Tokugawa Mausoleum

The Tokugawa Mausoleum (徳川家霊台, Tokugawa-ke Reidai) was built in 1643 by the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, to house the remains of his family near the sacred mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. This impressive structure consists of two buildings, each dedicated to an important Tokugawa figure. The mausoleum’s extravagant design features the elegance of the early Edo Period, with curved roofs, rich carvings, intricate lacquerwork, and gold leaf. On the right, the mausoleum honors Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, and on the left, Hidetada, his son and the second shogun.

The mausoleum took two decades to complete, and the Tokugawa Mausoleum in Koyasan remains a stunning example of 17th-century craftsmanship and spiritual devotion. Though numerous other Tokugawa family mausoleums exist, the one in Koyasan is unique for its historical significance and the majestic beauty of its architecture. The Tokugawa Mausoleum reflects the deep respect for family legacy and the enduring connection between the Tokugawa shogunate and Koyasan’s religious traditions.