Kunozan Toshogu (久能山東照宮, Kunōzan Tōshōgū) is a shrine dedicated to the famous leader Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) who brought a long period of civil wars to an end and united all of Japan. Having spent the last decade of his life at the nearby Sumpu Castle, Ieyasu expressed his wish for a mausoleum on Mount Kunozan. Of the many Toshogu shrines dedicated to Ieyasu throughout Japan, Shizuoka's is second in importance only to Nikko's Toshogu.

The main approach to Kunozan Toshogu is from the south and involves a considerable climb up the mountain. Over a thousand stone steps zig zag up the mountainside, allowing for impressive views of Suruga Bay and the oceanside along the way. Travelers who would rather not subject themselves to the climb can access the shrine by ropeway from the north from the Nihondaira plateau instead.

The shrine complex itself is extensive and consists of a large number of bright red buildings decorated with gold accents and colorful carvings and paintings. The Romon Gate is located right after the ticket booth, behind which the route leads past a stable, a drum tower and a copper lantern to the main buildings, the Haiden and Honden halls. Even deeper in the woods, sits the tomb of Ieyasu.

Outside the shrine stands the Museum of Kunozan Toshogu which exhibits some of Ieyasu's personal belongings and shrine treasures, such as swords, armors and hanging scrolls.

Further up the mountain - above the shrine - is the Nihondaira plateau (日本平), which can be reached by the Nihondaira Ropeway. The plateau is well known for its views over Suruga Bay, Shimizu Port, tea fields and - most famously - Mount Fuji.

Getting there and around

Kunozan Shrine can either be accessed from the south by climbing approximately 1000 stone steps or by ropeway from the north from the Nihondaira plateau.

By foot from the south

It is about a 30 minute bus ride from either Shizuoka Station (most connection require a transfer at Otani 大谷) or Shimizu Station to Kunozan-shita bus stop (久能山下), from where the climb to the shrine takes about 20 minutes.

By ropeway from Nihondaira

There are hourly buses from Shizuoka Station to Nihondaira (日本平, 45 minutes, 590 yen one way) from where the ropeway can be taken to the shrine (5 minutes, every 10-15 minutes). The ropeway costs 700 yen one way, 1250 yen round trip or 1950 yen for a round trip and admission to the shrine and museum.

