Motoshirocho Toshogu

Motoshirocho Toshogu, also known as Hamamatsu Toshogu, is a Shinto shrine located in Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The shrine was established in 1886 following a petition by Ii Hachiro, the former castellan of Hamamatsu Castle, in 1877. Due to funding difficulties, a temporary shrine was built in 1887 on the grounds of the adjacent Dai Nippon Hotokusha, and the permanent shrine at Motoshirocho was not completed until 1936. The shrine burned down during World War II and was later reconstructed.

The site holds exceptional historical importance as it stands on the grounds of Hikuma Castle, where Tokugawa Ieyasu lived for 17 years, from age 29 to 45. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, is enshrined as Tosho Daigongen, meaning "Great Gongen, Light of the East". The shrine is one of 48 Toshogu shrines throughout Japan dedicated to Ieyasu's deified spirit. The site also connects to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who visited the location, and the shrine is popularly known as the "Shusse Jinja" or "Shrine of Success" because both warlords achieved their ambitions after their time here.

Visitors can explore the shrine grounds featuring statues of Tokugawa Ieyasu wielding a saihai and a young Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A unique attraction is the heart-shaped lantern, popular for photographs. The grounds include a large old camphor tree with historical connections to Ieyasu. The shrine holds its main festival annually on October 10. Worshippers visit to pray for career advancement, business prosperity, and matchmaking, reflecting Ieyasu's role in unifying Japan and bringing peace.

The shrine is located approximately 5 minutes by bus from Hamamatsu Station or about a 5-minute walk from nearby Hamamatsu Castle. The shrine does not have dedicated parking facilities, so visitors should use the parking lot at Hamamatsu Castle Park. Admission to the shrine is free, making it accessible for all visitors exploring Hamamatsu's historical sites.