— A Night Journey into Ieyasu’s Legacy of Peace —
Private Access to Sacred Rites, Samurai Armor & the Way of Tea
— A Night Journey into
Ieyasu’s Legacy of Peace —
Private Access to Sacred Rites,
Samurai Armor & the Way of Tea
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Shizuoka - Specially illuminated for an evening viewing
Discover the final resting place of
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun
who secured 260 years of peace for Japan.
Step into his sanctuary on
an exclusive night tour, after regular visiting hours,
where you can wear samurai armor
and savor tea as the shrine illuminates the night.
The true heart of a place
is hardly ever revealed in famous sights alone.
For those seeking a unique experience,
the aim is not just sightseeing,
but full immersion
into the depths of history,
and the spirit behind it.
If you are seeking authenticity,
we invite you to experience
Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, after its regular hours.
In the stillness of evening,
immerse yourself in history,
entirely undisturbed.
Set at Kunozan Toshogu Shrine in Shizuoka (the sacred resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu,
a designated National Treasure), this small-group journey into
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s sacred sanctuary offers a rare glimpse into the spirit and legacy
of the shogun who shaped Japan’s peaceful era.
Your evening unfolds step by step:
– See authentic treasures up close in the shrine museum
– Enter the National Treasure main shrine for a formal prayer ritual
– Don samurai armor and step into the warrior’s world
– Close the night with a stroll through the illuminated grounds
All of these come together
to create a premium experience that can’t be found anywhere else.
Set at Kunozan Toshogu Shrine in Shizuoka
(the sacred resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a designated National Treasure),
this small-group journey into Tokugawa Ieyasu’s sacred sanctuary offers a rare glimpse into the spirit and legacy
of the shogun who shaped Japan’s peaceful era.
Your evening unfolds step by step:
– See authentic treasures up close in the shrine museum
– Enter the National Treasure main shrine for
a formal prayer ritual
– Don samurai armor and step into the warrior’s world
– Close the night with a stroll through
the illuminated grounds
All of these come together
to create a premium experience
that can’t be found anywhere else.
For more than a century,
Japan was torn apart by civil war as rival warlords fought for control of the land.
Tokugawa Ieyasu brought that age to an end.
In 1603, he was appointed shogun (military ruler) by the emperor and founded the Tokugawa shogunate.
The peace he established endured for 260 years.
This long era of peace is remembered in Japan as Taihei no Yo, “the Age of Great Peace.”
Today, Ieyasu is remembered as one of the greatest leaders in Japanese history
and has become the real-life inspiration for the legendary shogun in novels and on screen.
Ieyasu’s final years were spent in Shizuoka.
When he died in 1616, he was laid to rest here on Mount Kuno, as he had wished.
The following year, his son, the second shogun,built a shrine to honor him as a deity.
Its main shrine, a designated National Treasure,
is where he has been honored for more than 400 years.
Throughout the grounds,you will find the three-leaf hollyhock crest,
the emblem of the Tokugawa family, similar to a royal coat of arms.
Alongside the armor of all fifteen Tokugawa shoguns,
it tells the story of a dynasty that shaped Japan for nearly three centuries,
offering timeless lessons in leadership that still resonate today.
For more than a century,
Japan was torn apart by civil war
as rival warlords fought for control of the land.
Tokugawa Ieyasu brought that age to an end.
In 1603, he was appointed shogun (military ruler)
by the emperor and founded the Tokugawa shogunate.
The peace he established endured for 260 years.
This long era of peace is remembered in Japan
as Taihei no Yo, “the Age of Great Peace.”
Today, Ieyasu is remembered as one of
the greatest leaders in Japanese history
and has become the real-life inspiration
for the legendary shogun in novels and on screen.
Ieyasu’s final years were spent in Shizuoka.
When he died in 1616, he was laid to rest
here on Mount Kuno, as he had wished.
The following year, his son, the second shogun,
built a shrine to honor him as a deity.
Its main shrine, a designated National Treasure,
is where he has been honored for more than 400 years.
Throughout the grounds,
you will find the three-leaf hollyhock crest,
the emblem of the Tokugawa family,
similar to a royal coat of arms.
Alongside the armor of all fifteen Tokugawa shoguns,
it tells the story of a dynasty that
shaped Japan for nearly three centuries,
offering timeless lessons in leadership
that still resonate today.
A Curator-Guided Museum Tour
The Armor of All Fifteen Shoguns and Legendary Swords
01
Explore the Kunozan Toshogu Museum
with an expert curator as your guide.
See the armor of all fifteen Tokugawa shoguns
put together in one location.