How to get to and around Shizuoka

Hours and Fees

Kunozan Toshogu Shrine

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Shizuoka

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    • HOTEL OLE INN
      Mid-range
      In a prime location in the Aoi Ward district of Shizuoka, HOTEL OLE INN is located 19 km from Rengejiike Park Fuji Festival, less than 1 km from Shizuoka Station and 12 km from Shimizu Station. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, every room has a desk. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Jyoko-ji Temple is 100 metres from HOTEL OLE INN. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 32 km from the accommodation.
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    • Hotel Celeste Shizuoka
      Mid-range
      Located in Shizuoka within 1.2 km of Shizuoka Station and 12 km of Shimizu Station, Hotel Celeste Shizuoka features rooms with free WiFi. Attractively set in the Aoi Ward district, this hotel is set 300 metres from Passage Takajo. The property is non-smoking and is situated 20 km from Rengejiike Park Fuji Festival. All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with free toiletries, the rooms at Hotel Celeste Shizuoka have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms are equipped with a balcony. At the accommodation rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Shizuoka Airport is 33 km from the property.
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    • Guesthouse Hitoyado
      Budget-friendly
      Well set in the Aoi Ward district of Shizuoka, Guesthouse Hitoyado is located 19 km from Rengejiike Park Fuji Festival, 1.2 km from Shizuoka Station and 13 km from Shimizu Station. This guest house is 300 metres from Tokiwa Park and 200 metres from Jyoko-ji Temple. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. All units in the guest house are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a shared bathroom with a shower and slippers, units at the guest house also provide guests with free WiFi. The units include bed linen. There is a coffee shop and lounge. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 32 km from Guesthouse Hitoyado.
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    • Hotel Associa Shizuoka
      Luxury
      Boasting a 15th-floor Italian restaurant, massage services and a spa, Hotel Associa is right next to JR Shizuoka Train Station. Rooms offer free wired internet, video-on-demand movies and a minibar. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Associa Shizuoka feature wood furnishings and a flat-screen satellite TV. The en suite bathroom includes a bathtub and hairdryer. Shizuoka Sengen-jinja Shrine and the Toro Iseki Village Ruins are a 10-minute drive away. Sunpu Park is a 15-minute walk. Shizuoka Prefectural Office is 1 km away, and has a free 21st-floor observation deck with Mount Fuji views. KYOTO TSURUYA Restaurant serves Kyoto-style Japanese specialities, and Lin-Ka offers a Chinese menu. Seafood and meat are freshly grilled before your eyes at Nakotei Teppanyaki. Pergola has coffee and light meals, while Estmare Bar offers drinks and top-floor views.
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    • Hotel Quest Shimizu
      Luxury
      Only a 2-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Shimizu Train Station, Hotel Quest Shimuzu offers modern rooms with free wired internet access. Free Wi-Fi is available and relaxing massages can be requested for an extra cost. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet at the dining room. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV and a fridge. Guests can wear the provided night wear and make green tea using the electric kettle. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. A coin-launderette is on site. Luggage storage is provided as well. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring various local ingredients and a morning curry dish. Quomo restaurant serves Italian dishes. Shimizu Quest Hotel is a 25-minute drive from Nihondaira Stadium and a 10-minute drive from S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
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    • Hotel Wing International Shizuoka
      Mid-range
      Located in Shizuoka, 19 km from Rengejiike Park Fuji Festival, Hotel Wing International Shizuoka provides air-conditioned rooms and a restaurant. Set in the Aoi Ward district, the hotel is within 13 km of Shimizu Station. Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Hotel Wing International Shizuoka all rooms are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Hotel Wing International Shizuoka can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Shizuoka Station, Jyoko-ji Temple and Tokiwa Park. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 33 km from Hotel Wing International Shizuoka.
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    • Garden Hotel Shizuoka
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Shizuoka, 700 metres from Shizuoka Station, Garden Hotel Shizuoka features views of the city. With free WiFi, this 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 19 km from Rengejiike Park Fuji Festival. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Garden Hotel Shizuoka the rooms include bed linen and towels. Shimizu Station is 12 km from the accommodation, while Saigo Yamaoka Conference Monument is 400 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Shizuoka Airport, 32 km from Garden Hotel Shizuoka.
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    • HOTEL GRAND HILLS SHIZUOKA
      Luxury
      Conveniently situated just a 1-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station, Hotel Grand Hills Shizuoka offers comfortable guestrooms with great views, all located above 18th floor. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property. Fitted with large windows and modern simple d?cor, each room features a flat-screen TV with pay-per-view programmes, a fridge and an electric kettle. The en suite bathroom includes a bath tub and toiletries. While staying at Hotel Grand Hills Shizuoka, guests can request in-room massages or laundry services at an extra charge. A range of items like DVD player and air humidifier can be borrowed from the 24-hour front desk. Rental laptops are available, and coin-operated internet PCs can be used in the lobby. The Century Hotel is a minute's walk from Shizuoka City Museum of Art and a 15-minute walk from Sumpu-jo Park. Nihondaira Zoo is a 20-minute drive away. A hearty Western breakfast buffet is offered at THE TABLE, an all day dining restaurant, on the ground floor. Keyaki restaurant serves delicious Teppanyaki dishes, while Hisuikyu offers sophisticated modern Chinese cuisine. Cocktails and whiskies can be enjoyed at the Email bar lounge on the top floor.
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    • Hotel Citio Shizuoka
      Budget-friendly
      Located a 5-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Station, and within a minute's walk from Shin-Shizuoka Station and Shin-Shizuoka Bus Terminal, Hotel Citio Shizuoka offers rooms with free WiFi access in the heart of the city. large food courts, department stores, convenience stores, restaurants and Sunpu Castle Park are all within a 5-minute stroll from the Hotel. All rooms come equipped with a Simmons bed and are air-conditioned. Rooms feature high-tech toilets, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and free toiletries. All rooms have been renovated in August 2016. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and an iron service. Guests can borrow items such as a trouser press, air purifier and air humidifier from the front desk. Drink vending machines are available on site. There is a public paid parking space situated within a 3-minute walk from the hotel. Hotel CITIO Shizuoka is a 5-minute walk from Sunpu Castle, and a 7-minute drive from Sengen Jinja Shrine.
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    • Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Shizuoka Ekinan
      Mid-range
      Featuring free WiFi, wired internet and bicycle rentals, Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Shizuoka Ekinan is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from JR Shizuoka Shinkansen (bullet train) Station. Coin launderette and free-use PCs are available in the public area. Fitted with chic colours, all rooms come with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. An air purifier/humidifier is also provided in each room. The bathroom has a massage shower head, a bathtub and free toiletries. The Prezio Hotel provides drinks vending machines and a mini shop on site. The 24-hour front desk offers luggage storage services. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from Sunpu Castle Park. Guests can enjoy a healthy breakfast buffet what includes homemade Japanese dishes and local specialities.
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