Kusatsu-juku Honjin 30th: Time Slip to Edo 2026

Dates & time: October 17, 2026 (Sat) 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Price & booking: Free admission on the day; the matcha experience is also free. No booking needed. The matcha experience is limited to the first 40 people on the day.
Venue & access: Kusatsu-juku Honjin Historic Site (Kusatsu, Shiga) The nearest station is JR Kusatsu. The official page lists no parking.

There are 8 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Kusatsu-juku Honjin Historic Site (Kusatsu, Shiga), and 3 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

Calendar

Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.

Google Calendar Apple Calendar (.ics)

We hope it gives you a reason to head out together.

X FB LINE

Why You Should Visit

Opening day of the festival marking 30 years since Kusatsu-juku Honjin, the lords' inn where the Tokaido and Nakasendo highways meet, opened to the public. Admission is free for the day. Junior guides dressed as a lord and princess make a ceremonial arrival, greeted by the city mascot Tabimaru. In the afternoon the Kusatsu Higashi High School tea club serves matcha inside the inn, and a Minecraft model built from a 3D scan lets you explore rooms normally closed to visitors. A good half-day for families who want to walk through a real Edo-period building.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Other 30th anniversary events

Related exhibition on notable figures of late-Edo Kusatsu, Oct 10–Nov 23 (Honjin and Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryukan; regular admission)
Honjin Rakuza rakugo “Edo vs. Kamigata”, Oct 17, starts 17:30 (¥800, 100 seats, booking required)
Talk on ukiyo-e of the highways and Hijikata Toshizo in Kusatsu, Oct 24, starts 13:30 (Kusatsu Clair Hall, free, 400 seats, booking required)
Honjin Halloween, Oct 31, 9:00–20:00 (evening opening)
Dress up as a lord or princess, Oct 31, Nov 7 and Nov 14 (¥1,000, booking required)
Special evening opening, Nov 7, 18:00–21:00 (free)
Honjin Rakuza rakugo with prize draw, Nov 14, starts 17:30 (¥800, 100 seats, booking required)

*Free admission applies on Oct 17; regular fees apply on other days

History Heritage Culture Art Family Free Cheap Half Day

出典: 草津市公式ホームページ

Kobe · Gluten-free

Events

Where to go next

View Recommended Events →

10/17

Art Festa Kusatsu

Kusatsu City Hall, Aqua Plaza, Sawayaka Health Center, Amika Hall and Komeda Park (Kusatsu, Shiga)

10/10 - 10/11

Otsu Matsuri

Tenson Shrine and around JR Otsu Station, Otsu (Shiga)

10/11

Hoko Matsuri

Around Hokoku Shrine, Nagahama (Shiga)

9/12 - 12/13

Special Exhibition: Shigaraki New Wave

Ceramic Museum, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (Koka, Shiga)

10/10 - 10/18

Shigaraki Pottery Festival

Participating shops across Shigaraki town (Koka, Shiga)

Next 11/7 +6 more

Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026–27 | Weekend Fireworks off Meriken Park

Meriken Park

Next 10/18 +10 more

EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market

Higashi Yuenchi Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe

10/3 - 10/11

Kobe Motomachi Music Week (27th)

Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street (1-bangai to 6-chome) and nearby halls

FAQ

Is there an admission fee?

Admission is free for everyone during the event on Saturday, October 17, and the matcha experience is free too.

Do I need to book the matcha experience?

No booking; it is for the first 40 people on the day, from 13:30 to 15:00.

Is anything else happening nearby that day?

Art Festa Kusatsu takes place around Kusatsu City Hall the same day, and a rakugo show (¥800, booking required) starts at the Honjin at 17:30.