Hiyoshi Toshogu Shrine – A Shrine in Sakamoto Tracing the Origins of Nikko Toshogu

【Highlights】
・A splendid “Gongen-zukuri” shrine building, said to have served as the model for the reconstruction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
・Intricate decorative details remaining on the Karamon gate in front of the shrine and the Sukibei fence surrounding the grounds.
・A magnificent view of Lake Biwa from the elevated grounds, a sight unique to Sakamoto.

【History and Culture】
Hiyoshi Toshogu Shrine is one of the Toshogu shrines dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Because Tenkai Shonin, a Tendai Buddhist monk who was deeply involved in the construction of Toshogu shrines, the shrine was built at the foot of Mt. Hiei in 1623 during the reign of the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu.

The shrine utilizes the “Gongen-zukuri” style, which connects the main hall (honden) and the offering hall (haiden), and it is said that Nikko Toshogu was reconstructed based on this very style. In addition to the main shrine buildings, the highly decorative Karamon gate in front and the Sukibei fence surrounding the precinct still remain today and are designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

From the precinct situated on high ground, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Biwa, combining the magnificent beauty of the shrine architecture with the scenery of Sakamoto. It is a precious historical spot where the legacies of the Tokugawa family, Mt. Hiei, and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine converge.