Toshogu Shrine

toshogu

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is most famous for honoring Tokugawa Ieyasu, but there are numerous Toshogu Shrines throughout Japan. The Toshogu found in Kawagoe is one of the three major Toshogu Shrines in Japan called the “Senba Toshogu,” located just south of Kitain. In 1616, Tokugawa Ieyasu died in Sunpu, located in present-day Shizuoka Prefecture, and his remains were carried from Shizuoka to Nikko Mountain. Along the way, a Buddhist memorial service was conducted by Tenkai Soujou at Kitain Temple over four days. With this backdrop, the Toshogu Shrine was established in Kawagoe in 1633.