Kunōzan Tōshō-gū
久能山東照宮
The first resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The National Treasure shrine buildings, with their ornate painted carvings, are the prototype for Nikkō Tōshō-gū.
Kunōzan Tōshō-gū was built in 1617 and was the first place Tokugawa Ieyasu was interred after his death, earlier than Nikkō Tōshō-gū. The main hall, the Ishi-no-ma and the worship hall are National Treasures. Their black lacquer ground is covered in colorful carvings and gold ornament, and they are regarded as the origin of the gongen-zukuri architectural style. Climbing the 1,159 stone steps from the foot of the mountain by the main approach takes about 20 minutes. The number is also a pun, as it reads as “ichi-ichi-go-kyū” in Japanese. Alternatively, you can ride the Nihondaira Ropeway from Nihondaira directly up in about 5 minutes, with broad sea views along the way. Shrine admission is about 500 yen, and the museum costs extra. There you can see artifacts used by Ieyasu, such as a Western clock. Along the coastal road at the foot of the mountain is the famous Ishigaki strawberry growing area, where you can pick strawberries from January to May.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00 (until 16:00 Oct–Mar)
Nearby sights
- Nihondaira Yume Terrace
- Nihondaira Zoo
- Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art
- S-Pulse Dream Plaza & Chibi Maruko-chan Land
- Toro Ruins
- Shimizu Kashi no Ichi Fish Market
- Miho no Matsubara
- Sunpu Castle Park