Hino-juku Honjin

Overview

Hino-juku Honjin is a honjin building located in Hino-juku, a post town on the Koshu Kaido (highway), built in the mid-Edo period. Sato Hikogoro, the village headman at the time, was the brother-in-law and cousin of Toshizo Hijikata, and his support for the Shinsengumi made Hino-juku Honjin a key base for the group. Kondou Isami, Hijikata Toshizo, and Inoue Genzaburo also visited, and many exhibits within the honjin evoke their presence. As the only remaining honjin building on a highway in Tokyo, it's a precious historical site designated as a Tokyo Prefectural historical landmark. The interior is recreated to show the lifestyle of the time, allowing visitors to imagine daily life then. Exhibits and materials related to the Shinsengumi provide insights into the lives and activities of the samurai. A visit to Hino-juku Honjin allows a deeper understanding of Shinsengumi history and culture, as well as a glimpse into the bustling post town of the Edo period.