You will also see legendary blades
such as the National Treasure tachi
(a long, curved sword that predates the katana)
signed “Sanetsune,” and
the Important Cultural Property tachi signed “Unji.”
With expert insight, the history
and spirit of the shoguns vividly come to life.
Formal Worship
Inside the National Treasure Main Shrine
A Place Once Only Accessible to Shoguns
02
Step inside the main shrine that was
once open only to shoguns
and the highest-ranking samurai,
and is still closed to ordinary visitors today.
Here, you will take part in
a formal Shinto prayer ritual (gokito)
conducted by the shrine’s priests.
Afterwards, the chief priest will give
a special speech on Ieyasu’s wish for peace,
offering a rare glimpse
into the heart of Japan’s spiritual traditions.
Samurai Armor Experience at the Kagura Hall
Samurai Armor Experience
at the Kagura Hall
Wear the Armor and Feel the Samurai Spirit
03
Having learned the history, it’s time for you to live it.
In the Kagura Hall (a sacred stage where music
and dance are offered to the gods),
you will be dressed in a meticulously crafted replica
of authentic samurai armor.
Feel its weight, stand like a warrior once stood,
and connect with the spirit of the samurai.
Photos are allowed, so feel free to capture the moment
in this extraordinary setting.
An Evening Stroll Through the Illuminated Shrine
An Evening Stroll
Through the Illuminated Shrine
Toshogu at Night, Woven from Silence and Light
04
After regular visiting hours,
Toshogu reveals an entirely different side.
Vivid carvings and centuries-old architecture emerge
from the darkness, bathed in gentle light.
On the Romon Gate, look out for the baku,
a mythical beast said to bring peace
by devouring iron and copper,
the very metals used to make weapons.
The illumination draws on this symbol,
echoing Ieyasu’s prayer for peace across the sacred grounds.
Walk slowly, breathe in centuries of history,
and reflect on what peace means to you.
A Tranquil Matcha Experience with Urasenke
A Tranquil Matcha Experience
with Urasenke
The Art and Hospitality of Tea on a Sacred Stage
05
On the stage of the Kagura Hall,
enjoy an authentic tea gathering
hosted by members of Urasenke,
one of Japan’s leading schools of tea,
founded by the descendants of the legendary
16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu.
For the samurai, tea was a path to calm and focus.
From premium seats,
watch the graceful ritual as fine matcha from Shizuoka,
one of Japan’s most celebrated
tea-growing regions, is prepared before you,
and experience the essence of Chado
(the Way of Tea) with all five senses.
A Curator-Guided Museum Tour
The Armor of All Fifteen Shoguns and Legendary Swords
01
Explore the Kunozan Toshogu Museum
with an expert curator as your guide.
See the armor of all fifteen Tokugawa shoguns
put together in one location.
You will also see legendary blades
such as the National Treasure tachi
(a long, curved sword that predates the katana)
signed “Sanetsune,” and
the Important Cultural Property tachi signed “Unji.”
With expert insight, the history
and spirit of the shoguns vividly come to life.
Formal Worship
Inside the National Treasure Main Shrine
A Place Once Only Accessible to Shoguns
02
Step inside the main shrine that was
once open only to shoguns
and the highest-ranking samurai,
and is still closed to ordinary visitors today.
Here, you will take part in
a formal Shinto prayer ritual (gokito)
conducted by the shrine’s priests.
Afterwards, the chief priest will give
a special speech on Ieyasu’s wish for peace,
offering a rare glimpse
into the heart of Japan’s spiritual traditions.
Samurai Armor Experience at the Kagura Hall
Samurai Armor Experience
at the Kagura Hall
Wear the Armor and Feel the Samurai Spirit
03
Having learned the history, it’s time for you to live it.
In the Kagura Hall (a sacred stage where music and dance are offered to the gods),
you will be dressed in a meticulously crafted replica
of authentic samurai armor.
Feel its weight, stand like a warrior once stood,
and connect with the spirit of the samurai.
Photos are allowed, so feel free to capture the moment
in this extraordinary setting.
An Evening Stroll Through the Illuminated Shrine
An Evening Stroll
Through the Illuminated Shrine
Toshogu at Night, Woven from Silence and Light
04
After regular visiting hours,
Toshogu reveals an entirely different side.
Vivid carvings and centuries-old architecture emerge
from the darkness, bathed in gentle light.
On the Romon Gate, look out for the baku,
a mythical beast said to bring peace
by devouring iron and copper,
the very metals used to make weapons.
