A Must-See for Sake Lovers! A Day Trip Itinerary From Kyoto to Shiga's Sake Breweries

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.

Minami-Kusatsu Station is within walking distance of restaurants and accommodations such as ``Urban Hotel Minami-Kusatsu'' and ``Toyoko Inn Biwako Line Minami-Kusatsu Station West Exit'', and it is also conveniently located, approximately 17 minutes by train from Kyoto Station (if using the special rapid train). Excellent in sex. In addition, there are tourist pamphlets for Kusatsu City on the pamphlet rack on the premises.

This stone signpost was erected in 1798 under the eaves of an old rice cake shop at the junction of the Tokaido and Yabashi roads, and was intended to guide travelers on the Tokaido to the Yabashi ferry.
※ The Signpost（Yagura） is drawn in the right corner of the Ubagamochi shop, a Kusatsu specialty, in the "Kusatsu of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido"

The Kusatsu River, which originates from Mt. Konzeyama, is a ``Tenjyougawa'' river, which is rare in Japan and whose bottom is higher than private houses, and it seems to have been formed since the late Edo period. This is a sake brewery that grew up in Kusatsu-juku, the confluence of the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads, along with the post town. A sake brewery within walking distance from the station, which is rare in the prefecture. Please come and have a taste.

A shrine with a history of over 1200 years. Since Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Great General of the Conquerors, prayed to this shrine when suppressing the Tohoku region, it has been worshiped as a shrine for warding off evil spirits and for traffic safety. Facing the Tokaido, it is said that during the Edo period, feudal lords and travelers prayed for safety along the way.

The first floor is a store and the second floor is a gallery, where you can see hanging scrolls owned by the Ota family and other items related to Lord Dokan. Ota Sake Brewery is a comprehensive alcoholic beverage manufacturer that focuses on ingredients sourced from Shiga Prefecture and produces sake, as well as shochu and wine. The sake brewery is located at the back of the store, and you can tour it by making a reservation in advance during the off-season.　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

This place, where there is a signpost inscribed with "Right: Tokaido Ise-michi, Left: Nakasendo Beautiful Road," is exactly where the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads branch off and join.
This place used to be called Oiwakemitsuke in Kusatsu-juku, and even today there remains a firelight with a firebox that was donated by the heads of the regular couriers who traveled the highway from various provinces. It is a designated cultural property of Kusatsu City.

Arrived at JR Kusatsu Station!

If the hotels around Kyoto Station are full, please feel free to use the hotels around Kusatsu Station and Minami Kusatsu Station.