Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

Perched atop the rugged cliffs of Mount Kuno, Kunozan Toshogu is a site of immense historical and religious weight. This is the original burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who unified Japan and established the Edo…

Our journey begins with a transit across the sky. The Nihondaira Ropeway connects the Nihondaira plateau to Mount Kuno, spanning a deep, forested valley. …

The first major architectural encounter at the shrine is the Romon, or Tower Gate. This two-story gate is a vibrant explosion of color, primarily painted in a deep cinnabar red that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding…

The Haiden is where the public and priests perform rituals to honor the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This building is a National Treasure and is the pinnacle of architectural beauty at Kunozan. …

In the center of the Haiden, there is a specific carving that deserves focused attention: the story of Shiba Onko and the broken jar. This famous Chinese parable tells of a young boy who, seeing his friend drowning in a large,…

Located to the side of the main hall is the Shinmabyo, or the sacred stable. In the Shinto tradition, horses were considered the messengers of the gods. …

Behind the Haiden, a final set of stone steps leads to the highest point of the shrine: the Gobyosho, the actual burial site of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The tomb is surprisingly understated compared to the ornate buildings below. …

As we conclude our exploration of Kunozan Toshogu, take a final moment to look out from the mountain heights. Below you, the strawberry fields of Shizuoka and the modern industry of the port represent the prosperity that Ieyasu’s…