Exploring Kusatsu-juku and the history of Tenjo River

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.

A six-minute walk from Kusatsu Station, this is a place of relaxation built on the former site of the Kusatsu River. The park is home to restaurants, cafes and a hot yoga studio, so it's no surprise that people gather there.

It was built in 1816 with a donation from Mr. Nakai, a wealthy merchant from Hino. Like the Signpost(Oiwake), it has a fire box and played an important role in guiding travelers along the way.

It is a cultural property designated by Kusatsu City.

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.

This historical museum, located near Kusatsu-shuku Honjin, introduces the history and culture of Kusatsu, which flourished as a post town, with the theme of "travel" and "highway" during the Edo period. In addition to displaying materials and models, the experience corner such as ukiyo-e printing is also popular.

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.