JA Lake Shiga Kusatsu Vegetable Center

The JA Lake Shiga Kusatsu Vegetable Center operates within one of Japan's most productive agricultural regions. Located in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture's second most populous municipality, the center sits along the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. The facility represents the agricultural cooperative system (JA - Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) that has supported local farming communities since the post-war agricultural reforms.

Kusatsu City benefits from exceptional growing conditions with fertile alluvial soil, a temperate climate, and abundant water resources from Lake Biwa. The region houses one of the largest greenhouse clusters in the Kinki region, making it a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the greater Kansai area including Kyoto and Osaka. The center showcases modern Japanese agricultural techniques including hydroponic systems and climate-controlled cultivation methods that allow year-round production.

Visitors can experience hands-on agricultural activities including vegetable harvesting, packaging demonstrations, and educational tours through the greenhouse facilities. The center typically offers seasonal programs featuring strawberry picking, leafy greens harvesting, and traditional farming technique demonstrations. Fresh produce direct sales allow visitors to purchase locally grown vegetables at farm prices, while the on-site restaurant serves dishes prepared with ingredients harvested the same day.

The facility is accessible via JR Tokaido Line to Kusatsu Station, followed by local bus service or taxi. The center is approximately 15 kilometers south of Kyoto and can be reached by car via National Route 1. Free parking is typically available for visitors. Admission fees vary by season and activity, with basic facility tours generally priced between 300-500 yen for adults, while hands-on experiences like strawberry picking command premium rates of 1,000-2,000 yen depending on the season.