Tokaido Maisaka-juku Waki-honjin Myogaya (東海道舞坂宿脇本陣茗荷屋)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This is the remains of a waki-honjin (secondary lodge for daimyo and nobles) in Maisaka-juku, a post-station town on the old Tokaido Highway. The building, constructed in 1838 (Tenpo 9), has been restored, and you can even view the 'jodan-no-ma,' the raised room where feudal lords and court nobles once stayed. It is said to be the only surviving waki-honjin building among the old Tokaido's post stations, making it a precious spot where you can feel the atmosphere of a post-station town firsthand. Seeing the tatami rooms, transom carvings, and garden layout up close makes it a hands-on lesson for children who have learned about post-station towns in social studies class. Admission is free, and since the building is compact, it can be toured quickly even with small children.

Tips

Admission is free. During hours when a volunteer guide is present, you can hear explanations about life in the post-station town. Since you'll be walking on tatami mats, shoes that are easy to slip on and off are convenient. Opening days and hours may vary by season, so it's a good idea to check with Hamamatsu City's tourism information before visiting. The surrounding area has the narrow old Tokaido streets, so if driving, use the designated parking lot.

Best time to visit

About 40 minutes. The quiet early-morning hours allow for an unhurried visit

Access & map

2091 Maisaka, Maisaka-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka 431-0211