For a shrine near Hiroshima Station, visit Hiroshima Tōshōgū (広島東照宮). It is less than a 10-minute walk away from the bullet train exit! It is one of the only places in Hiroshima City center with architecture built in the Edo period (1603 – 1867). Furthermore, it is the shrine that enshrined the great samurai, Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康)!
The shrine at the foot of Mt. Futaba (二葉山) was built by the 4th lord of Hiroshima Domain, Asano Mitsuakira (浅野 光晟), as part of the 33rd memorial service after Tokugawa Ieyasu passed away. Compared to the many Toshogū built for the same reason across the country by other feudal lords, Hiroshima Tōshōgū is extra splendid because Mitsuakira’s mother, Furihime (振姫), was Ieyasu’s third daughter.
Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine is located northeast of Hiroshima Castle. Another reason for the shrine’s construction was to look after the peace of the castle town.
Although the atomic bomb blast destroyed some buildings, including the main worship hall, a few fortunately survived!
At the end of the 50 staircases, the shrine’s Kara-mon Gate (唐門) and the long corridors, Yuku-rō (翼廊), connected to the two sides of Kara-mon, are from the Edo period, with the shrine having been completed in 1648.
The shrine is known for granting safety and prosperity-related wishes. This is because the Edo Shogunate, opened by Tokugawa Ieyasu, continued for 260 years. So sure, he must have some power that can bring people a great life. And for that to continue, one has to have offspring to inherit, which makes up some of the prayers here.
The main worship hall’s restoration was completed in 1984. Fortunately, and probably miraculously, the object of worship, Goshintai (御神体), was saved by the army firefighting on the day of the bombing.
The Rear Shrine (Okumiya, 奥宮) of Kinkō Inari Shrine (金光稲荷神社)
At the back of the Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine, there is an Inari Shrine. It has looked after business owners’ and people’s safety for around 260 years. Trekking further up through the 120 torii gates and 500 staircases, you will get to the shrine’s Okumiya. A return trip will take around 30 minutes.
The object of worship at Okumiya is a giant rock. It won’t be hard to identify which one as small white foxes are placed in front of it (^_-)-☆.
From there, the wide view of Hiroshima City and the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海) spreads below you!
In spring, a couple of cherry blossoms will make your visit even merrier (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Tip: For those who enjoy hiking, you can trek through the Futaba no Sato Historical Walking Trail (二葉の里歴史の散歩道) that connects many of the shrines and temples at the north side of Hiroshima Station. Refer HERE for the trail’s map and HERE for a brief introduction to the attractions on the route (in Japanese only).
If you prefer to be guided, join one of the below tours!
☛ Morning Hiking Tour: Mt. Futaba & Hiroshima’s History
☛ Mt. Futaba mountain walk and luck power spot yoga experience
Hiroshima Tōshōgū Shrine’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The shrine is open from 6:10 am to 7 pm. But the office is only open from 9 am to 4 pm.
- From JR Hiroshima Station’s Shinkansen Exit (広島駅 新幹線口), it is an 8-minute walk.
- From Hiroshima Station’s Shinkansen Entrance (広島駅新幹線口), you can also take Hiroshima Meipuru-pu’s (広島市内循環バス めいぷる～ぷ) green route and get off at Hiroshima Tōshōgū-mae (東照宮前), it is then a 3-minute walk.
- For those who are taking Hiroshima Dentetsu’s buses, from Bus Stop, Tōshōgū Iriguchi (東照宮入口), it is a 5-minute walk.
Discover Where Else to Visit in Hiroshima City Center
Apart from Hiroshima Tōshōgū, a couple of attractions in the city center are worth your time.
To find out what they are and how to get there, please refer to our Hiroshima City article. The article also has information about where to go for cherry blossom and autumn foliage hunting (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
