Kusatsu-shuku Honjin (草津宿本陣)

Flow of the course

About this spot

The main inn remaining from Kusatsu-shuku, the 52nd station on the Tokaido route, this is one of the largest main inn structures still standing in Japan and is designated as a national historic site. The elegant upper chambers where feudal lords and nobility lodged, the connected tatami-mat guest rooms, and the spacious earthen kitchen that speaks to the bustle of the era are all on display, letting visitors viscerally experience travel during the Edo period. The inn's guest register (daifukucho) contains the names of historical figures, bringing the world from your textbook suddenly to life—a moment that can be quite moving. The compact layout makes it easy to tour on foot, perfect not only for history-loving children but also as an ideal first social studies field trip destination.

Tips

About 10 minutes' walk from JR Kusatsu Station along the former Tokaido route. Note that the inn is closed Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday). Visitors remove their shoes to view the tatami rooms; it's convenient to leave strollers at the entrance. Parking is limited, so using coin parking near the station or accessing on foot is recommended.

Best time to visit

Approximately 45 minutes. Early afternoon allows for relaxed, thorough viewing.

Access & map

〒525-0034 Shiga Prefecture, Kusatsu City, Kusatsu 1-2-8