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2025/05/18 - 2025/05/25
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A seasonal tourist guide for Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture! A comprehensive guide to recommended sightseeing spots, events, and the best time to see flowers
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Kusatsu City in Shiga Prefecture is a city that is conveniently located near Kyoto and has been gaining attention. It has a wide range of accommodations and restaurants, and is recommended for those who want to take a little time away from the crowds and relax. It is about 20 minutes by train (JR Biwako Line) from Kyoto. It is also about 50 minutes from Osaka Station. There is also a highway, so it is also convenient to access by car.
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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.
- Table of Contents
- About 20 minutes from Kyoto! What is Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture?
- A year in Kusatsu City
- April - Escape the crowds and enjoy the spectacular cherry blossoms -
- May - Don't miss the best time to see the wisteria! (Late April to early May) -
- June ~ Japan's largest collection of water lilies ~
- July ~ Enjoy the hidden fireworks! ~
- August ~Let's take some great photos!~
- September: "Inazuma Rock Festival 2024" will be held in Kusatsu City.
- October and November - Enjoy cycling around Lake Biwa!
- December ~ Come and celebrate Christmas here! ~
- January and February: Sake brewing season begins
About 20 minutes from Kyoto! What is Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture?
This is an annual schedule where you can enjoy beautiful flowers and various events throughout the year in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
A year in Kusatsu City
Kusatsu City is blessed with a relatively warm climate even within Shiga Prefecture. The area around Lake Biwa is lined with tranquil rural scenery, which harmonizes with the Hira and Hiei mountain ranges on the opposite shore of the lake, allowing you to enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons.
April - Escape the crowds and enjoy the spectacular cherry blossoms -
The average temperature in April is 13.7°C. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late March to early April! The cherry blossoms blooming in the grounds of a shrine with a long history on the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads and the 557 cherry blossom trees along the Kusatsu River are spectacular! At de Ai Hiroba, about 160 Somei Yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom. We also recommend cycling around the cherry blossoms!
The Kusatsu Shukuba Festival will be held in April. It is a festival for citizens to enjoy Kusatsu today, recreating the bustle of Kusatsu-shuku in the Edo period. It began in 1969 and will be held for the 56th time in 2024.
May - Don't miss the best time to see the wisteria! (Late April to early May) -
The average temperature in May is 19.9°C. Wisteria is in full bloom from late April to early May! The Sandai shrine are famous for their magnificent old wisteria, known as "sand-rubbed wisteria" because the spikes grow so long they rub against the ground. You can also collect goshuin stamps at the four wisteria-related shrines (Sandai shrine, Shina Shrine, Sosha Shrine, and Tachiki shrine). Why not try collecting goshuin stamps that are only available during this time of year?
Sandai shrine
525-0005 309 Shinacho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Sandai shrine located about 5km from Kusatsu Station. The magnificent old wisteria is famous for being called ``sand-rubbed wisteria'' because its ears grow so long that they rub against the ground. It blooms from late April to early May every year and is crowded with visitors. Beside the main shrine is a hexagonal pillar stone lantern from the Kamakura period, which is a nationally designated important cultural property and is a must-see.
Shina Shrine
525-0005 727 Shinacho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
At Shina Shrine, one of the ``Wisteria of Shina Misato'' (Sosha Shrine, Sandai shrine, and Shina Shrine), the wisteria is in full bloom from late April to early May.
Sosha Shrine
525-0006 238 Shinanakacho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
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)
Tachiki shrine
525-0034 4-1-3 Kusatsu, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
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.
Hotels near Tachiki shrine
June ~ Japan's largest collection of water lilies ~
The average temperature in June is 21.5℃. During this time, you should definitely visit the Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Garden Mizunomori to see the largest collection of water lilies in Japan!
Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Garden Mizunomori
525-0001 1091 Shimomono-cho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
One of the few aquatic plant parks in Japan, located on the Karasuma Peninsula on the shores of Lake Biwa, a treasure trove of aquatic plants. Inside the park, you can enjoy a variety of plants throughout the year, and the largest collection of water lilies in Japan is a must-see. The Lotus Hall also has a greenhouse and a restaurant where you can admire water lilies all year round.
July ~ Enjoy the hidden fireworks! ~
The average temperature in July is 27.6°C. The Kusatsu Yoshi Torch Festival is held in the latter half of July. The reeds are harvested in January, dried for half a year, stored until summer, and burned at the Kusatsu Yoshi Torch Festival to convey the importance of Mother Lake Biwa to many people. In 2024, on Saturday, July 27th, reed torches will light up the summer nights with fireworks in the sky.
August ~Let's take some great photos!~
The average temperature in August is 27.7℃. We recommend the Paraguayan water lily test ride event at Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Garden Mizunomori, which is very popular every year! There is a weight limit, but you can experience floating on the water by riding on a large water lily!
Kusatsu City Aquatic Botanical Garden Mizunomori
525-0001 1091 Shimomono-cho, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
One of the few aquatic plant parks in Japan, located on the Karasuma Peninsula on the shores of Lake Biwa, a treasure trove of aquatic plants. Inside the park, you can enjoy a variety of plants throughout the year, and the largest collection of water lilies in Japan is a must-see. The Lotus Hall also has a greenhouse and a restaurant where you can admire water lilies all year round.
September: "Inazuma Rock Festival 2024" will be held in Kusatsu City.
Inazuma Rock Fest 2024 September 21st (Sat) and September 22nd (Sun) For more details, please visit the official website!
Inazuma Rock Fest 2024 Official Website
October and November - Enjoy cycling around Lake Biwa!
Join this cycling event held in the refreshing months of October and November. The straight cycling route from Kusatsu city to Lake Biwa is very popular.
December ~ Come and celebrate Christmas here! ~
The average temperature in December is 5°C. During this time, giant Christmas boots appear in front of the Kusatsu Estopia Hotel near the station! Christmas boots (silver boots) are said to have originated from Kinsho Bussan Co., Ltd., located in the shopping arcade at the west exit of JR Kusatsu Station. "If we enlarge the small Santa shoes that decorate Christmas trees and fill them with sweets, everyone will be happy..." It all started with this idea from the previous generation, and Christmas boots have been manufactured for over 60 years since the 1950s. Currently, 2 million different types of Christmas boots are manufactured annually, and they have become an indispensable item during the Christmas season that has spread throughout Japan.
January and February: Sake brewing season begins
A recommended event for this time of year is a hike around sake breweries led by a volunteer guide. You can see long-established sake breweries that you rarely get to see. You can also sample the sake, so you might find your favorite sake.
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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