What other travelers are saying about Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Obviously a need to go to spot for locals and tourists alike.
The masonry work on the walls here is inexplicably built with precision and beauty.
***buy tickets at the train station where you buy bus tickets. Long line at the shrine/ temple itself.
If you are physically able I recommend walking to there is a short walk and a good stretch for all the stairs you will go up at the shrine. There are a lot of stairs for those overweight/ older/ medical issues be aware be safe be patient with yourself but it's worth the journey after all you made it all the way here to Japan take the extra steps to see some history.
The area has some un-noted areas that are enjoyable to walk through though the area around the shrine has some good hills.
I did not walk to the water fall but there is a sign saying 30 min walk to the waterfall which in restorspect I wish I had done.
I bought a kimono at a small local shop for about half the price than tokyo and made on site by a wonderful elderly couple about halfway between the temple and train station. ATM is at family mart close to station but on the way for those that didn't prepare with enough cash(some food and soveneir places are cash only)
Buy your express return tickets in advance they do sell out they are not refundable or exchangeable so plan accordingly but while.
We stayed at a spa on other side of nikko and then went to the temole on way backput our baggage in large locker on platform 4 for 800-900 yen depending on locker size ( small bag check in upstairs)
A magnificent shrine dedicated to a famed warlord. Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Hertigate site and the higglight of any visit Tochigi.Shrine and temples were surrounded by beautiful forest. If you are first time visit Japan, it is a must go site, howeverz if you already visited Japan a few times ,you will the shrines and temples are more or less the same.
Probably the most impressive shrine I've visited while in Japan. Amazing architectural details in multiple buildings in a wonderful natural surrounding. Quite important too since it is Tokugawa's resting place. Some very famous landmarks are here too, like that cat (not impressed) and the 3 monkeys that hear, see and speak no evil. Totally recommend it.
An amazing place! One of the most colorful shrines we’ve seen complete with great detail. Multiple buildings.
While I think it’s important for children and school groups to visit and learn about their heritage, I believe it to be unfortunate to emphasize photos of the children in front of the structures rather than having them look at the buildings. Each school group seemed to have their own photographer following them around.
But the place is beautiful.
Toshogu Shrine is Nikko’s crown jewel, built to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu who unified Japan and founded the Edo period. The shrine complex is impressive with the famous cat shrine located higher up the mountain, but Ieyasu’s popularity means this place draws massive crowds. People start lining up 40+ minutes before opening time, which should tell you something about the crowds you’ll face.
If you visit during busy periods, forget about reaching the cat shrine or getting decent photos - the crowds make it nearly impossible to properly appreciate the site. I strongly recommend arriving very early or risk spending more time waiting in lines than actually seeing the shrine. The historical significance and craftsmanship are undeniable, but the tourist hordes can seriously diminish the experience if you don’t plan accordingly.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Nikko, Japan. It is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is renowned for its ornate architectural design and rich historical significance.
The shrine was originally constructed in 1617, shortly after the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu, but it underwent significant expansion and reconstruction in 1634 under the orders of his grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Key features of Nikko Toshogu Shrine include the Yomeimon Gate, known for its intricate carvings and gold leaf decorations; the Sleeping Cat carving by Hidari Jingoro; and the famous 'Three Wise Monkeys' wood carving that embodies the maxim 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.'
Yes, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is part of the 'Shrines and Temples of Nikko,' which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 due to its cultural significance and exceptional architectural artistry.
Visitors can access Nikko Toshogu Shrine by taking a train from Tokyo to Nikko. From there, local buses or a short taxi ride can bring visitors directly to the shrine complex. The journey from Tokyo takes approximately two hours by train.
