Nikko is famous for the Toshogu Shrine,
which
holds the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous
founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled for
over
200 years (1603-1868). The city of Nikko is found in
Tochigi Prefecture and is one of the most frequented
cities for the famous shrine designs and history.
Nikko (日光) is a city that developed around the
temples
that were established in the 8th century. The shrines
and temples of Nikko were inscribed as a World
Heritage site in 1999 for its breathtaking sceneries,
magnificent craftsmanship and cultural impact. Many
of
the architecture in Nikko were influenced by the
teachings of Esoteric Buddhism and Ryobu Shinto
that
resulted in the creation of magnificent representations
of
those beliefs. The 103 structures and nature
surrounding area of Nikko is a World Heritage,
however
the most famous are the Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan
Shrine and Rinnoji Temple. The Toshogu Shrine is
home
to the famous carving of the “See no Evil, Hear no
Evil
and Speak no Evil” monkeys. The Futarasan Shrine
was
the first Shinto shrine built and is comprised of
smaller
reliquaries that embody the fusion of man with nature
much like the city Nikko itself. This also includes the
famous red lacquered bridge called Shinkyo or The
Sacred Bridge. Since Nikko’s religious roots also
connect to Buddhism, the Rinnoji Temple, which was
built in 766, provided solitude for monks because of
its
location deep in the mountains. Nikko experienced a
decline during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s reign until
Tokugawa Ieyasu chose Nikko to place a mausoleum
for
his final rest. Even though Ieyasu passed away in
1617
the completion of the Toshogu shrine was seen in
1636
by the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. The city Nikko
was left in charge as the chief religious caretaker of
the
Tokugawa and gained continued prosperity. It was
around this time that a number of roads were built to
make the travel easier for citizens to pay their
respects
to the deceased Shogun. Aside from the religious
aspects of Nikko it is also a popular destination in the
autumn season. When the leaves reflect fall colors
many tourist gather in the area to see the spectacle.
Kegon Waterfall, the second tallest waterfall in Japan,
is
especially popular to see in fall.
Please see below for tours that include
Nikko:
