Kunozan Toshogu: First Toshogu Shrine Enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu, Older than Nikko

The First Toshogu

Kunozan Toshogu in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City is a Toshogu shrine constructed the year after Tokugawa Ieyasu died in 1616. Known as the "first Toshogu" older than Nikko Toshogu in Tochigi Prefecture. Built at the summit of Kunoyama (216m elevation), accessible by ropeway from Nihondaira.

1,159 Stone Steps

Kunozan Toshogu can be visited by climbing 1,159 stone steps (ichikoku ichijo: one country one castle) along the approach from the "first torii." Spectacular views spread along the stone steps with grand panoramas of Suruga Bay, Miho no Matsubara, and Mt. Fuji enjoyable.

Ieyasu's Mausoleum and Shrine Buildings

The shrine buildings consisting of three structures (main hall, stone room, worship hall) are built in "Gongen-zukuri" style, designated as a national treasure. In the back is Ieyasu's mausoleum (burial site before reinterment at Nikko Toshogu).