Tanaka Castle

A Muromachi Period temple known for its garden.

Features a variety of special exhibits along with its own permanent exhibits.

A recreated Yayoi Period village with an accompanying museum with exhibits, artifacts, and information about the Yayoi Period. In addition, they offer a variety of experiences where visitors can try their hand at performing various tasks in the Yayoi way.

It was originally called Kanbe Shrine and served as the tutelary shrine of the former Suruga Province and was later made a Sengen Shrine (shrines dedicated to the worship of Mount Fuji). Tokugawa Ieyasu had the shrine rebuilt near Sunpu Castle for easy access. Over 26 of the structures are designated National Important Cultural Properties.

The castle has not been restored, but the restored guard house is very interesting. The original castle was started in 1585 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that de facto ruled Japan during the Edo Period. In 1607, Tokugawa Ieyasu retired as shogun and started repairing and expanding the original castle. The tower and other buildings that now exist were constructed following blueprints from the 1630s. There is a lifelike statue of Tokugawa and many small replicas of the castles and surrounding buildings, as well as a small but beautiful display of dolls. Nearby is a children's park and a garden with a tea ceremony available. Certainly a place to explore if you have a couple of hours or more to spare.

The actual burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Dynasty. (His official mausoleum is at Nikko.) Most structures here date from 1617.