Nikko Toshogu Shrine日光東照宮
The shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu, famous for richly colored carvings such as the Yomeimon Gate, the Sleeping Cat and the Three Wise Monkeys.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Museums
- about 1.5 hr
- Paid entry
- Partly step-free
Bus · About 20 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ World Heritage Meguri bus to Omotesando, then about 8 minutes on foot
What you can do here
Pray at the main shrine
The main shrine, a National Treasure, is made up of the main hall, the stone chamber and the worship hall. Rinse your hands and mouth at the water pavilion first.
Follow the carvings inwards
The admission ticket covers the route from the front gate to Yomeimon, the worship hall, the Sleeping Cat, the inner shrine and Honji-do (the Crying Dragon), among others.
Climb to the inner shrine
The way to the inner shrine (Okumiya) leads on from the Sleeping Cat. Its pagoda holds the coffin of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Hire an audio guide
An audio guide covers 29 buildings in Japanese, English and Chinese. Pick it up straight ahead after the front gate.
Nikko guide
World Heritage shrines and temples, led by Toshogu, stand among tall cedars. A bus ride up the winding Irohazaka road brings you to Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji and the Senjogahara marshland.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By distance
- 1
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
The shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu, famous for richly colored carvings such as the Yomeimon Gate, the Sleeping Cat and the Three Wise Monkeys.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 1.5 hrPaid entryPartly step-free
Bus · About 20 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ World Heritage Meguri bus to Omotesando, then about 8 minutes on foot ・ 100m from here
- 2
Shinkyo Bridge
A vermilion bridge over the Daiya River gorge, marking the entrance to the shrines and temples. Beautiful with the autumn leaves.
- History & buildings
- Views
about 15 minPartly paid
Bus · About 10 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ Bus to Shinkyo ・ 700m from here
- 3
Rinnoji Temple (Sanbutsudo Hall)
The main temple of Nikko. Three large gilded Buddhist statues sit side by side in the Sanbutsudo Hall. Shoyoen Garden is next door.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 45 minPaid entryFine on a rainy day
Bus · About 15 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ World Heritage Meguri bus to Shodo-Shonin-zo-mae ・ 400m from here
- 4
Taiyuin Mausoleum
The mausoleum of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Its gold and black design is more restrained, and it is quieter than Toshogu.
- History & buildings
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Museums
about 45 minPaid entryMany stairs or slopes
Bus · About 20 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ World Heritage Meguri bus to Taiyuin Futarasan-jinja-mae ・ 300m from here
- 5
Futarasan Shrine
An old shrine dedicated to Mt. Nantai and the other mountains of Nikko, set among cedars next to Toshogu.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 30 minFree
Bus · About 20 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ World Heritage Meguri bus to Taiyuin Futarasan-jinja-mae ・ 200m from here
- 6
Kegon Falls
The water of Lake Chuzenji drops about 97 meters in a single fall. An elevator goes down to a viewing platform near the basin.
- Nature
- Views
about 30 minPartly paidPartly step-free
Bus · About 55 min from Tobu-Nikko ・ Bus to Chuzenji Onsen, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 8.9km from here
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Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Area guide
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Within walking distance
Within walking distance of here
See nearby on a mapWalking times are estimates from the straight-line distance.
- Go hereFutarasan ShrineAbout 4 min on foot
An old shrine dedicated to Mt. Nantai and the other mountains of Nikko, set among cedars next to Toshogu.
- Go hereTaiyuin MausoleumAbout 6 min on foot
The mausoleum of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Its gold and black design is more restrained, and it is quieter than Toshogu.
- Go hereRinnoji Temple (Sanbutsudo Hall)About 6 min on foot
The main temple of Nikko. Three large gilded Buddhist statues sit side by side in the Sanbutsudo Hall. Shoyoen Garden is next door.
Sights are this site's picks, not a popularity ranking.
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