0576 Serada Toshogu Shrine (Gunma Prefecture), where the worship hall was relocated from Nikko, the birthplace of the Tokugawa clan
｜Benefits of Serada Toshogu Shrine
Business prosperity, career success, victory luck, good fortune and improved luck, matchmaking, family safety, academic achievement, prayer for passing exams, recovery from illness, physical health and wellness, warding off evil, and traffic safety
360-degree view of Serada Toshogu Shrine
Near the entrance
Shrine grounds↓
Worship hall↓ (Video)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z4wdC3rvJmNzppoC7
Main hall↓ (Video)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3dupDTAqF5QDoY4u7
｜About Serada Toshogu Shrine
It is one of the Toshogu shrines that enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, but it is located at the birthplace of Ieyasu's ancestors site.
It is an official Tokugawa Shogunate Toshogu shrine, featuring a shrine building relocated from Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
It is a power spot for career success, victory luck, good fortune, family safety, and academic achievement.
※The worship hall is scheduled to finish restoration in February 2026
Ieyasu was buried at Kunozan according to his will, and was later enshrined at Nikko (Toshogu Shrine).
Serada Toshogu Shrine was founded by Iemitsu, who relocated the worship hall and other structures from Nikko Toshogu Shrine with the aim of reviving Chorakuji Temple, which was founded by Yoshisue Nitta, the progenitor of the Tokugawa clan, to honor the virtues of his ancestors.
It was built to honor the virtues of his ancestors and to pray for long-lasting peace in the world.
A Toshogu shrine was built in Nikko for Ieyasu, and this one was built in Serada for the ancestors of the Tokugawa family.
Until the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the Meiji era, Serada Toshogu Shrine was located within Chorakuji Temple, and it is still adjacent to it today.
Gokuro-mon Gate is also known as the matchmaking gate, and it is a wonderful gate where it is said that if you step over the ｜kehanashi (a horizontal threshold that separates the inside and outside of the gate without a groove) when visiting, your good relationships will be fulfilled.
At the time of construction, there were 80-meter-long white walls on the left and right, which made the blackness of the gate stand out.
Worship hall and Karamon Gate are Momoyama-period structures relocated from Nikko Toshogu Shrine 400 years ago.
The gorgeous decorations of the worship hall and the splendor of the intricate carvings are eye-catching.
It looks as if it is about to fly out at any moment.
Main hall features a carving of a nesting hawk said to be by Kano Tanyu.
Ieyasu loved falconry, and it seems it was used as a motif along with the auspicious nature of the hawk.
The parent bird watches over its three chicks, symbolizing the prosperity of descendants, family protection, and family love.
|Iron Lantern was built in 1618, and at 5 meters tall, it was the largest in Japan at the time of its construction.
Along with the weight of the metal, you can feel the profound sense of history and character that has transcended 400 years.
It was the largest in Japan back in 1618.
The Somei Yoshino |Gojinjo Cherry Tree, with its magnificent stature, has become a popular photography and power spot, as it is said that taking a picture here will improve your luck.
With a tree height of 20 meters and a branch spread of 20 meters, it is the largest in Gunma Prefecture and has an overwhelming presence.
↓↓The Gojinjo Cherry Tree is shown in the third photo of the Instagram post below↓↓
The main hall, newly built when Serada Toshogu was founded in 1644, is now 380 years old.
Although the worship hall and the Karamon gate are only designated as Important Cultural Properties, they were relocated from the inner shrine of Nikko Toshogu, making them truly rare. The shrine grounds are packed with historic buildings dating back around 400 years.
According to spiritual lore, if you make a wish at the base of the Gojinjo Cherry Tree when it is in full bloom in spring, the protection of Ieyasu Tokugawa will help even difficult wishes come true.
The shrine grounds have a strong presence of Ieyasu, and you can receive the power of patience and victory.
Access (Google Maps)
Official website, reference sites, etc.
▼34 images. ①Overview and Origins ②Location ③Access ④Parking ⑤Shrine Grounds ⑥Shrine Map ⑦Okuro-mon Gate (Matchmaking Gate) ⑧Chozuya (Water Purification Pavilion) ⑨Kamibansho (Upper Guardhouse) ⑩Reception, Rest Area, and Treasure Hall ⑪Haiden (Worship Hall) ⑫Karamon Gate and Honden (Main Hall) ⑬Hitogata Prayer Site ⑭Kaiun Inari Shrine ⑮Sanshujo (Assembly Hall) ⑯Minami-gomon Gate ⑰Gunma's Largest Somei Yoshino Cherry Tree ⑱Shingon-in Well ⑲Site of Fuko-an Hermitage ⑳Highlights Outside the Grounds ㉑Car Purification Site ㉒Hie Shrine ㉓ Goshuin (Shrine Seal) ㉔Origins of the Birthplace of the Tokugawa Clan ㉕About Serada Toshogu Shrine ㉖Lunch▼
▼◆Abundant signage→History・Precinct Map・Okuro-mon Gate (Matchmaking Gate)・Kaiun Inari Shrine・Site of Zenko-an Temple◆ 20 images. [Table of Contents]Founding (Place associated with the Tokugawa・Origins), Deities and Blessings, Precincts and Worship, Amulets and Goshuin, Famous Cherry Blossom Spot, Facility Information, Summary▼
▼Mostly images. 14 spot images. 1-minute shrine introduction video [Table of Contents] ①Facility Introduction ②Street View ③Past Photography Record ④Facility Movie▼
▼[Official Website]History (Ieyasu's Will), Shrine Grounds Guide, Treasures, Prayers, Edo Period Map of Toshogu Surroundings, Trivia, Origins, Amulets, and Talismans, Sightseeing Guide, Links (Agency for Cultural Affairs, 17 Toshogu Shrines nationwide, etc.), etc.▼
Toshogu Overview and Designated Cultural Properties: (1)Structures (Architecture), (2)Paintings, (3)Crafts, (4)Archaeological Sites ((1) Toshogu (Main Hall, Karamon Gate, Worship Hall) including iron lanterns, ridge plaques, etc.; (2) Thirty-Six Immortal Poets on Board; (3) Tachi Sword (signed Ryokai) including silver-mounted sword scabbard; (4) Nitta-no-sho Ruins (Toshogu Shrine grounds)) (Ota City Official Website)