Shimosuwa-shuku Honjin Iwanami House

3.5

This historic structure was once a honjin inn for government officials located in the post station town of Shimosuwa-shuku, where two of the Five Routes, the Nakasendo Road and the Koshu Kaido, intersected. Reception is located past the front gate and beyond the extremely lengthy front entrance garden. The inn was used to accommodate many important persons, including Princess Kazu, Emperor Meiji, and various daimyo lords during the Sankin-kotai period in which lords were obligated to alternate living in the capital every other year. The current 28th head of the family privately maintains and manages the facility, preserving the primary parts of the structure as well as period furnishings and making these viewable to the public. Its permanent exhibition includes a short sword left behind by radical Sekihotai group member Sagara Sozo prior to his execution. The facility's landscape-style rock garden, purported to have been the best along the Nakasendo Road, is exceptionally beautiful on rainy days and is well-worth a look.

Spot details

Address: Nagano Suwa-gun Shimosuwamachi Map
Area: Around Suwa Area
Phone: 0266287055
Hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed: Wednesday
※The designated holidays may differ during Golden Week, New Year's Holiday, etc.
Fees: [Admission fee]Adults 800yen, Children 400yen

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

下諏訪宿にある旧本陣

Reviewed : 2019.12.11

甲州街道の終点、下諏訪宿にある旧本陣。皇女和宮降嫁の際に、この本陣で使われた道具類。歴史の舞台そのままで、けっこう生々しく展示されていました。明治以降、岩波家は兄弟が遺産相続後に新しい事業に進出。失敗しながらも、本陣の建物が何とか残されたという経緯です。
お庭がキレイ

Reviewed : 2019.01.23

昔の参勤交代などで大名が宿泊した宿です。大名の名前が書かれた木札がたくさん並んでいました。大名が泊まる部屋から見るお庭は美しかったです。
大名が宿泊した家

Reviewed : 2018.09.25

参勤交代の際に大名が宿泊した家。江戸時代の建物と庭園が残っている。入観料500円。現在も個人宅であるためか、訪問した日は都合により休館となっていたため入ることはできなかった。