The illumination draws on this symbol,
echoing Ieyasu’s prayer for peace across the sacred grounds.
Walk slowly, breathe in centuries of history,
and reflect on what peace means to you.
A Tranquil Matcha Experience with Urasenke
A Tranquil Matcha Experience
with Urasenke
The Art and Hospitality of Tea on a Sacred Stage
05
On the stage of the Kagura Hall,
enjoy an authentic tea gathering
hosted by members of Urasenke,
one of Japan’s leading schools of tea,
founded by the descendants of the legendary
16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu.
For the samurai, tea was a path to calm and focus.
From premium seats,
watch the graceful ritual as fine matcha from Shizuoka,
one of Japan’s most celebrated
tea-growing regions, is prepared before you,
and experience the essence of Chado
(the Way of Tea) with all five senses.
If you would like to stay overnight,
we will be happy to recommend accommodation.
Please contact us for details.
If you would like to stay overnight,
we will be happy to recommend accommodation.
Please contact us for details.
From our first meeting at JR Shizuoka Station to the end of the tour,
every moment is seamlessly taken care of.
Travel in a luxury chauffeured car to Nihondaira, then ride the ropeway to the shrine.
Kunozan Toshogu sits atop Mount Kuno, and can be
reached on foot by climbing 1,159 stone steps from the coast.
For our guests, we will be traveling by a scenic ropeway ride offering sweeping views across Suruga Bay.
| Time | Activity | Details / Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Pick-up & transfer | From JR Shizuoka Station by luxury chauffeured car |
| Nihondaira Ropeway | Ride up to the mountaintop shrine, with sweeping views of Suruga Bay | |
| Curator-led museum tour | Kunozan Toshogu Museum | |
| Formal worship & talk by the chief priest | National Treasure main shrine | |
| Samurai armor experience | Kagura Hall | |
| Illuminated evening stroll & tea gathering | Shrine grounds and Kagura Hall (tea hosted by members of Urasenke) | |
| 19:00 | Transfer | The tour ends with a drop-off at JR Shizuoka Station |
This is more than just a sightseeing tour.
It is an exclusive program built around four rare experiences unavailable to the general public:
– Formal worship inside the National Treasure main shrine after regular visiting hours
– Expert commentary from the museum curator and the chief priest
– Wearing samurai armor in the sacred Kagura Hall
– A special tea gathering hosted
by members of Urasenke, not normally offered to the public
Time spent with authentic history is more than an escape from the ordinary.
It is an investment in your perspective as a leader,
and a memory that will stay with you for life.
Price
JPY 150,000 per person (tax included)
JPY 150,000 per person (tax included)
*If you would like to add an overnight stay, please contact us.
Book Now
Organized by The Shizuoka Shimbun,
a leading regional newspaper
In cooperation with Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
*This program is supported by a grant from the Japan Tourism Agency, a national government agency.
This tour is held only on Friday evenings, with limited places.
Once general visitors have left, the shrine settles into stillness.
You will then have space to relax, take in each experience,
and enjoy unhurried conversation with your fellow guests.
This tour is held only on Friday evenings,
with limited places.
Once general visitors have left,
the shrine settles into stillness.
You will then have space to relax,
take in each experience,
and enjoy unhurried conversation
with your fellow guests.
A.
Yes. A dedicated English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
From expert historical commentary to the chief priest’s special talk,
everything will be interpreted into English, so you can immerse yourself fully
in the experience without any language barrier.
A.
JR Shizuoka Station, the meeting point, is about one hour from both Tokyo and Nagoya
by Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train),
making it easy to fit into a business trip or travel itinerary.
A.
Yes. Everyone is welcome to join the tour and visit the shrine,
whatever their religion or beliefs.
We warmly welcome guests from all backgrounds and from all over the world to experience
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s wish for peace and the beauty of Japan’s cultural traditions.
A.
As the tour includes formal worship at a sacred site,
we recommend smart casual attire.
The shrine grounds have many stairs,
so please wear comfortable walking shoes.
A.
Many activities take place indoors,
so the tour runs rain or shine.
In severe weather, parts of the program may be adjusted for your safety.
Places are limited for each date.
Capacity: Up to 6 guests per date (children under 12 not included)
*Children under 12 join free of charge but cannot take part in the samurai armor experience.
Step away from the mundane
and accept your invitation to an extraordinary night with history.
Only a few places left
Places are limited for each date.
Capacity: Up to 6 guests per date
(children under 12 not included)
*Children under 12 join free of charge but cannot take part in the samurai armor experience.
Step away from the mundane
and accept your invitation to an
extraordinary night with history.
Only a few places left