Oshi Toshogu Shrine and Oshi Suwa Shrine [Saitama]

【Overview of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】
- 【Origins and History of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】
【Approach of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】
【Shrine Buildings of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】
【Oshi Toshogu Shrine Goshuin】
【Nearby Tourist Spots】
【Oshi Toshogu Shrine Access】
Admin’s Impressions
Oshi Toshogu Shrine Address
Oshi Toshogu Shrine Web Page

【Overview of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】

Oshi Toshogu Shrine (Oshi Toshogu) is a highly historic shrine closely associated with the Matsudaira (Okudaira) clan, the successive feudal lords of the Oshi Domain. Located directly across Route 125 from the Oshi Castle Site (Gyoda City Museum), it enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu as its main deity. Originally located within Oshi Castle, following the abandonment of castles in the Meiji period, it was relocated to and merged into the grounds of Oshi Suwa Shrine (Oshi Suwa-jinja), which stood in a section of the former inner citadel (Suwa Bailey). Consequently, the two shrines now stand side by side within the same grounds today.

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Oshi Castle Three-Story Yagura [Saitama]

【Origins and History of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】

It began in 1625 (Kanei 2) when Kamehime, the daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu, received a portrait of her father, and her son (Ieyasu’s grandson), Tadaaki Matsudaira, built a shrine structure inside Koriyama Castle in Yamato Province to enshrine it. Every time the Matsudaira clan underwent a transfer of domain (ifu), this Toshogu shrine relocated along with them. Then in 1823 (Bunsei 6), following the clan’s reassignment from Kuwana Domain to Oshi Domain, it was enshrined within Oshi Castle.

The primary enshrined deities are Tokugawa Ieyasu-ko, Matsudaira Tadaaki-ko, and Hachiman Okami.

【Approach of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】

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When Oshi Castle was abandoned during the Meiji period, virtually all the trees surrounding the castle were felled, but the grounds of this shrine alone managed to escape being cut down. As a result, upon passing through the torii gate, visitors are greeted by towering ancient trees and dense, lush greenery—so thick that it feels quite dim…

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Although the shrine office is unattended, the grounds are kept beautifully clean.

【Shrine Buildings of Oshi Toshogu Shrine】

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While all the original buildings of Oshi Castle were demolished during the Meiji period, the Toshogu’s main sanctuary (Honden) survives in its original form, having relocated here alongside the feudal lord from Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, in 1823 (Bunsei 6). Built in an elegant architectural style known as Ikkensha Nagare-zukuri (single-bay stream-style), visitors can view the exquisite craftsmanship of the late Edo period up close.

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【Legend of the Sacred Tree That Bled】

In 1873 (Meiji 6), when the buildings of Oshi Castle were thoroughly demolished under orders from the Meiji government (the Castle Abolition Edict), a dire crisis threatened the area around this Suwa Shrine. Not only were the structures inside the castle torn down, but the rich lined trees and giant ancient timber in the surrounding area were also mercilessly felled. As the logging reached the vicinity of Suwa Shrine’s worship hall (Haiden), just as the workers were about to cut down a cedar tree, a deep red liquid resembling fresh blood began gushing forth from the trunk. Shaking with terror and crying, “It’s a curse from the gods!”, the workers immediately halted any further logging. Thanks to this miraculous legend, the trees and dense sacred grove surrounding the shrine building escaped destruction, preserving a “green sanctuary” that retains the lingering spirit of Oshi Castle to this day.

weekend drive gyoda historic retro route - Oshi Toshogu Shrine and Oshi Suwa Shrine [Saitama]

週末日帰りドライブ特集：歴史ロマンとレトロ絶景を巡る「埼玉県行田市」ルート

Routes to Gyoda City are summarized below. We hope you find this helpful as a reference.

【Oshi Toshogu Shrine Goshuin】

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Available in a box in front of the shrine office for 200 yen. Visitors write the date themselves.

【Nearby Tourist Spots】

Oshi Castle Three-Story Yagura (Turret), Gyoda Hachiman Shrine, Vert Cafe, Sakitama Museum of Ancient Funerary Mounds, Sakitama Shrine, Ancient Lotus Park & Gyoda Tower

Oshi Castle Three-Story Yagura [Saitama]

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Gyoda Hachiman Shrine [Saitama]

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Vert Café (Former Oshi Town Credit Union Building) [Saitama]

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Sakitama Museum of Ancient Funerary Mounds & Shogunyama Kofun [Saitama]

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Sakitama Shrine [Saitama]

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Ancient Lotus Park & Gyoda Tower [Saitama]

【Oshi Toshogu Shrine Access】

Admin’s Impressions

After learning about history at the Gyoda City Museum at Oshi Castle, “Oshi Toshogu Shrine” and “Oshi Suwa Shrine,” located right across the road, are spots you should definitely extend your walk to visit. A complete contrast to the open scenery around the museum, the shrine grounds are enveloped in green so dense that it feels dim even during the day. This grove, with its enduring legend of blood, may well have been the source of strength that allowed Oshi Castle to survive its turbulent history. The shrine is usually unattended, and the goshuin is the self-service type where you write the date yourself.

Scale

(2.5)

Accessibility

(2.5)

History / Origins

(2)

Nature / Scenery

(3.5)

Quietness

(5)

Goshuin Variety

(1)