Kusatsu: Following the Tōkaidō Post Station

Kusatsu tells the story of a historic transportation hub: at Kusatsu-juku, the Tōkaidō and Nakasendō routes met and diverged. As the 52nd post station in the series of Tōkaidō inns, Kusatsu-juku was part of a long succession of places to stay along the route; traces of the former post station can still be seen on its streets. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Kusatsu can choose a location based on their own interests in history and culture. Building history, a historical model, and traditional performing arts offer different ways to explore travel in the Edo period.

The Honjin and Its History

At the Kusatsu-juku Honjin, you can see just how carefully the former facilities for rest and overnight stays were regulated. During the Edo period, only daimyō, court nobles, shogunate officials, and other privileged people were allowed to stay or rest there. The building retains its historic appearance and is one of the largest surviving Honjin buildings in Japan. Its architecture and use can be considered together: on the one hand, there is the preserved structure; on the other, the clearly restricted group of guests at the time. The Tanaka Shichizaemon family is also part of the Honjin’s history. He is said to have been appointed head of the Honjin in 1635; his family held the position for generations until the Honjin system was abolished in 1870. The Honjin thus brings together a preserved architectural form and an official history passed down through generations.

Insights and Experiences from the Edo Period

The Kusatsu-juku Kaido Exchange Museum offers another perspective. On the second floor, a 1:200 scale model depicts Kusatsu-juku in the Edo period. The scale makes the display easy to understand; individual exhibits may change, so it is worth checking the current exhibition details before your visit. In the 旅体験コーナー, visitors can put on traditional travel clothing and carry a palanquin to experience what a journey in the Edo period was like. If you plan to take part in this hands-on activity, check the current details before your visit.

The Honjin Rakuzaza program is also held at the Kusatsu-juku Honjin: traditional performing arts are presented on the first Saturday of each month. It offers a different experience from the hands-on activity at the museum: here, the performance takes center stage, while there, visitors recreate an Edo-period journey through clothing and a palanquin. Check the latest event details before your trip.

Shrine, Milestone, and Natural Monument

Tachiki Shrine stands along the former Tōkaidō and has a history stretching back more than 1,200 years. The grounds are home to an old stone milestone. Its inscription gives November 1680 as the date it was erected; it is considered the oldest old stone milestone in Shiga Prefecture. Also on the grounds is an ubajirogashi, a large tree estimated to be 400 years old and designated a prefectural natural monument. The history here can be traced through different features: the shrine’s long history, the dated inscription, and the old tree.

Getting Your Bearings During Your Stay

Kusatsu Yume Honjin has a tourist information center, a rest area, a tatami room, a nursing room, and a community FM station. Volunteer tour guides are based there. For families with infants, the nursing room is a particularly useful point of reference; the rest area and tatami room complement the other facilities mentioned. Those considering Kusatsu as a travel destination can choose from historic buildings, exhibitions and hands-on activities, and cultural events, and factor their own interests into their accommodation plans.

Discover More Destinations

Takashima, Maibara, Konan, Higashiōmi, Ritto, Hikone, Ōtsu and Ōmihachiman.

Back to the main travel overview: Shiga Prefecture.