Hino: Traces of the Shinsengumi and the Edo Period

In the municipality of Hino, you can encounter historical traces of Hino-juku, the Kōshū Road and the Shinsengumi at a preserved honjin, an elaborately decorated shrine and various exhibitions. These places offer different ways to explore the past. Buildings, names and exhibits each highlight different aspects. You can tailor the cultural side of your stay according to whether you are more interested in architecture, historical figures or a thematic overview.

Hino-juku and the Shinsengumi

The Hino-juku Honjin is the only surviving honjin building in Tokyo built during the Edo period. It was the former residence of Sato Hikogoro, a supporter of the Shinsengumi. Kondo Isami, Hijikata Toshizo and Inoue Genzaburo visited the house.

The main building of Hino Yasaka Shrine also shows how history can be experienced through individual structures: it was rebuilt in 1800 and made of solid zelkova wood. Carvings adorn its walls, columns, beams and railings, extending across several parts of the building. The shrine also houses a votive tablet donated in 1858 by 23 members of the Tennen Rishin-ryu from Hino-juku. The donors included Shimazaki (Kondo) Isami, Okita Sojiro (Soji), Sato Hikogoro, and Inoue Matsugoro and Genzaburo. While the honjin conveys the connection to Hikogoro Sato and his visitors, the tablet brings together a larger group of names.

Exhibitions on Hino-juku and the Shinsengumi

The Hino-juku Exchange Hall houses a tourist information centre and an exhibition of local materials relating to Hino-juku, the Kōshū Road and the Shinsengumi. On the second floor, Hino-juku on the Kōshū Road is the main focus; the exhibition also introduces the Shinsengumi and modern-day Hino. A diorama of Hino-juku complements these themes. If you would like to visit the hall, check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

The Sato Hikogoro Shinsengumi Museum also focuses on specific objects. It displays newly discovered materials, including iron fans associated with Toshizo Hijikata and Hikogoro Sato. This gives the museum a different approach from the architecture of the honjin and shrine: here, the exhibits provide a tangible link to history.

Plan your stay around your interests

These different areas of focus can help guide your choice of holiday rental in Hino. The honjin and Yasaka Shrine connect historical figures with buildings and details; the exchange hall brings several themes together in one exhibition, while the museum focuses on individual objects. Consider which of these perspectives you would like to explore during your stay, then compare the location of your accommodation with your own travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Meguro, Bunkyō, Machida, Tama, Nerima, Edogawa, Ogasawara, Chōfu.

For the main travel overview: Tokyo.