Travel Back to the Edo Period! Exploring Kusatsu City’s Historical Charms by Walk

Kusatsu Station is served by the JR Biwako Line (Tokaido Main Line) and the JR Kusatsu Line, and is one of the busiest stations in Shiga Prefecture in terms of number of passengers. The Hashigami station building has a barrier-free structure with escalators and elevators, and is serviced by many route buses and express buses, and you can also rent bicycles (Eki Rin-kun). There is a Kusatsu City Tourist Information Center on the premises, where you can also get tourist pamphlets for the city.

In March 1886, with the completion of the former Kusatsu River Tunnel (commonly known as Manpo), which was built with arched brick masonry on both sides, the early modern Tokaido, which had lasted for over 260 years during the Edo period, was renovated, and the current prefectural road Shimogasa. A new Tokaido road will be opened approximately 900 meters to Shinyashiki, Ritto City at the location of the Ojii Line.
As a result, the junction of Tokaido and Nakasendo, which had been on the south side of the old Kusatsu River, was moved to the southwest corner of Kakuzenji, which was facing Nakasendo at the time, and in March 1889, the Signpost（Ochinoi） was designated as the new Tokaido. It was built at the crossroads of Nakasendo, but has now been relocated in front of the Kakuzenji gate.

A relaxing place built on the site of the Kusatsu River, a 6-minute walk from Kusatsu Station. There are restaurants, cafes, and hot yoga studios in the park, so people naturally gather there.

This area, where there is a signpost engraved with the words ``Right Tokaido Isemichi, Left Middle Sendo Minoji,'' is the exact junction and confluence of the Tokaido and Nakasendo roads.
In this area, which was once called Oiwake Mitsuke in Kusatsu-shuku, there are still night lights with fireboxes donated by the rulers of the various shokujo hikyaku who used to travel on the highway. It is a designated cultural property of Kusatsu City.

Kusatsu-juku was an important post station where the major roads of the Edo period, the Tokaido and Nakasendo, diverged and merged. A ``honjin'' was placed at each post station and was used by feudal lords and court nobles to rest. Kusatsu-juku Honjin is one of the largest buildings in Japan that still exists. The name of the Shinsengumi and the Princess Kazunomiya are also written in the Daifukucho, which is the inn book.

Kusatsu Yumehonjin is a place of relaxation for tourists and local residents, inheriting the culture of encounters and exchanges that has been nurtured by the highways and post towns. There is a rest area, tatami room, tourist information center (tourist volunteer guides are always on duty), breastfeeding space, and a community FM broadcasting station.

Located near Kusatsu-shuku Honjin, this historical museum introduces the history and culture of Kusatsu, which flourished as a post town, with a theme of "travel" and "roads" in the Edo period. Documents and models are on display.

The first floor is a store and the second floor is a gallery, where you can see hanging scrolls owned by the Ota family and other items related to Lord Dokan. Ota Sake Brewery is a comprehensive alcoholic beverage manufacturer that focuses on ingredients sourced from Shiga Prefecture and produces sake, as well as shochu and wine. The sake brewery is located at the back of the store, and you can tour it by making a reservation in advance during the off-season.　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

A shrine with a history of over 1200 years. Since Sakanoue Tamuramaro, the Great General of the Conquerors, prayed to this shrine when suppressing the Tohoku region, it has been worshiped as a shrine for warding off evil spirits and for traffic safety. Facing the Tokaido, it is said that during the Edo period, feudal lords and travelers prayed for safety along the way.

Kusatsu Station is served by the JR Biwako Line (Tokaido Main Line) and the JR Kusatsu Line, and is one of the busiest stations in Shiga Prefecture in terms of number of passengers. The Hashigami station building has a barrier-free structure with escalators and elevators, and is serviced by many route buses and express buses, and you can also rent bicycles (Eki Rin-kun). There is a Kusatsu City Tourist Information Center on the premises, where you can also get tourist pamphlets for the city.