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This is an exquisite facility dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period, with a collection of swords and other artifacts that are a must-see.
This shrine was built to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Administration, by Tokugawa Hidetaka, the second shogun in 1617. It is said to have been built in accordance with his will to be buried at Mt. Kunozan.
The buildings were built in the Gongen-Zukuri style, with the main shrine and the worship hall connected by a stone room. They are fully lacquered and exquisitely decorated, and represent the early Edo period, and were designated as National Treasure in 2010.
Until the Nihondaira Ropeway was built in 1957, the only way to get there was to walk up the stone stairs of the main approach from the bottom of Mt. Kunozan. There are a total of 1159 steps! However, once you reach the top of the stairs, you will see the spectacular view of Suruga Bay, the Izu Peninsula, and even Omaezaki.
The Kunozan Toshogu Museum on the premises houses more than 2,000 cultural assets related to the successive shoguns of Ed Period, including Ieyasu. It is a treasury of important historical artifacts, including all 15 Tokugawa shoguns’ armor and more than 50 swords. To preserve the valuable cultural assets, a crowdfunded sword restoration project has been carried out in recent years.
The shrine has a solemn atmosphere with its beautiful, vivid colors.
You can see the spectacular view from Ichi-no-mon Gate, at the top of the stone stairs
You can admire the artifacts related to the Tokugawa Shogun family at the museum
The main approach consists of 1159 stone stairs
Karamon Gate in front of the worship hall, designated as an important cultural property
Koro, the drum tower, is designated as an important cultural property. It was originally a bell tower, but the bell was replaced with a taiko drum during the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism in the Meiji period, and the name was changed to the current one.
