Dec 3, 2014 - 1 min read

Hamamatsu Toshogu

Check out the carvings at this intimate shrine

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

This fierce-looking dragon is just ready to swoop down on you from the eaves.

The shrine building.

A big old lantern.

This guardian lion has her mouth closed...

... and this one has his open.

Another dragon up in the eaves.

One of the relief carvings to the side of the shrine building.

And the relief carving on the other side.

The wooded setting makes for a peaceful atmosphere.

Purify your hands here before praying at the shrine..

This cat will watch to make sure you wash your hands properly.

And so will these dragons.

The gate and entrance from the street.

If you're in the vicinity of Hamamatsu Castle, it's worth dropping by at Toshogu, a small but appealing shrine just to the east of the park. Its appeal lies in the intimate setting, and the range of different carvings you'll find around the shrine building: there's a pair of unusually chubby guardian lions, menacing dragons up in the eaves, and a couple of relief carvings that are a bit weathered but still interesting.

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Peter Sidell

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

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