Tosho-gu Shrine, Tokyo

The Tosho Gu Shrine is a sacred site dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the inaugural shogun who established the city of Tokyo. It stands out as one of the few remaining structures within the city that has retained its original form.

The shrine was originally constructed by a warrior named Todo Takatora, who served as a loyal retainer to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Over time, it underwent significant expansions, with contributions from Hidetada, Ieyasu's son, and later a redesign by Iemitsu, Ieyasu's grandson. This redesign introduced opulent decorations that adorn the shrine's buildings. Within the complex, there are more than 12 Buddhist and Shinto structures, including the final resting places of Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as two other influential figures, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo.

One of the prominent features of the shrine is the Karamon, the main gate, characterized by its Chinese architectural style and embellished with gilded carvings depicting birds and flowers. The Haiden serves as the central hall for conducting various ceremonies, and it is enclosed by a 170-meter-long intricately carved wooden wall known as the Mizu Gaki. As visitors approach the shrine, they are greeted by a pathway adorned with 50 sizable copper lanterns and substantial stone lanterns. The shrine also boasts a collection of exquisite paintings, including murals created by the Edo artist Kano Tan Yu.

Following the Meiji Restoration, a park was designed around the Tosho Gu Shrine, serving as a protective barrier against the frequent fires that plagued Tokyo. Visitors to the shrine have the opportunity to purchase good luck charms, believed to bestow good health and prosperity upon their possessors.