Shrines and Temples in Nikko

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine worships Ieyasu Tokugawa. Most of the shrine buildings were constructed in 1636 under the order of the third Shogun Iemitsu. There are 55 buildings comprising eight national treasure buildings and 34 important cultural property buildings in the precinct of the shrine. The magnificent beauty of the buildings is overwhelming. Coming from various places in Japan, the artisans decorated the buildings using lacquer or brilliant colors. The pillars are embellished with many different sculptures.

Nikko Futarasan Shrine

Saint Shodo opened the shrine at Nikko over 1,200 years ago. Futarasan Shrine is the old shrine where the worship of the Nikko Mountains began. The shrine worships Mount Futara (or Mount Nantai) as the sacred body of the god. The local people have respected and worshipped at the shrine for ages. The popularity of Futarasan Shrine is also renowned for its matchmaking power. Shinkyo Bridge is a beautiful bridge made of red-painted wood, adorning the entrance of the shrines and temples in the mountains of Nikko. It is a kind of gateway to the world heritage shrines and temples in Nikko.

Rinno-ji Temple

Rinno-ji Temple is a general term for 15 buildings including halls and towers. It began with the establishment of Shihonryu-ji Temple by Saint Shodo, the originator of the worship of the Nikko mountains, over 1,200 years ago. Sanbutsudo, the hall worshipping the true Buddhist saints, is the largest wooden architecture in the Nikko mountains, enshrining three Buddhist statues: Senju Kannon (Mount Nantai), Amidanyorai (Mount Nyoho) and Bato Kannon (Mount Taro).