Kunouzan Toshogu Shrine [Shizuoka]

【Kunouzan Toshogu Summary】

Kunouzan Toshogu was founded around the 7th century as Kunouji Temple and became a large temple with more than 300 Zen monks during the Kamakura period (1192-1333), but was destroyed by fire. Later, Shingen Takeda moved the Kunouji Temple to this site and made it Kunou Castle, but after the fall of the Takeda clan, it became the property of Ieyasu Tokugawa. After Ieyasu’s death, his remains were buried at Mt. Kunou by order of his father, Kunou Castle was abolished, and the Tosho-sha Shrine (later renamed Toshogu Shrine) was built. History (Temple → Castle → Shrine)

There are shrines dedicated to Prince Tokugawa Ieyasu throughout Japan, the first of which is Kunouzan Toshogu Shrine. Kunouzan Toshogu is also the place where Ieyasu was buried in accordance with his last will and testament.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine【Tokyo】

紀州東照宮【和歌山県】

【Kunouzan Toshogu scenery】

There are two ways to reach the temple grounds: either by climbing the 1159 stone steps of the Omotesando approach from the Suruga Bay side (Route 150 side) or by crossing from the ropeway in Nihondaira Park. The Omote-sando path has a torii gate a short distance from the coastline, and from there you climb the 1159 steps on a mountain path so thick with greenery that you can almost see it from above.

The winding staircase has stone walls that suggest that it used to be a mountain castle. 1159+40 steps are indeed a challenge, but the stairs are wide, low, and easy to climb, and you can enjoy the view of the sea through the trees as you go up. It is not recommended for those with weak legs and backs, but experienced climbers can make the climb in less than 10 minutes.

Toshogu Shrine is located on Mt. Kunou, and from the top of the mountain, one can see the city and the coast with a spectacular view. The weather was beautiful that day, and the blue sea was beautiful.

【Kunouzan Toshogu premises】

The gate of Kunouzan Toshogu Shrine is a magnificent vermilion-lacquered gate that shines against the blue sky, standing on a higher ground after climbing a long flight of stairs from the approach to the shrine. The gate was built in 1617, and has a gabled, copper-tiled roof, a three-room, one-door style gate, with a zuishin on the outside and komainu (guardian dogs) on the inside.

Although smaller in scale than Nikko Toshogu, the worship hall and gate are just as ornately decorated as those in Nikko. The magnificent “Shimbyo” (Shinto shrine), which is the tomb, is oriented to the west, and there are various theories as to why it was built in the direction of Okazaki Castle, where he was born, and Sunpu Castle and Hamamatsu Castle, where he used to live.

Only here in Japan, there is a shrine hall enshrining Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu in the center, Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the right, and Lord Oda Nobunaga on the left. It is a very moving part of the history of the city.

It is said that the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu are buried here. The palace is also gorgeous and magnificent, just as the name Toshogu implies, and is well worth seeing.

【Kunouzan Toshogu GOSHUIN】

【Kunouzan Toshogu Access】