Kunōzan Tōshō-gū : where the great unifier of Japan rests

If you already know a little bit about Japan, you have certainly already heard about the famous Nikko Tosho-Gu, the majestic and colourful shrine with exceptional wood engravings in Nikko (discover our tour that will make you discover it as well as the region of Tohoku!). And did you know that this one was inspired, like the rest of the Tosho-Gu shrines, by Kunozan Tosho-gu in Shizuoka Prefecture? And do you know why?

Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Tokugawa clan, considered to be one of Japan’s three great unifiers with Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, demanded that his ashes be spread on Mount Kunozan. A shrine was built there, where it is now venerated, and since then every shrine built in homage to Tokugawa Ieyasu has been named Tosho-Gu. This means that Kunozan Tosho-Gu was the first of this type of sanctuary.

Refined woodwork on the shrine

Built in 1617, the most renowned cabinetmakers were called upon to build this sanctuary with flamboyant decorations. The location offers breathtaking panoramic ocean views. It can be accessed in two ways: either climbing the few thousand steps that lead to the sanctuary, or taking a ropeway from Nihon Daira, the famous plateau that allows to observe Mount Fuji. The place can also be interesting for hiking lovers!