Honjō: Nakasendō History and Festival Culture

Honjō combines the history of 本庄宿, a post station on the Nakasendō, with historic buildings, temples, shrines, and seasonal events. If you’re looking for a hotel in Honjō, the reason for your trip can help you choose a focus, such as a historical exhibition, a pilgrimage route, or a festival held throughout the year. The city offers a range of cultural themes to explore, organized around history, architecture, and the time of year you visit.

History on the Nakasendō

The area around Honjō Station is associated with 本庄宿, once a prosperous post station on the Nakasendō. Sites there include the 旧本庄商業銀行煉瓦倉庫, the Tamura Honjin Gate, and the former Honjō Police Station. Together, these places point to the post station’s historical importance and to buildings that remain as recognized parts of the city’s history.

An exhibition area in the 旧本庄商業銀行煉瓦倉庫 presents the history of 本庄宿 as a prosperous post station on the Nakasendō. Original materials, photographs, and explanatory panels also cover 本庄町 as a modern center of the silk cocoon trade. The exhibition thus brings together two distinct chapters: the history of the post station and the development of the silk cocoon trade. Check the exhibition’s operating details before visiting.

The Tamura Honjin Gate belonged to the northern Honjin of 本庄宿. It is designated as a municipal cultural property and was moved to the site in front of the former Honjō Police Station. Its association with a Honjin connects the preserved gate to the history of travel along the Nakasendō.

Historic Buildings and Religious Sites

The former post office, 旧本庄仲町郵便局, adds architecture dating from 1934 to the area’s historic buildings. The two-story wooden building has a tiled exterior and decorations in the Art Deco style, which was widespread around the world at the time. The building is designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

Temples and shrines also represent different aspects of Honjō’s cultural history. 安養院 (An’yō-in), also known as 若泉山安養院無量寺, was founded in 1475 by 本庄信明 of the Kodama clan. Its Sōmon gate, Sanmon gate, and main hall are designated as municipal cultural properties. The temple is part of the Honjō Shichifukujin pilgrimage route and enshrines Bishamonten.

At 金鑚神社 (Kanasana Shrine), the shrine building is lacquered in multiple colors in the Gongen style and is designated as a prefectural cultural property. Ceiling paintings by local artists from 本庄宿 hang in the honden. Prayers for the safety and prosperity of the community are offered at 城山稲荷神社. In their own ways, these religious sites bring together designated architecture, local art, and religious tradition.

Festivals Throughout the Year

At the Honjō Matsuri, held annually in autumn, festival floats travel through the area around Honjō Station. There are ten floats in total, eight of which are municipal cultural properties. All were built between 1872 and 1924. The construction dates span several decades, while the festival itself takes place every year in autumn.

Every April, the Wakaizumi Park Cherry Blossom Festival and the Honjō Craft Art Fair are held at 若泉公園. The events feature handmade works in wood and ceramics, as well as dyeing and weaving, glass, metal, textiles, and paper. Many local food businesses also serve food there; no specific dishes or vendors are identified.

The events mentioned offer a clear distinction when planning your travel dates: in autumn, the Honjō Matsuri and its festival floats are on the calendar, while in April, the cherry blossom festival and craft fair take place together.

Pilgrimage Route and Trip Planning

The 本庄の七福神めぐり route covers about four kilometers and visits ten temples and shrines in Honjō-juku on the Nakasendō. It includes an ongoing stamp rally. Stamp cards are available at Honjō City Hall and the Honjō Information Center at the south exit of Honjō Station. The approximate route length and number of destinations give you two concrete points of reference if you’re considering making the route a focus of your trip.

When choosing a hotel in Honjō, you can first decide whether to plan your trip around a festival or focus more on historic sites and religious traditions. The exhibition, pilgrimage route, and events offer different themes for planning; for a trip centered on a festival, check the dates, and for the exhibition, check its operating information.

Discover more destinations: Ageo, Wakō, Kumagaya, Minano, Sōka, Ranzan, Chichibu District, Saitama

For the broader travel overview: Saitama Prefecture.