In the municipality of Hino, historical connections range from the Kōshū Road to the Shinsengumi. Three different perspectives can help you choose what to explore: Hino-juku as a historic post station, preserved buildings and artifacts, and exhibitions on local history. This can help you decide whether you are most interested in architecture, historical figures, or learning through exhibitions.

Hino-juku: Post Station, Honjin, and Shinsengumi

Historically, the fifth post station on the Kōshū Road was located in the municipality of Hino. The former residence of Sato Hikogoro, a supporter of the Shinsengumi, was in Hino-juku, in the municipality of Hino. Kondo Isami, Hijikata Toshizo, and Inoue Genzaburo visited the house in Hino-juku. The Hino-juku Honjin in the municipality of Hino is the only surviving Honjin building in Tokyo that was built during the Edo period. These connections tell different stories: the post station places Hino on a historic travel route, the Honjin represents a surviving building, and the former residence links Hino-juku to Sato Hikogoro and his visitors.

Wooden Architecture and a Historic Votive Tablet

The main building of Hino Yasaka Shrine in the municipality of Hino was rebuilt in 1800 and made of solid zelkova wood. Carvings adorn its walls, pillars, beams, and railings. Those interested in traditional architecture will find several specific elements here that they can examine. Hino Yasaka Shrine in the municipality of Hino also keeps a votive tablet donated in 1858 by 23 members of the Tennen Rishin-ryu from Hino-juku. The donors included Shimazaki (Kondo) Isami, Okita Sojiro (Soji), Sato Hikogoro, and Inoue Matsugoro and Genzaburo. The two dates refer to different events: 1800 to the rebuilding of the main building, and 1858 to the donation of the tablet. Together, the building and votive tablet offer an architectural and biographical perspective on the shrine's history.

Exhibitions on Hino-juku and the Shinsengumi

The Hino-juku Exchange Hall in the municipality of Hino houses a tourist information center and an exhibition of local materials on Hino-juku, the Kōshū Road, and the Shinsengumi. The second-floor exhibition focuses on Hino-juku on the Kōshū Road and also features the Shinsengumi and modern Hino. A diorama of Hino-juku adds a spatial representation of these themes. Before visiting the Exchange Hall, check the current visitor arrangements with the operator.

The Sato Hikogoro Shinsengumi Museum in the municipality of Hino displays newly discovered materials, including iron fans associated with Toshizo Hijikata and Hikogoro Sato. By comparison, the Exchange Hall offers a broader selection of themes, including Hino-juku, the Kōshū Road, and modern Hino, while the museum establishes connections to Hijikata and Sato through specific exhibits. Those interested in the history can use these different focuses to guide their visit, rather than treating all the sites as similar stops.

Discover more destinations: Koganei, Chiyoda, Edogawa, Okutama, Ogasawara, Shibuya-ku, Kiyose, Meguro

For the overall travel overview: Tokyo.