Serada Toshogu Shrine

Overview

Serada Toshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was founded in 1644, using buildings relocated from the inner sanctuary of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Along with other temples, shrines, and the remains of residences in Ota City, it's designated as a National Historic Site as part of the "Nitta-so Ruins." The history of Serada Toshogu Shrine is deeply intertwined with the Nitta clan. This area is believed to be the site of the residence of Nitta Yoshiie, the founder of the Nitta clan. The adjacent Chogaku-ji Temple houses a memorial stupa for Yoshiie. Successive heads of the Nitta clan's main family provided significant patronage, leading to the area's prosperity. The Tokugawa clan, having entered the Kanto region, claimed descent from the Serada clan, a branch of the Nitta clan, establishing this area as a place of Tokugawa lineage. Therefore, a Toshogu shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu was built here. Serada Toshogu Shrine features buildings relocated from the inner sanctuary of Nikko Toshogu Shrine; its honden (main shrine), haiden (worship hall), and Karamon gate are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. These precious structures perfectly preserve the architectural style of the Edo period, showcasing the advanced techniques of the time. The grounds also include Chogaku-ji Temple, with its memorial stupa for Nitta Yoshiie, as well as the Ota City Nitta-so Historical Museum and Ota City Serada Elementary School, making it an ideal location for a historical exploration.