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Life in Kusatsu&Kyoto
Kyoto
While many know Kyoto as the cultural epicenter of Japan, most are surprised to find that it is also the country’s foremost university town. With 25 universities operating in the city, Kyoto’s 140,000 students account for nearly 10% of the overall population. This diversity creates a unique atmosphere where ancient culture, values, and tradition exist side-by-side with contemporary culture, cutting-edge research and industry, and the latest technology. Kyoto is unique in the fact that you can meditate in a Zen temple, shop for the latest fashions, visit the headquarters of Nintendo®, walk through a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or dance the night away all without leaving the city limits.
When you need to take a break from studying, Kyoto provides a multitude of sanctuaries, beginning with the nearly 2000 temples and shrines that make it famous. Many students can be found relaxing along the banks of the Kamo River on weekends, where nearly 5 miles/8 kilometers of riverfront provide a perfect backdrop to go for a run, throw the Frisbee, read a book, or just hang out with new friends from around the world.
While everything a university student could need is available in Kyoto, when you are ready for a change of scenery, Kobe and Osaka are both located within a 60 minute train ride. The Tokaido Shinkansen Line also makes travel to Tokyo, Nagoya, Hiroshima, and Hakata easy.
So come to join us and experience life in Kyoto—the perfect place to get the most out of what Japan has to offer.
Kusatsu
Kusatsu and the surrounding Prefecture of Shiga is one of the Kansai region’s hidden gems. Its proximity to Kyoto and the fact that it is home to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, have made it an important crossroads of culture and industry throughout history. The culture of Kusatsu can still be experienced at locations like Hikone Castle and Ishiyama Temple, where the Tale of Genji was written, while its industrial advancement is showcased by the technological centers of companies like Panasonic and IBM Japan.
Life in Kusatsu takes a step away from the hustle and bustle often associated with the bright lights and bullet trains of Japan and instead moves one step closer to what life is like for the average Japanese. As you ride the local train line you will find yourself alongside businessmen, farmers, housewives, and schoolchildren as picturesque rice fields, the coast of Lake Biwa, and the Hira Mountains speed past outside the window.
The Kusatsu area truly has something for everyone. Lake Biwa and the Hira Mountains provide endless options for outdoor recreation and getting away from it all, whether you like to camp, cycle, swim, fish, windsurf, hike, or just barbeque on the beach. When you need to get back to the big city, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe are all within easy access by train.
So come find yourself among the riches of Kusatsu—the perfect place to experience the real Japan.