Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Shizuoka

Tokugawa Ieyasu, who ended the long world of war and built the peaceful time of Japan for about 260 years. In the Japanese history of the Edo period, he has established an era that has many cultural and contemporary influences. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is one of the most famous places related to Ieyasu Tokugawa.
“Nikko Toshogu Shrine” is a tourist spot that is now registered as a World Heritage site, and it is a place where many tourists visit from overseas as well as Japan. Just like Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Toshogu Shrine, related to Ieyasu Tokugawa, is “Kunozan Toshogu Shrine”.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is generally considered the grave of Ieyasu Tokugawa, but the actual burial site is “Kunozan Toshogu Shrine”. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the place where the spirit was promoted, and the remains are enshrined by Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine can be said to be a shrine and temple filled with wishes for the peace of the Edo shogunate of Ieyasu who lived in the war. As evidence, Ieyasu left the following wills: “Put the body on Mt. Kuno, build a small shrine on Mt. Nikko, solicit it as a god, and become a peace-protecting god throughout Japan.”
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine has a national treasure-class main shrine as good as Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and is built on Mount Kuno called Nihondaira, and you can enjoy the magnificent view of Suruga Bay by accessing the ropeway.
Visiting Kunozan Toshogu and Nihondaira as a set, you can enjoy the magnificent view of Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji and the majestic Toshogu Shrine, the origin of the Gongen-zukuri style.
In addition, there are abundant seafood at Shimizu Port and world heritage such as “Miho no Matsubara“, so visiting these sightseeing spots together will further enhance your trip to Shizuoka.

It is located on the summit of Mt. Kunozan

“Kunozan Toshogu Shrine” designated as a national treasure is on the summit of Mt. Kunozan at an altitude of 216 meters. You can go up the stairs of Omote-sando (front approach) by 1,159 steps, but it is common to get on a ropeway from Nihondaira. The ropeway platform to “Kunozan Toshogu Shrine” is located in the Nihondaira Park Center, a 5-minute walk from “Observatory of Nihondaira”. The ropeway operates every 10 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes even in the morning and evening.

The history of Toshogu in Japan began with Mt. Kunozan

“Kunozan Toshogu Shrine” is a shrine built by Hidetada Tokugawa of the second generation general, according to the will of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The style of “gongen-zukuri” which gathered the building technology of those days has become a model of Toshogu architecture throughout the country including Nikko Toshogu Shrine. In other words, the history of Toshogu in Japan began with Mt. Kunozan. The master-carpenter is Masakiyo Nakai who worked on the Nijo-jo Castle of National Treasures. “Kunozan Toshogu Shrine” was evaluated as a masterpiece of Masakiyo’s later years and was designated as a national treasure in 2010.

The Drum Tower, Sacred Warehouse, Kaguraden are also must see

After paying hatsuho-ryo (ceremony fee), the first thing that appears is the tower gate. Hengaku (temple’s name tablet displayed on the gate) of “Tosho Daigongen (Ieyasu TOKUGAWA)” written by Emperor Gomizunoo on the second floor is listed. That majestic build overwhelms the viewers, but here is just an entrance. The national treasure Pavilion is about 3 minutes walk from the stone steps from here. It is also a must see such as drum tower, sacred warehouse, Kaguraden (hall for Shinto music and dance) on the way.

It is surprised by the ability and passion

At Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, building repaints are done once every 50 years. The last repaint ended in 2006, and regained the color at the time of construction.
It is overwhelmed by not only the whole majestic impression, but also the features and sculptures given in detail. Moreover, since the craftworkers of the Edo era completed this building in a short period of only 1 year and 7 months, it is surprised by the ability and passion which they had.

It makes you feel the serene and sacred air

Go around from the front of pavillion to the left side there are Byomon Gate and approach of the mausoleum. As you climb that stone stairway there is mausoleum for the gods. This is the place where the remains of the Tokugawa Ieyasu were buried, and it seems that a small shrine was originally built in the beginning. After that, Iemitsu Tokugawa, the third generation general, established the stone tower 5.5 meters high and 8 meters around. It is a simple construction, but hence makes you feel the serene and sacred air.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)