Kenkun Shrine was established in 1869 on order from Emperor Meiji in order
to venerate the spirit of Lord Oda Nobunaga.
Mt. Funaoka is a small mountain that was
regarded as the place of worship for Genbu of the North, a black tortoise and
one of the four god beasts said to guard the cardinal directions around the
Heian capital. From the lush grounds of
Kenkun Shrine you can see Mt. Hiei and Mt. Daimonji (Mt. Nyoigatake) as well as
enjoy the sight of the 36 Peaks of the Higashiyama mountain range in the east.
Though formally known as Takeisao Shrine,
this shrine is more commonly referred to as Kenkun Shrine, or Kenkun-san.