Nikko

One of Japan's most beautiful shrines

Information about Nikko

Nikko is a small town north of Tokyo, adjoined by the Nikko National Park. It is home to one of the most lavishly ornamented shrine complexes in Japan, the Toshogu Shrine.

The complex, which blends harmoniously with the nature of the surrounding mountains, winds its way up the forested slopes. The buildings become more spectacular with each level you reach. At the very top, the highest peak, is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for over two centuries from the 17th century and presided over a period of unity, peace and cultural flourishing. The site is particularly beautiful in autumn and winter, when there are fewer tourists and the meditative radiance of this mystical place can work particularly well.

Interesting facts about Nikko

In Nikko, you will find countless decorative carvings on the facades of buildings. One of the most famous are the three monkeys that, according to Buddhist teachings, cover their ears, eyes and mouth. Today they are experiencing a renaissance and are immortalised on just about every emoji keyboard.

Shortly before you enter the sacred sites, you will see the beautiful red Shinkyo Bridge on your left, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The construction of the main shrine of the complex, the Toshogu Shrine, took 17 months and absorbed the labour of 454,000 workers and artisans. One can lose oneself for hours in the detailed carvings of the opulently decorated building.

Pictures of Nikko

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Highlights in Nikko

Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the shogun's mausoleum

During your trip to Japan, we strongly recommend that you spend a day or two in Nikko. Tucked away in the city's natural surroundings, you will find one of Japan's most famous shrines, the Toshogu Shrine Complex, dedicated to the shogun (army chief) Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokuwaga shogunate, a family and dynasty that ruled Japan from the 16th to the mid-19th century.

It is one of the greatest constructions in Japan: the best craftsmen had the heavy task of building the most beautiful shrine ever seen in Japan. And as nothing is too beautiful for the shogun, the budget for the construction was unlimited. Among all these buildings, 8 are classified as national treasures and 34 are important cultural properties.

The complex consists of three adjacent sites located in the cedar forest on the slopes of the mountain: a Buddhist temple Rinno-ji and two Shinto shrines, Futurasan and Toshogu.

Cross Shinkyo Sacred Bridge

The Shinkyo Sacred Bridge across the Daiya River belongs to the Futarasan Shrine. This magnificent vermilion-lacquered structure is known as one of the three most beautiful bridges in Japan.

It was once known as Yamasuge-no-Jabashi (Snake Bridge with wild sedges), according to an old legend about the priest Shodo Shonin. It is said that when Shodo and disciples tried to cross the river, they found the current too strong and were unable to cross. They began to pray fervently for a way to cross, and the god Jinja Daio appeared carrying red and blue snakes, which he threw across the river. The snakes intertwined to form a bridge. Thus Shodo and his disciples were able to cross, and the bridge since stood there as the perfect gateway to Nikko.