名神高速道路
In the Edo era, Kusatsu developed as a junction shukuba of Tōkaidō and Nakasendō, Kusatsu-juku. The city and its adjoining city Rittō are still an important traffic junction of southern Shiga; Biwako Line, Kusatsu Line, Meishin Expressway, Shin-Meishin Expressway, Japan National Route 1 and Japan National Route 8. Kusatsu is a regional commercial center next to the capital, Ōtsu.