Semba Toshogu Shrine [Saitama]

【Semba Toshogu Shrine summary】

Semba Toshogu Shrine was built in 1633.

When Tokugawa Ieyasu died in 1616, his remains were moved from Mt. Kunou to Mt. Nikko, where a memorial service was held. The temple was later burnt down in the “Great Fire of Kan’ei,” but was rebuilt in 1640 by Tokugawa Iemitsu. It is also the birthplace of the children’s song “Anata ga dokokoro sa” (Where did you come from?), which is said to be a song about how children asked soldiers from the Kumamoto Clan, who were stationed at Kawagoe Castle during the Boshin War at the time of the Meiji Restoration, where they came from.

Since the shrine is Toshogu, it enshrines Tosho Daigongen (Ieyasu Tokugawa).

Together with Nikko and Kunouzan, it is considered one of the three major Toshogu shrines.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine [Tochigi]

Kunouzan Toshogu Shrine [Shizuoka]

Ueno Toshogu Shrine【Tokyo】

Kishu Toshogu Shrine [Wakayama]

Shiba Toshogu Shrine [Tokyo]

Generally speaking, Kunouzan Toshogu and Nikko Toshogu are the two most popular shrines, but there are various theories about the third, including that of Horaizan Toshogu and Ueno Toshogu. There are other Toshogu shrines throughout Japan.

【Semba Toshogu Shrine Zuishinmon】

There were no zuijin statues on either side of the Mazekamon gate.

【Semba Toshogu Shrine torii made of stone】

After passing through Zuijimon Gate, there is a magnificent stone torii gate, which is also found at Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

【Semba Toshogu Shrine hall of worship】

After passing through a stone torii gate and ascending 50 stone steps, the hall of worship is located at the end of a metal gate inlaid with the hollyhock crest. In the main hall of the shrine, a statue of Tosho Daigongen (Tokugawa Ieyasu) is enshrined as the sacred body. However, the gate was closed from this point onward, so it was not possible to visit the shrine.

【Aoi Garden and Benzaiten】

It is located between Kita-in Temple and Senba Toshogu Shrine. Fireflies seem to live in the pond around the small shrine dedicated to Benten-sama, and a “Firefly Festival” is held at the end of June every year.

【Semba Toshogu Shrine Nearby attractions】

Kita-in Temple, Narita-san Kawagoe Betsuin Temple

Kita-in Temple [Saitama]

【Semba Toshogu Shrine Access】

Manager’s comment.

It is located quietly on the south side of Kita-in Temple. Personally, I like this shrine because of its quietness, but it is best not to visit it with the image of Nikko Toshogu Shrine in mind. There were no visitors, partly because the shrine can only be visited on certain days. I would like to visit the shrine again if I have a chance.

Site/Facility Size

 (3.5)

Richness of Nature

 (3.5)

Ease of access

 (3)

Number of tourists

 (1)

Semba Toshogu Shrine

1-21-1 Kosenba-cho, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama 350-0036

※No parking available

About 10 minutes walk from Honkawagoe Station on Seibu Shinjuku Line

About 20 minutes walk from Kawagoe Station on Tobu Tojo Line

参考

仙波東照宮

小江戸川越ウェブ | 小江戸川越観光協会

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Kunouzan Toshogu Shrine [Shizuoka] Kita-in Temple [Saitama] Kishu Toshogu Shrine [Wakayama] Narita-san Kawagoe Betsuin [Saitama]