Highlights Play and Study in Chiyoda

 江戸城跡地から徳川幕府の祈願所まで。家康所縁の地9選
  • From Edo Castle ruin to the place for prayer of Tokugawa Shogunate. Nine places related with Ieyasu.
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"Dosuru Ieyasu(What Would You Do, Ieyasu?)"is a historical drama broadcast by NHK since January 2023. The drama depicts the life of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, who united the country and became Shogun at the end of a turbulent era. The story of Ieyasu, known to all Japanese, will attract even those who are not familiar with history.

Edo Castle, which Ieyasu based in, was constructed at the place of The Imperial Palace, Chiyoda city today. Around the site, there are many places and facilities which Ieyasu was involved. This time, we would like to introduce nine selected places related to Ieyasu. To enjoy and feel more enthusiasm for the drama, we recommend you visit these sites.

Onjuku Inari ShrineOnjuku Inari Shrine was originally Ieyasu's lodging when he relocated his territory to Kanto area.

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Onjuku Inari Shrine is a 4-minute walk from Otemachi Station. Uchi-kanda 1-chome, where this shrine is, used to be called Musashinokuni Toshimagun Kandamura.

It is said that when Tokugawa Ieyasu relocated his territory to Kanto by order of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, the house he used as an accommodation was in this Musashinokuni Toshimagun Kandamura. Later, the shrine enshrined in this house was named "Onjuku Inari Shrine" in memory of Ieyasu's lodging.
Later, the shrine pavilions of Onjuku Inari Shrine burned down in the war damage. But object of worship was not damaged. The shrine pavilions were once rebuilt in 1956 and in 2007, they were newly built.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Onjuku Inari Shrine

Onjuku Inari Shrine Read more

Shinpoji TempleShimpoji Temple: A priest who went to Edo with Ieyasu founded it for townspeople.

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Simpoji Temple is located from 4-minute walk from JR Yotsuya Station. It is a Jodo sect temple opened by NENOSEIZAN Shonin, who moved to Edo with Tokugawa Ieyasu from Mikawano Kuni, located Aichi prefecture today.

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Within the premises, Koshinto-pagoda resides, which is Designated Cultural Property of Chiyoda city.

Ieyasu accompanied Nenouseizan Shonin to Edo and did not want him to return to Mikawa. Ieyasu offered to give Nenoseizan Shonin a large temple site in Ichigaya in exchange for staying in Edo. But Nenoseizan Shonin turned down this offer and said, "If a priest is well fed and clothed, he will become a sloth and start to hate serving Buddha." and also said "I would like this temple to make a popular one for townspeople who move to Edo." Then in 1597, Shinpoji Temple was constructed in 1597 at the present place.

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Since Edo era, many temples were relocated due to war damage or city development but this Shimpoji Temple continued to stay in this place. Currently, Shimpoji is known as a temple that has the longest history in this area.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Shinpoji Temple

Shinpoji Temple Read more

Address 6-4-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku
TEL 03-3261-2104

Statue of De LiefdeStatue of De Liefde: Landmark of Jan Joosten's story, who helped Ieyasu unify the whole country.

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Marunouchi Building directly connected to Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station. The Statue of De Liefde is located beside Marunouchi Building, familiarly known as Marubiru.

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Marunouchi 2-chome, where this Statue of De Liefde stands, was once the site of the Yaesu river bank. The name Yaesu came from Jan joosten, a Dutch sailor.

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Back in 1600, Jan Joosten drifted down to Kyushu on a Dutch ship the De Liefde. Later, he earned the confidence of Tokugawa Ieyasu and became an advisor of foreign diplomacy and gunnery. In the Battle of Sekigahara, which broke out in the same year, he used cannons and artilery troops of the De Liefde and contributed to Ieyasu's victory. It is said that as the mansion given to Jan Joosten was located from Babasakimon to the edge of the moat of Wadakura today, people started calling this moat "Yayosu river bank" and later it became Yaesu shore" (different from the present-day place) and the name prevailed.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Statue of De Liefde

Statue of De Liefde Read more

Address 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Hirakawa-tenmangu ShrineHirakawa Tenmangu Tokugawa Shogunate's place for prayer. Nadeushi Statue on which you pray stroking.

