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2025/04/14 - 2025/04/21
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A Day Trip from Kyoto: A Classic Itinerary to Enjoy the Splendid Wisteria and Japanese Shrines
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Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, is home to the three major wisteria viewing spots known as the "Wisteria of Shina Sango" (Sandai shrine, Shina Shrine, and Soja Shrine). The wisteria at the Sandai shrine is particularly known as the "Sand-rubbed Wisteria" because the spikes grow so long they touch the ground, and the area is bustling with visitors every year. The wisteria usually blooms between mid-April and early May. Take a bus from Kusatsu Station, about a 20-minute train ride from Kyoto Stati...
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This site introduces tourist information for Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It is packed with information on attractive spots, hotels, and gourmet food, such as the nature-filled aquatic plant park Mizunomori, Lake Biwa Museum, the historic Tachiki shrine and the Sandai shrine, Kusatsujuku Honjin, and Rokuha Park, which is fun for the whole family.
Required time
Travel time: Approximately 140 minutes (by bus)
Transportation
Train ｜
Bus ｜
On foot
Recommended for sightseeing around Lake Biwa! Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Kusatsu City in Shiga Prefecture is a popular destination that is conveniently located near Kyoto. There are plenty of accommodations and restaurants, and you can enjoy sightseeing around Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. It's a great place to get away from the crowds and relax.
1
Kyoto Station
From JR Kyoto Station, where the Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Kyoto Line, Kintetsu Line, and subway lines intersect, take the JR Biwako Line to Kusatsu Station.
Take the JR Biwako Line. The journey takes about 20 minutes on the special rapid service.
2
JR Biwako Line ・Kusatsu Line Kusatsu Station
Kusatsu Station is served by the JR Biwako Line (Tokaido Main Line) and the JR Kusatsu Line, and is one of the busiest stations in Shiga Prefecture. Many local and express buses also stop here, and bicycle rentals (Eki-Rin-kun) are also available. There is a Kusatsu City Tourist Information Center on the premises, where you can get tourist brochures about the city.
From the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station, take the No. 2 bus stop and get on the Omi Railway/Koku Bus bound for Mizunomori Aquatic Botanical Garden (350 yen for adults)
After getting off at "Anamura", it is about a 6-minute walk.
After getting off at "Anamura", it is about a 6-minute walk.
3
Sosha Shrine
According to the ``Origin of Sosha Ofuji'' on the grounds, it began when wisteria was offered to Emperor Tenmu to pray for his protection from illness and prolonging his life and the rise of Buddhism. The tree is about 500 years old, and every year it is in full bloom with flower clusters that are 5 shaku (approx. 1.5 m) long. (Best time to see: late April to early May)
Approximately 10 minutes on foot
4
Sandai shrine
This is Sandai shrine located about 5km from Kusatsu Station. It is famous for its beautiful old wisteria, which is called "Sunabizuri no Wisteria" (Sand-rubbed Wisteria) because the spikes grow so long that they rub against the ground. It blooms every year from late April to early May, and is lit up at night during the Wisteria Festival. The tour takes about 30 minutes.
Approximately 15 minutes on foot
5
Shina Shrine
At Shina Shrine, one of the "Wisterias of the Three Shinato Villages" (Sousha Shrine, the Sandai shrine, and Shina Shrine), the wisteria reaches its peak from late April to early May.
About a 20-minute walk, then take the Ohmi Railway/Koku Bus bound for JR Kusatsu Station West Exit at Kita-Ogaya (280 yen for adults)
6
JR Biwako Line ・Kusatsu Line Kusatsu Station
Arrived at JR Kusatsu Station!
The journey takes about 20 minutes on the JR Biwako Line New Rapid Service.
7
Kyoto Station
If the hotels around Kyoto Station are full, please feel free to use the hotels around Kusatsu Station and Minami Kusatsu Station.
Did you enjoy your trip to the famous wisteria spots in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture? In addition to the spots introduced in this model itinerary, there are many other attractions around Kusatsu Station, including Lake Biwa and other sightseeing spots and gourmet food. In addition to sightseeing, why not try staying at a lodging facility to relax?
Spots introduced in this itinerary
This site introduces tourist information for Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It is packed with information on attractive spots, hotels, and gourmet food, such as the nature-filled aquatic plant park Mizunomori, Lake Biwa Museum, the historic Tachiki shrine and the Sandai shrine, Kusatsujuku Honjin, and Rokuha Park, which is fun for the whole family.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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