 Most viewed - Kusatsu-juku 草津宿 |
Kusatsu-juku was the fifty-second station on the Tokaido Road (following Ishibe-juku) and the sixty-eighth station (following Moriyama-juku) on the Nakasendo Road. During the Edo Period, Kusatsu was an important post town at the crossroads of both roads.354 viewsThe roof is shaped like a Honjin lodge, with a gate. 草津駅
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Kusatsu-juku (69th post town on the Nakasendo) from his Kisokaido series. 236 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin. the Honjin was the town's most luxurious accommodation catering to society's elite like daimyo warlords, Imperial family members including the emperor, and other dignitaries. National Historic Site196 viewsAt stage towns along the major roads like the Nakasendo and Tokaido, the Honjin was the town's most luxurious accommodation catering to society's elite like daimyo warlords, Imperial family members including the emperor, and other dignitaries. It operated during 1635 to 1870. The Honjin is now a museum.
This Honjin in Kusatsu is a very impressive example of traditional architecture. It is designated as a National Historical Place. It underwent a complete renovation and reconstruction during 1989 to 1995. (In case you wonder why such an old building looks so new.) Admission 200 yen. 10-min. walk from Kusatsu Station.
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Kusatsu town map. Kusatsu basically developed along the old Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads as they intersected before going on to Kyoto, Shiga's neighboring prefecture.183 views
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Waki Honjin souvenir shop and restaurant157 views脇本陣
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JR Kusatsu Station150 views
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Temple with road marker149 views
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Closeup of road marker indicating the Tokaido Road to the right and Nakasendo to the left.144 views
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Jodan no Ma - Kusatsu-juku Honjin. The Gyokuza raised tatami mats was where the lord or Emperor slept or sat. 上段の間142 viewsReserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc.
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin on the Tokaido Road. MAP139 views
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Kusatsu River135 views
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Oiwake Guidepost road marker at the intersection of the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads. The left side says "Left for Nakasendo Road" and the right side says "Right for Tokaido Road."131 views
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Genkan Hiroma entrance hall straight ahead. It was the entrance for daimyo feudal lords. 玄関広間131 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin entrance. This Honjin in Kusatsu is a very impressive example of traditional architecture. It is designated as a National Historical Place. It underwent a complete renovation and reconstruction during 1989 to 1995. Admission 200 yen.128 views
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Jodan no Ma: Kusatsu-juku Honjin's best room in the house. Reserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc. 上段の間128 views
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Urinal (made of lacquered wood) for warlords. The room has two tatami mats. Right below the urinal is a bamboo mat. Above is a small shoji paper window to provide light.127 views
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Toilet (made of lacquered wood) for warlords. This is a separate room adjacent to the urinal. It also has two tatami mats. The walls are plain and not decorated. The toilet had a box which was likely replaced each time it was used. 上段雪隠126 viewsThis is a separate room adjacent to the urinal. It also has two tatami mats. The walls are plain and not decorated. The toilet had a box which was likely replaced each time it was used.
Jodan settin
上段雪隠
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Model of the town at the Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 124 views草津街道交流館
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Road marker at the intersection of the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads123 viewsThis tunnel goes under the Kusatsu River.
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin guest book. See the names of Kira and Lord Asano both of whom once lodged at this Honjin (at different times). These two men later became adversaries which led to the legendary chushingura or vendetta of the 47 masterless samurai. 大122 viewsYou can see the names of Kira and Lord Asano both of whom once lodged at this Honjin (at different times). These two men later became adversaries which led to the legendary chushingura or vendetta of the 47 masterless samurai.
大福帳
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Palanquin at Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 草津街道交流館122 viewsFor photos.
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Jodan no Ma - Kusatsu-juku Honjin's best room in the house. Reserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc. 上段の間120 views
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Sekifuda name plates in Genkan Hiroma entrance hall. This is what you see when you enter the Honjin through the Genkan Hiroma entrance hall. The name plate for the warlord staying at the lodge was displayed. 玄関広間119 viewsThis is what you see when you enter the Honjin through the Genkan Hiroma entrance hall. The name plate for the warlord staying at the lodge was displayed here.
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Jodan no Ma - Kusatsu-juku Honjin's best room in the house118 viewsReserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc. The room had an elevated tatami mat for the person to sit and sleep on.
上段の間
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Mukae Jodan no Ma. Painting on the fusuma sliding doors by Matsumura Keibun. 向上段の間116 views
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Outdoor garden116 views
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Yudono bath room for warlords. The hot water was heated nearby and carried to this room. 湯殿116 views
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Mukae Jodan no Ma 向上段の間116 views向上段の間
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About the Kusatsu-juku Honjin115 views
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Road marker plaque114 views
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan114 views草津街道交流館
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Kitchen (Daidokoro doma). Dirt-floored room with wood-heated stoves. High ceiling with no chimney, but the ceiling has a covered opening. 台所土間113 views
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Bath for feudal lords112 viewsLooks kind of small to me.
湯殿
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan. Sample food from the old days, dinner on left and breakfast on right. 草津街道交流館112 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin corridor. Pass by numerous Japanese-style rooms. 畳廊下111 views畳廊下
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Ukiyoe prints of Kusatsu-juku at Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 草津街道交流館111 views
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Marker for Emperor Meiji's visit and outdoor garden110 views
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Kusatsu history109 viewsBeing a stage town along the Tokaido Road connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, Kusatsu had over 70 inns for travelers. The best inn was the Honjin, reserved for daimyo warlords, Imperial family members, etc.
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Photo op room at Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan. You can dress up as a traveler on the Tokaido/Nakasendo Road and take a picture of yourself. You can even sit in the palanquin. A tripod is provided too. 草津街道交流館105 views
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan is a history museum with various exhibits showing Kusatsu's post town history. Admission 200 yen. You can buy a set ticket good for both the Honjin and this history museum. 草津街道交流館103 views
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102 views
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Honjin owner Tanaka's house100 views
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Honjin owner Tanaka's house98 views
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Honjin owner's house98 views
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan. Terminals are provided to find information about Kusatsu. 草津街道交流館 MAP97 views
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 草津街道交流館97 views
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Ceiling93 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Kusatsu-juku (53rd post town on the Tokaido) from his "Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road" series. A rest house and servants are depicted.77 views
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