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At first, it was located inside Edo Castle, but in association with the construction of the castle keep by Tokugawa Ieyasu and furthermore, with an extention construction by TOKUGAWA Hidetada, it was relocated to the present place. Tokugawa Ieyasu as well as main diety SUGAWARA Michizane are worshipped.

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Hirakawa Tenmangu was the place for prayer not only for Tokugawa Shogunate but also for Kishu Domain Tokugawa family and Hikone Domain Ii family. The shrine was treated as special social status. For example, at New Year's Celebration, Chief priest could meet with Shogun individually.

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A Statue of Nadeushi sits on the left as you enter the precincts. Since old times, ox have been believed to be a messenger of Sugawara Michizane, who was born in the year of Ox sign of the zodiac. According to tradition, if you whisper a wish to the divine Ox, you can receive good luck. If you want to be healthy, you stroke the part of the body you are concerned about and if your wish is related to learning, you should stroke the head.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Hirakawa-tenmangu Shrine

Hirakawa-tenmangu Shrine Read more

Address 1-7-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku

The East Gardens of the Imperial PalaceImperial East Garden has many historic sites that make you think of Ieyasu and Edo Castle ruin.

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The East Garden of the Imperial Palace is 5-minute walk from Subway Otemachi Station or Takebashi Station. This is the garden attached to the Imperial Palace where you can see a lot of histric sites. Inside the garden, the former site of Edo Castle is now open to the public as a lawn square, you can see closely the Tenshu-dai base of the main tower whose tower wasn't reconstructed and Fujimi Yagura (Mt.Fuji view keep) used instead of the tower of the castle.

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Edo Castle appeared in 1457. OTA Dokan had it constructed and later in 1524, it became a subsidiary castle of Hojo clan. In 1590, Hojo clan was destroyed by the Seige of Odawara by TOYOTAMI Hideyoshi and TOKUGAWA Ieyasu moved into Edo Castle. And in 1603, when Ieyasu was appointed Seii Taishogun, full-scale renovation work was conducted. Then, the castle town was expanded by cutting down Mt. Kanda, north of Edo Castle,and reclaiming the sea. In addition, Ninomaru citadel and Sannomaru citadel of Edo Castle were expanded and five-storied castle Tenshu was newly constructed.

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The Tenshu-dai base of the main tower is open to the public and you can climb up and enjoy the view. The Stone masonry remains. (about 41m from east to west, about 45m from south to north, hight 11m)

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In the south of the ruin of Edo Castle, Fujimi Yagura(Mt.Fuji view keep) is located. This Fujimi Yagura is known as the three-storied watchtower that is the only remain as a histric landmark of Edo Castle. And at Honmaru Kyukeijo Zouchikuto, you can see the scale model of Edo Castle. The East Garden of the Imperial Palace can be accessed from three gates. From Takebashi Station, Hirakawa-mon Gate and Kita-hanebashi-mon Gate are closer and from Otemachi Station, Ote-mon Gate is closer.

SPOT INFORMATION
 The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace Read more

Address 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03-3213-2050

Hanzo-mon gateThe name came from HATTORI Hanzo Ieyasu trusted.Hanzo-mon Gate was built to guard Edo Castle.

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Hanzo-mon Gate, 5-minute walk from subway Hanzomon Station. It was built on the west side of Edo Castle to protect Edo Castle that topographically weakly defended at that time.

