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Kunōzan Tōshōgū, built in 1617, was constructed by the second shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, Hidetada, to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate. It is said to have been built in accordance with his father's wish to "bury his remains on Kunōzan."
The architectural style of the shrine is known as "Gongen-zukuri." Its characteristic feature is the "Ishima," which connects the main hall and the worship hall with a single step lower. The entire structure is adorned with lacquer and splendid colors, representing the architectural style of the early Edo period, and was designated as a national treasure in 2010. Before the opening of the Japanese cable car in 1957, the stone steps leading from the foot of Kunōzan to the summit were the only pilgrimage path. There are a total of 1,159 steps. It is said that pilgrims who ascended the mountain would chant "Ikkai ikkai shinkurou" (which phonetically resembles the number 1159 in Japanese) while climbing the steps. Although climbing the stairs was arduous, reaching the top offered a breathtaking view of Suruga Bay, the Izu Peninsula, and Cape Muroto, providing a refreshing experience.
Additionally, the adjacent Kunōzan Tōshōgū Museum is an affiliated building of the shrine, housing over 2,000 cultural properties related to Ieyasu and the successive shoguns of the Edo period. In particular, the armor of the first to the fifteenth shoguns of the Tokugawa shogunate, as well as more than 50 swords and other artifacts, are invaluable historical treasures not to be missed.
