Kusatsu to Yokohama train with JR Central

Information about the Kusatsu to Yokohama train route

The train from Kusatsu to Yokohama connects two distinctly different corners of Japan, the quieter, lake-adjacent city of Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture with the sprawling, cosmopolitan port city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture. Kusatsu Station is located at 1-1-1 Shibukawa, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture 525-0025, while Yokohama Station sits at 2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0011.

This route is a great option for travelers moving between the Kansai region and the Greater Tokyo area. Kusatsu itself sits conveniently on the JR Biwako Line, with Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, nearby, making it a worthwhile stop for those exploring Shiga Prefecture before heading east. Yokohama, on the other hand, is Japan's second-largest city by population and home to the famous Minato Mirai waterfront district, Chinatown, the historic Yamate bluff area, and the lively Motomachi shopping street.

The most practical way to make this journey is by taking the JR Biwako Line from Kusatsu Station toward Kyoto or Shin-Osaka, and then connecting onto the Tokaido Shinkansen toward Tokyo, before switching to the JR Tokaido Line or Yokosuka Line to reach Yokohama Station. Travelers should plan their connection in advance to ensure a smooth transfer, particularly at Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, where the Shinkansen platforms are well-signposted in English.

We recommend using the JR Pass for traveling in trains all around Japan to save more money if you plan to do many trips. You can check the correct prices for every station or shinkansen connection in Omio's JR Pass information.

Kusatsu to Yokohama by train: what to expect on board

The journey from Kusatsu to Yokohama involves a combination of regional rail and Shinkansen travel, each offering its own distinct on-board experience.

On the regional leg

The JR Biwako Line from Kusatsu toward Kyoto is a standard commuter and regional express service, clean, reliable, and a good chance to watch the Shiga countryside gradually give way to the urban sprawl of Kyoto. Seating is typically unreserved on this portion, so boarding early at Kusatsu Station gives you the best pick of window seats.

On the Tokaido Shinkansen

Once aboard the Shinkansen from Kyoto or Shin-Osaka, the experience steps up considerably. The bullet train is punctual, whisper-quiet, and impressively smooth even at high speed.

• Ordinary (standard) class is entirely comfortable for this journey and suitable for most travelers.
• Green Car (first class) offers wider reclining seats and a notably quieter carriage, a worthwhile upgrade if you prefer extra comfort on the longer Shinkansen leg.

Best seats for the view

• Traveling eastbound toward Yokohama, sit on the left-hand side of the train (A or B window seats) for the best chance of spotting Mount Fuji on a clear day.
• The mountain typically comes into view in the Shizuoka area, roughly an hour or more after departing Kyoto, and appears clearly on crisp, cloud-free mornings.
• October through February consistently delivers the clearest Fuji views, particularly in the early morning hours when atmospheric haze is at its lowest.

On-board comforts

A trolley service passes through the Shinkansen carriages offering drinks, hot green tea, and snacks. However, picking up an ekiben (station bento box) at Kyoto Station before boarding is a far more satisfying option and a genuine travel ritual in Japan. Kyoto Station has a wide selection of regional bento boxes across multiple concourse shops.

Best time of year to travel

• Spring (late March to early May): Cherry blossoms make both the Kansai and Yokohama regions especially beautiful. The Yokohama Yamate area and Sankei-en Garden are particularly impressive in bloom. Book ahead, as this is peak travel season across Japan.
• Autumn (mid-October to late November): Autumn foliage along the route and in both regions is stunning. Demand on the Shinkansen is high, and early reservation is strongly advised.
• Winter (December to February): Fewer crowds and the highest chance of clear skies for Mount Fuji views from the train. Yokohama's winter illumination events, including the Minato Mirai lights, are an added draw.
• Summer (July to August): Busy across the board. The Obon holiday period in mid-August sees very high demand on all Shinkansen routes, plan well in advance if traveling during this window.

Getting to Yokohama and beyond

Yokohama Station is one of the busiest and best-connected rail hubs in Japan, sitting at the intersection of multiple JR and private rail lines. Onward travel from here is seamless in every direction.

Within Yokohama

From Yokohama Station, the city's main attractions spread outward across several easily navigable neighborhoods:

• The Minato Mirai subway line provides direct access to the Minato Mirai 21 waterfront district, Chinatown (Motomachi-Chukagai Station), and the Yamate bluff area, ideal for first-time visitors.
• The JR Negishi Line connects Yokohama Station to Kannai, the historic city center, and Isogo further south.
• City buses and taxis are plentiful outside all major station exits for reaching areas not served directly by rail.

Day trips and regional connections

Yokohama's position within the Greater Tokyo rail network makes it an outstanding base for wider exploration:

• Tokyo, easily accessible in under 30 minutes via the JR Tokaido Line, Keikyu Line, or Tokyu Toyoko Line, providing direct connections to Shibuya, Shinjuku, and beyond.
• Kamakura, approximately 50 minutes by the JR Yokosuka Line, with the Great Buddha and coastal temples well worth a half-day visit.
• Hakone, reachable in around one hour via the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku or by a combination of JR and Hakone Tozan Railway from Odawara, offering views of Mount Fuji and natural hot spring resorts.
• Nikko, a longer but rewarding day trip of around two hours by JR and Tobu lines from Tokyo, featuring ornate mountain shrines and forested trails.

If you are continuing your Japan journey northward, the JR Pass remains valid on Shinkansen and limited express services connecting Yokohama and Tokyo to destinations such as Sendai, Nikko, and beyond.

What to expect when you arrive in Yokohama

Yokohama Station (2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0011) is a large, modern transport hub that can feel overwhelming on first arrival, but it is well-organized and comprehensively signposted in both Japanese and English.

Practical information at the station

• Tourist information: The Yokohama Tourist Information Center is conveniently located near the station's east exit and provides maps, transport guidance, and sightseeing advice in multiple languages.
• Luggage storage: Coin lockers in a range of sizes are available throughout the station. For larger bags, luggage forwarding (takuhaibin) services allow you to send your luggage ahead to your hotel or the airport, particularly useful if you plan to explore Minato Mirai or Chinatown before checking in.
• Currency and connectivity: Japan Post and 7-Eleven ATMs within and near the station reliably accept international cards. Free Wi-Fi is available across the station building.

Arriving in Yokohama for the first time

Yokohama is a city that rewards exploration on foot once you reach its main districts. The east exit of Yokohama Station opens toward the Minato Mirai area, where the Landmark Tower, the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel, and the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse are all within easy walking distance along the waterfront promenade.

Chinatown, the largest in Japan, is a short subway or bus ride from the station and is best experienced in the early evening when the lantern-lit streets come alive with restaurants and street food vendors. The Yamate district, a short ride further on the Minato Mirai line, offers a quieter, more contemplative side of Yokohama, with Western-style historic residences and panoramic views over the harbor.

For travelers arriving in the evening, the illuminated waterfront skyline along Minato Mirai makes for an immediate and memorable first impression of the city.