It is said that the gate was named Hanzo-mon Gate after Hattori Hanzo on whom Tokugawa Ieyasu relied very much. Hattori Hanzo's Iga samurais were garrisons. Other gates of Edo Castle were named after lands or rivers but only this Hanzo-mon Gate was named after a person.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Hanzo-mon gate

Hanzo-mon gate Read more

Address 1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Hie-jinja ShrineHie-jinja Shrine that has been revered as the guardian deity of Tokugawa families

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Hie-jinja Shrine, 3-minute walk from Subway Akasaka Station or Tameike-sanno Station. This Hie-jinja Shrine is said to have been built during Kamakura era. Later, in 1478, Ota Dokan once again enshrined the god of Hie-jinja Shrine inside Edo Castle. In 1590, after Tokugawa Ieyasu settled in the castle, the shrine is said to have been worshipped as the guardian deity of Tokugawa-shogun Families and local deity of Edo. Its rites and festivals were offered protection and floats and the Sanno-matsuri procession entered inside Edo Castle and Shogun himself viewed them. Because of this the festival was called Tenka-masuri (festival of the world) together with Kanda Festival.

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Later in the year 1657, it was hit by the greatest fire called Great Fire of Meireki during Edo era. The shrine pavilion was burned down but the two years later, it was rebuilt in the present place and has been watching people's safety to this day since then.

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Monkeys have been respected as guardians of mountains since old times. In front of the Main Shrine, there is a couple of husband and wife, Statue of divine monkeys.

The main deity of this Shrine, Oyamakui-no-kami governs mountains, and is believed as a guardian of generation and progress of all beings. Also in the precincts, Sanno Inari Shrine, Yasaka Shrine and Sarutahiko Shrine are enshrined as auxiliary shrines.
Homotsu-den (Collection Hall) within the premises, houses many treasures including the swords dedicated by successive generation of Tokugawa Shogun.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Hie-jinja Shrine

Hie-jinja Shrine Read more

Address 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03-3581-2471

Kanda-jinja Shrine (Kanda Myojin Shrine)Kanda Myojin Shrine, a historic shrine at which Ieyasu prayed before the Battle of Sekigahara

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Kanda Myojin Shrine is 5-minute walk from JR Ochanomizu Station, Subway Shin-Ochanomizu Station or Suehirocho Station. In 1600, it is known as the shrine where Tokugawa Ieyasu prayed for victory during the Battle of Sekigahara. September 15th, when he won the Battle of Sekigahara successfully, fell on the day of Kanda Festival, Tokugawa Shogunate families ordered that the festival should be carried out continuously.

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In 1616, Kanda Myojin Shrine was moved to its present location in Soto-kanda, Chiyoda city, to protect the demon's gate of Edo Castle. The shrine building built by the Shogunate is the present Kanda Myojin shrine.

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At "EDOCCO" inside the precincts, there are restaurants and souvenir shops.

The Kanda Festival is still known as a festival that attracts many visitors even after the festival month was changed from September to May.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Kanda-jinja Shrine (Kanda Myojin Shrine)

Kanda-jinja Shrine (Kanda Myojin Shrine) Read more

Address 2-16-2 Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03-3254-0753

Mikawaya Ayabe ShotenProduce and sell koji products. Mikawaya Ayabe Shoten founded by a merchant under Tokugawa Families.

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After going through the Great Torii Gate of Kanda Myojin Shrine, you'll find Mikawaya Ayabe Shoten on your right. Ever since the opening in 1616, they have been producing and selling koji (mold made from rice) products, this shop is well-established with a long history.

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The founder of Mikawaya Ayabe Shoten was originally as a merchant under Tokugawa Shogunate in Mikawa-no-kuni (Aichi prefecture). After going to Edo together with Tokugawa Shogunate, in the same year when Kanda Myojin Shrine was built in the present place, Mikawaya Ayabe Shoten was also founded. Since then, the store has been doing business close to Kanda Myojin Shrine as a well-established store loved by a lot of people.

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Inside the store, there is a tea space, and you can have Enju Amazake made with homemade koji and Sake Manju with soft and fluffy dough. Enju Amazake has smooth, mild texture and clean aftertaste. Good for souvenir.

SPOT INFORMATION
 Mikawaya Ayabe Shoten

Mikawaya Ayabe Shoten Read more

Address 2-17-3 Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
TEL 03-3251-7086
Business Hour [月~土] 9:00~17:00

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