[Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture] Experience the tranquility and bustle at Sendai Toshogu Shrine!

Toshogu Shrine is a venerable shrine that enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Many of you may have visited Nikko Toshogu Shrine during a school trip.

Did you know that Toshogu Shrine exists outside of Nikko?
In fact, Toshogu Shrine is a shrine that is scattered all over Japan.
It is the general name for the shrines that enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Tosho Daigongen.

When you think of Toshogu shrines in Tohoku, you think of Hirosaki and Sendai.
Sendai Toshogu Shrine, which was proposed to Iemitsu Tokugawa by the Date family, who had ties to the Tokugawa family, is a historic shrine that will celebrate its 365th anniversary in 2018!

So, this time I would like to introduce you to Sendai Toshogu Shrine!

Background of the construction of Toshogu Shrine

Toshogu Shrine is a shrine that various feudal lords competed to build because it was said to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In the Tohoku region, the Hirosaki domain was the first to build it in 1617.
Next, a construction rush began with the Aizu Gamo clan and the Tsuruoka domain.

Our Sendai Toshogu Shrine was built in 1654.
This was 37 years later than the Hirosaki domain.

Why was it decided that Toshogu Shrine would also be built in Sendai?
It was caused by the Great Sendai Fire that occurred in 1636.

In this year, the Sendai domain had a series of misfortunes, with Date Masamune dying and Wakabayashi's warehouse disappearing.
A major flood occurred the following year, and finances became tight.
This financial crisis could not have been overcome without borrowing a large sum of 100,000 ryo from the shogunate.

Out of gratitude for being lent such a large amount of money, the second lord of the domain, Date Tadamune, asked Tokugawa Iemitsu to build Toshogu Shrine.
In this way, a magnificent shrine building was built in Tamatezaki, Odawara Village, northeast of Sendai Castle.

What is Odawara Village Tamatezaki?

So, why did Toshogu Shrine come to be built in Tamatezaki, far away from Sendai Castle?

Tamatezaki is located northeast of Sendai City.
This is a scenic small hill where if the weather is good, you can see the blue sea in the distance.

In fact, it is said that this land had some connection with Tokugawa Ieyasu.
In 1591, on his way back to Edo, Tokugawa Ieyasu took a rest at this place, which was then the precincts of Tenjin Shrine.
Tamatezaki, with its beautiful scenery, was probably the perfect place to take a break.
Because of this connection, it was chosen as the enshrinement site as it is connected to the enshrined deity.

Highlights of Sendai Toshogu Shrine

Sendai Toshogu Shrine is a designated important cultural property of the country.
There are many things to see.

For example, the heavy gate in front of the main shrine.
This gate is called Zuishinmon, and is a three-room, one-door, tower-style gate.
The key point is that even though Karasamawa-sama's methods are incorporated in various places, the balance of the mobile phone is strangely balanced.

Additionally, an antique market is held on the fourth Sunday of every month, adding vibrancy to the path from the stone torii gate to the stone steps.
If you are going to visit Toshogu Shrine, it might be a good idea to come on a day when the antique market is held.
Antique markets sell not only kimonos, pottery, and antique accessories, but also antique goods that you wouldn't normally know where to buy, such as boxes for hanging scrolls, so it's a lot of fun even for people who want to start collecting antiques. Yes!

Personally, my favorite way to enjoy it is to look down on the antique market from the area where Zuishinmon is located.
You can feel the contrast between the tranquility of the shrine and the vibrancy of the city, making Toshogu Shrine even more appealing!

In addition, the main shrine behind the shrine where the object of worship is enshrined, the Karamon gate and transparent fence surrounding the main shrine, and the stone torii gate at the entrance of the shrine are all important cultural properties, so don't forget to check them out!
By the way, the Chozuya is a designated tangible cultural property of Miyagi Prefecture, and the stone steps are a registered tangible cultural property of Sendai City.

access

The best way to get to Sendai Toshogu is from Toshogu Station on the JR Senzan Line.
Don't forget to get off the train, as it takes just one stop from Sendai Station.
For those arriving by car, there is a free parking lot with space for 200 cars.
Parking may not be available on days when there are festivals or events, so please allow plenty of time for your visit.

INFORMATION