furiage (Punishment Lake Furiage), a seasonal rice seasoning developed in collaboration with Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School, available only during the new rice season.

• Weekend Special: On Sundays in October, attend the Harvest Festival & Kurasu Market held at the roadside station, where local farmers and producers showcase fresh seasonal vegetables, handmade crafts, and live music—arrive by 10:30 AM to get the best selection.

• Best Food Experience: Order the Aobana Soft Cream at the Vege Cafe before 11:00 AM, as it is made fresh daily using powdered flowers from the city’s official flower, Aobana, and is often sold out by noon.

• Unique Product: Purchase the Punishment Lake Furiage at the Vege Shop during the rice harvest season (late September to early October), as it is only available during this period and not stocked year-round.

• Parking Strategy: If visiting during the Inazuma Rock Festival on the Uramaru Peninsula, avoid parking in the roadside station’s main lot—use the adjacent Rock Bay Garden parking area instead, as it is fully reserved and only accessible with a prior ticket.

• Viewing Spot: Visit the Lotus Observation Tower (Lian Guan de Ta) between 4:00 and 5:00 PM on weekdays to experience the golden hour light over Lake Biwa with minimal crowds, especially when the sun sets behind Mount Hiei and Mount Mikami.

Spring (March-May): Fresh bamboo shoots available at the market in early spring, with canola flowers peaking in late March to April.

Summer (June-August): New rice harvest begins in late July, with roadside station open daily until 7 PM.

Autumn (September-November): Harvest festivals and farmers' markets held in October, featuring fresh rice and seasonal produce.

Winter (December-February): Limited seasonal events, but the scenic views of Lake Biwa and surrounding mountains remain accessible year-round.