About Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu is a collection of beautiful shrines and temples hidden in the mountains of Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. The shrine serves as a lavish memorial for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shogunate ruled over Japan for over 250 years until 1868. Originally a simple mausoleum, the complex was significantly built out by Ieyasu’s grandson Iemitsu in the first half of the 17th century. Nikko Toshogu includes both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples which was common until the Meiji Period when the two religions were deliberately separated.

Nikko Toshogu is the name of the shrines main hall. The shrine complex includes over 55 buildings including 5 National Treasures & 3 Important Cultural Properties. Together, the shrines and temples of Nikko are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

6 Key Features of Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Gojunoto (Five Story Pagoda)

Gojunoto is a pretty five story pagoda located near the entrance of Nikko Toshogu’s Main Shrine. The pagodas five stories represent the elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and void.

Yomeimon Gate

The Edo Period masterpiece features over 500 intricate carvings and is one of the most ornate structures in all of Japan. Some 240,000 sheets of gold leaf were used which exceeds the 200,000 sheets used on Kyoto’s Kinkakuji Temple. There is an incredible amount of detail and attention put into each of the carvings.

The main halls inside the gate are dedicated to Ieyasu as well as two other influential historical figures Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo.

Sozonozo Elephants (Imagined Elephants)

Located just inside the main entrance gate are the three sacred storehouses called Sanjinko. The carving is located on the eaves of one of the storehouses. The artist of these elaborate wood carvings based them on written accounts of what they looked like, since he had never seen them in real life.

Three Wise Monkeys

Just beyond the storehouses lies the sacred stable. It holds the shrines most famous carving, the Three Wise Monkeys. The first of the three monkeys will “see no evil,” the second will “speak no evil,” and the last will “hear no evil”. There are eight panels in total that portray important life lessons. The three monkeys teach children to see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil as a way of avoiding bad things in life.

Sleeping Cat (Nemuri-Neko)

Located on a panel in the rafters of Skashitamon Gate. The intricate carvings include a sleeping cat and two flying sparrows. The animals ability to coexist symbolizes a future of peace for the newly unified country.

Okumiya

Through the Skashitamon Gate and up 207 stone steps lies the Inner Shrine and tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The tomb lies below a 5 meter pagoda made of gold, silver, and copper.

Nearby Attractions in Nikko City Include: Shinkyo Bridge, Kegon Falls, Kirifuri Highland, Lake Chuzenji, & Nikko National Park.

Best Times to Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine

• May 17th – 18th: Grand Spring Festival
• October 16th – 17th: Autumn Grand Festival

May 17th – 18th: Grand Spring Festival

May 17th: Displays of ancient art of yabusame (horseback archery)

May 18th: Reenactment of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s funeral procession when his grave was transferred from Mt. Kunousan in Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko Toshogu. A procession of a thousand warriors accompanies a mikoshi (portable shrine). There are music and dance performances.

October 16th – 17th Autumn Grand Festival

October 16th: Displays of ancient art of yabusame (horseback archery)

October 17th: Reenactment of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s funeral procession when his grave was transferred from Mt. Kunousan in Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko Toshogu. A procession of a thousand warriors accompanies a mikoshi (portable shrine). There are music and dance performances.

Nikko in autumn with the colors of the fall foliage is breaktaking.

Unique Reasons to Go

• #1 Sightseeing Attraction in Tochigi Prefecture
• Nikko Toshogu Complex Includes 5 National Treasures & 3 Important Cultural Properties
• Nikko Shrines & Temples are Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Unique Foods to Eat & Where to Get Them

• Yuba Manju from Sakaeya ​​Fried Yubamanju Located Next to Tobu Nikko Station (Small Parking Lot Directly North)

• Yuba from (Many shops in the Nikko area)

Admission Fee & Hours

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Admission Fee

Shrine Only: ¥1,300/Adult, ¥450/Children (Elementary/Junior High School Students)

Treasure Museum Only: ¥1,000/Adult, ¥400/Children (Elementary/Junior High School Students)

Shrine & Treasure Museum: ¥2,100/Adult, ¥770/Children (Elementary/Junior High School Students)

Museum Only: ¥800/Adult, ¥600/High School Student, ¥400/Children (Elementary/Junior High School Students)

Audio Guides Available: ¥500/Day

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Main Garden Hours

April 1st – October 31st : 9:00 ~ 17:00

November 1st – March 31st : 9:00 ~ 16:00

How To Access Nikko Toshogu Shrine

By Public Transportation

• From Tokyo (Ueno Station) take a JR Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Nasuno bound for Koriyama transferring at Utsunomiya Station to a Nikko Line train bound for Nikko Station getting off at Nikko Station *Quickest (1 hour 44 minutes, ¥5,270 one way per person) Note: JR Pass Compatible

• From Tokyo (Ueno Station) take a Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line train bound for Kita-Kasukabe Station transferring at Kitasenju Station to a Nikko-Kinugawa Kegon Limited Express Train bound for Tobu Nikko Station getting off at Tobu Nikko Station. *Cheapest (1 hour 52 minutes, ¥3,230 one way per person) Note: Not JR Pass Compatible

• From Nikko Station head towards the exit: Bus Stop 1B take a “W” World Heritage Tour Bus Taiyuin and Futarasan Shrine bus (世界遺産めぐり大猷院・二荒山神社前行) (Tobu Bus) get off at “Hotel Seikoenmae” (ホテル清晃苑前) Bus Stop 1A take a “Y/YK” Yumoto Onsen via Chuzenji Onsen bus (湯元温泉(中禅寺温泉経由)) (Tobu Bus) get off at “Yasukawa Town” (安川町)

• From Tobu Nikko head towards the Tobu Bus Terminal Bus Stop 2B take a “W” World Heritage Tour Bus Taiyuin and Futarasan Shrine bus (世界遺産めぐり大猷院・二荒山神社前行) (Tobu Bus) get off at “Hotel Seikoenmae” (ホテル清晃苑前) Bus Stop 2A/2C take a “Y/YK” Yumoto Onsen via Chuzenji Onsen bus (湯元温泉(中禅寺温泉経由)) (Tobu Bus) get off at “Yasukawa Town” (安川町)

By Car

• Nikko IC (3.7 km Southeast)
• Kiyotaki IC (4.3 km Southwest)

Best Nikko Toshogu Shrine Parking Lots

• Nikko Futarasan Shrine Main Parking Lot (100 Spaces, 250m from Main Gate, Fee ¥700/Day, Public Restrooms) *Closest Parking Lot to Main Gate

• Toshogu Large Parking Lot(~200 Spaces, 300m from Main Gate, Fee ¥600/Day) *Cheapest Parking Lot

• Ryodaishi Second Parking Lot (~136 Spaces, 400m from Main Gate, Fee ¥600/Day)

• Shinkyo Bridge Parking Lot (60 Spaces, 650m from Main Gate, Fee ¥1,000/Day)

• West Approach Parking Lot #1 (~74 Spaces, 450m from Main Gate, Fee ¥700/Day, Fee ¥1,000/Day During Busy Seasons of April – May & August – November, Public Restrooms)

• West Approach Parking Lot #2 (~98 Spaces, 500m from Main Gate, Fee ¥700/Day, Fee ¥1,000/Day During Busy Seasons of April – May & August – November)