A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure includes mixing inorganic particles, at least one of inorganic fibers and inorganic whiskers, and an inorganic binder solution to prepare a raw material composition. The method further includes manufacturing a pillar-shaped honeycomb molded body by extrusion-molding the raw material composition, and firing the molded body to manufacture a honeycomb fired body. The molded body has a large number of cells disposed in substantially parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween. A blending amount of the inorganic binder solution is about 30 to about 60% by weight to the total amount of the inorganic particles, at least one of the inorganic fibers and the inorganic whiskers, and the inorganic binder solution. A concentration of the inorganic binder solution is about 35 to about 50% by weight.