Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine

Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine was built in 1648 by Mitsuakira Asano, lord of the Hiroshima Domain, to enshrine his grandfather Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is located northeast of Hiroshima Castle, a direction traditionally regarded as the "kimon," or demon gate. While the kimon was believed to be the direction from which evil spirits entered, in feng shui it also symbolizes change, and Tokugawa Ieyasu placed great importance on guarding this direction to ensure the stability of the Edo shogunate. The main shrine and worship hall, constructed by craftsmen invited from Kyoto, were destroyed by the atomic bomb, but the worship hall was rebuilt in 1965 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s death, followed by the reconstruction of the main shrine in 1984. Structures that survived the bombing, including the karamon gate, wing corridors, purification pavilion, honjido hall, offering hall, side gate, portable shrines, and kirin lion heads, are designated Important Tangible Cultural Properties of Hiroshima City. In honor of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who laid the foundation for the Edo shogunate that lasted 260 years, victory amulets are available within the shrine grounds. The shrine is only an eight-minute walk from the Shinkansen exit of JR Hiroshima Station, making it an easy stop while waiting for a bullet train.