Yokohama to Kusatsu train with JR Central

Information about the Yokohama to Kusatsu train route

The train from Yokohama to Kusatsu is a rewarding journey through central Japan, connecting the cosmopolitan port city of Yokohama with the quieter lakeside city of Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture. Yokohama Station is located at 2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0011, while Kusatsu Station sits at 1-1-1 Shibukawa, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture 525-0025.

The route from Yokohama to Kusatsu by train typically involves traveling west along the Tokaido Shinkansen corridor, with a connection via Kyoto or Maibara before switching to a local or rapid service on the JR Biwako Line into Kusatsu. Kusatsu is a convenient and often overlooked base for exploring the wider Shiga Prefecture, including the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, as well as easy access to Kyoto and Nara. The city has a relaxed, authentic character that stands in pleasant contrast to the busy tourist centers nearby.

For travelers making multiple train journeys across Japan, a JR Pass can cover the Shinkansen portion of this route as well as the onward JR Biwako Line connection, making it one of the more efficient pass combinations available.

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.

Yokohama to Kusatsu by train: what to expect on board

Traveling from Yokohama to Kusatsu by train is a comfortable experience that combines the speed and refinement of the Shinkansen with a more relaxed regional leg into Shiga Prefecture.

Shinkansen segment

The Shinkansen portion of the journey is typically operated by Hikari or Kodama services along the Tokaido Shinkansen line. For travelers using a JR Pass, the Hikari is the recommended choice, it covers the route efficiently and is fully included under the pass without any surcharge.

Best seats for the view

One of the most celebrated highlights of this corridor is a potential sighting of Mount Fuji on a clear day. To give yourself the best chance:

• Sit on the left-hand side of the train (A or B window seats) when traveling westbound from Yokohama.
• The clearest views typically appear around the Shin-Fuji and Shizuoka area, roughly 30 to 45 minutes after departing Yokohama.
• October through February offers the sharpest mountain views, particularly on crisp morning services when the snow-capped peak stands out against clear skies.

On-board experience

The Shinkansen is punctual, quiet, and exceptionally clean. A trolley service passes through the carriages offering drinks, snacks, and bento boxes. That said, picking up an ekiben (a station bento box) at Yokohama Station before boarding is a more satisfying and distinctly Japanese way to enjoy the journey. The regional JR Biwako Line section into Kusatsu is pleasant and unhurried, passing through the green, flat landscape that borders Lake Biwa.

Best time of year to travel

• Spring (late March to early May): Cherry blossom season transforms Shiga Prefecture beautifully. Lake Biwa's shores and local parks around Kusatsu are particularly scenic, but trains and accommodation fill up quickly, plan ahead.
• Autumn (mid-October to late November): Foliage season brings rich colors to the hillsides around Shiga and Kyoto. One of the best times to visit the region overall.
• Winter (December to February): Quieter crowds, lower prices, and the best conditions for spotting Mount Fuji along the Shinkansen corridor.
• Summer (July to August): Lake Biwa becomes a popular destination for Japanese domestic travelers. Expect busier trains, especially during the Obon holiday period in mid-August.

Getting to Kusatsu and beyond

Kusatsu Station on the JR Biwako Line is well connected for onward travel throughout Shiga Prefecture and the broader Kansai region, making it a practical base even if you plan to explore well beyond the city itself.

Within Kusatsu

Local buses operate from the area around Kusatsu Station and serve the city's main neighborhoods and attractions, including Kusatsu-juku, one of the best-preserved post towns along the historic Tokaido road. The city is also reasonably cycle-friendly, and rental bicycles are available near the station, a popular way to explore the flat terrain around the lake at a leisurely pace.

Day trips and regional connections

Kusatsu's position on the JR Biwako Line makes it an excellent launchpad for the surrounding region:

• Kyoto, a quick and frequent connection, ideal for day trips to temples, shrines, and the Gion district.
• Osaka, reachable via a direct or one-change service, offering easy access to the city's food scene and neighborhoods.
• Nara, accessible via Kyoto, with the famous deer park and Todai-ji temple well worth the short onward journey.
• Hikone, a short ride north along the Biwako Line, home to one of Japan's most original surviving castles, Hikone Castle.
• Otsu, the prefectural capital of Shiga, located just one stop toward Kyoto, with lakeside scenery and the historic Miidera Temple.

The JR Pass remains valid across these Biwako Line connections, making Kusatsu a smart and cost-effective hub for a broader Kansai and Shiga itinerary.

What to expect when you arrive in Kusatsu

Kusatsu Station is a mid-sized regional station with a calm, easy-to-navigate atmosphere that feels immediately different from the larger urban hubs of Osaka or Kyoto. Both east and west exits are accessible from the main concourse, with the west exit serving the city center and most points of interest.

Practical information at the station

• Tourist information: A local tourist information desk is available at the station and can provide maps and guidance for exploring Kusatsu and the wider Lake Biwa area, including English-language materials.
• Luggage storage: Coin lockers are available at the station in a range of sizes. For larger bags, luggage forwarding services (takuhaibin) can arrange next-day delivery to your hotel or onward destination, a useful option if you plan to visit Kyoto or other nearby cities before checking in.
• Currency and connectivity: ATMs accepting international cards can be found near the station. Japan Post and convenience store ATMs such as 7-Eleven and Lawson are among the most reliable options for overseas cards. Wi-Fi access is available at the station building.

Arriving in Kusatsu for the first time

Kusatsu rewards visitors who take the time to look beyond its modern suburban exterior. The Kusatsu-juku honjin, a remarkably intact Edo-period inn that once hosted feudal lords traveling the Tokaido, sits just a short walk from the station and offers genuine insight into Japan's pre-modern travel culture. Lake Biwa, the vast freshwater lake that defines Shiga Prefecture, is easily reachable by bus or bicycle and provides a striking natural backdrop to the city.

Taxis are available outside the station's main exit. The city has a low-key, residential feel that many travelers find refreshing after the intensity of Tokyo or Osaka, it is the kind of place that invites you to slow down, explore on foot, and discover a more everyday side of Japanese life.