WORLD HERITAGE SITE





日光東照宮 Nikko Toshogu Shrine  http://www.toshogu.jp/ Phone +81-288-54-0560

The shrine is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu , the first Tokugawa Shogun , who ruled Japan from 1603 to 1616. Ieyasu died in Sunpu inShizuoka on April 17,1616.He was first buried at Kuno-zan in Shizuoka,but in accordance with his last will , his remains were transferred to Nikko in the following year. He said in his will"When I die , bury me at Kuno-zan first. Then after a year , build a small shrine in Nikko and bury me there. I will be a guardian god and watch all over Japan.
The constructaion of the mausoleum was performed by Tokugawa Iemitsu , the grandson of Ieyasu and the third Tokugawa Shogun. The construcyion work was begun in 1634 and finished in 1636. Almost all the construction of the mausoleum.
The shirine is said to have been completed in only seventeen months at a cost $53,000,000 in modern-day money. The shrine is constantly undergoing mintenance and repair.
The immense amount of gold-leaf used in the buildings coupled with numerous elaborate carvings enhance the beauty of the shirne.

主な伝統行事
Jan 1 歳旦祭
2/3 新年献饌祭
Feb 3 節分祭
  11 紀元祭
17 祈年祭
Apr 14 酒迎式
May 17/18 春季例大祭(17日 流鏑馬神事 他 / 18日 百物揃千人武者行列(1000명 무사 행렬)  他)
Jun 30 大祓式
Oct 17 秋季大祭
Dec 20 御煤払 (大掃除)
31 除夜祭

A Nikko Toshogu Shrine
              
Ticket
A group ticket(More than 35 people)
Adult
1,300Yen
1,170Yen
High school
students
Elementary & Jr.high students
 450Yen
 405Yen
Hours open to the public From April to October , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last entry :16:30)
From Nobember to March , 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.(Last entry :15:30)
Worship point
The points that are opened to the public from Karamon to Okusha(It is included Okusha , Sliiping cat and Nakiryu)


In the case of Combination Ticket use
Separate payment
Adult
Elementary & Jr.high students
Higasi Kairoh(Sleeping cat),Okusha
520Yen
370Yen


Treasure Museum
Phone 0288-54-2558
               
Ticket
A group ticket(More than 20 people)
Adult
500Yen
400Yen
High school
students
300Yen
240Yen
Elementary & Jr.high students
200Yen
160Yen
Hours open to the public From April to October , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last entry :16:30)
From Nobember to March , 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.(Last entry :15:30)

Art Museum
Phone 0288-54-0560
        Ticket
A group ticket(More than 30 people)
Adult
800Yen
640Yen
High school
students
600Yen
480Yen
Elementary & Jr.high students
400Yen
320Yen
Hours open to the public From April to October , 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last entry :16:30)
From Nobember to March , 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.(Last entry :15:30)

春季例大祭:Grand Spring Festival
The Grand Spring Festival is held annually by Toshogu Shrine from May 17th to the 18th. The festival is a reenactment of the ancient procession when the soul of Ieyasu Tokugawa , the first Shogun , was moved from Kunozan to Nikko. A 1200 samurai warrior procession parades down a 1km long street and horseback archery (yabusame) displays are held.
陽明門 Yomeimon Gate
Yomaimon Gate is one of the representataive buildings in Toshogu Shrine.
It is popularly called Higurasi-Gomon (a day -spending gate). It is 11.1meters in height , 7meters in width and 4.4meters in depth. It faces due south. it is decorated with as many as 508 exquisite carvings. You can spend a whole day in front of this gate and never get tired of looking at it.That is why the gate is popularly called "a day-spending gate."
魔除けの逆柱 Mayoke Bashira(Column to avert evil spirits)
The 12 columns that support the gate have whirling patterns on them. The patterns on one of them , however , were purlosely carved upside-down to turn away the attention of evil spirits who are aiways jealous of perfection and are ready to destroy "perfect" things.
The column is called Mayoke Bashira(column to avert evil spirits) or Sakasa Bashira (upside-down column).
唐  門 Karamon Gate
The Karamon Gate is the gate leading to Honsha(Sanctuary).The gate is a small building which is 3 meters in width and 2 meters in depth. Though small , it is decorated with 605 carvings.
Just under the roof of the Karamon Gate , we can see carvings of 'An audience with Emperor Shun' , 'Seven Wise Men in a Bamboo Grove' , 'Kyoyu and Sofu' , etc.

Naki Ryu (Crying Dragon)
The Naki Ryu is painted on the ceiling of Yakushi-doh (Or called Honji-doh) Hall , which is located on the back of Korou (Drum tower). It makes a sound like a crying when clappers are struck under the dragon. The original picture was painted by Yasunobu Eishin, but was restored by Nanbu katayama after it was burned down.
眠り猫 Nemuri Neko(Sleeping Cat)
The panels along the corridors extending right and left from Sakashitamon Gate are decorated with over 300 exquisite carvings of plants and animals.
The most famous one is the carvings of Nemuri-neko(sleeping Cat) , which is said to have been carved by Jingoro Hidari. Nothing is known about Jingoro.
Behind the sleeping cat there is a carving of two sparrows playing peacefully in a bamboo grove.The carving of sparrows playing near the cat may be interpreted as symbolizing the peaceful world brought about by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
三 猿 Three Monkeys
On the wooden panels of the Shinkyu sha(Sacred Stable) , there are eight carvings of monkeys , each representing a different phase of life.The most famous one is the carvings of three monkeys , who tell us a lesson that children should "See-no-evil , say-no-evil and Hear-no-evil".
Monkey carvings were used to decorate the stable because monkeys
五重塔 Five Storied Pagoda
This five-storied pagoda was presented by Sakai Tadakatsu , feudal lord of Obama(now Fukui Prefecture) , in 1649on the 33rd anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu's death.
The first foer stories were built in Japanese style and the top story in Chinese style. If you look up the pagoda and look carefully , you can see that the refters of the first four stories run in parallel while those of the top story run radially.
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日光山輪王寺 Nikko-san Rinnoji Temple  http://www.rinnoji.or.jp Phone +81-288-54-0531

The origin of Rinnoji Temple dates back to the year 766 when Shodo Shonin built Shihonryuji Temple on the left bank of the Daiya River. During its long history of more than 1200years , the name of this temple was changed several times. This temple once belonged to the Shingon Sect of Buddhism , but now it belongs to the Tendai Sect.
主な伝統行事
1월 1일 歳旦会(정월제)
3일 外山毘沙門天縁日
2월 3일 節分会(절분)
4월 1일 開山会(勝道上人:命日)
2일 強飯式
5월 17일 延年舞
8월 중순 薪能 (演目・日程は年ごとに異なるので要問合せ)
11월 25일 子供強飯式(於;生岡神社)
12월 31일 越年護摩

A Nikko-san Rinnoji Temple
          
Ticket
A group ticket(More than 35 people)
Adult
900Yen
810Yen
Elementary &
Jr.high students
400Yen
360Yen
Hours open to the public From April to October , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last entry :16:30)
From Nobember to March , 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.(Last entry :15:30)
Worship point Inside of Sanbutsudo・From Nio-mon gate Taiyu-in shrine to Haiden & Ko-kamon gate

A Ticket of Sanbutsudo(三仏堂)
          
Ticket
A group ticket(More than 35 people)
Adult
400Yen
360Yen
Elementary &
Jr.high students
200Yen
180Yen
Worship point
Inside of Sanbutsudo

A Ticket of Treasure Museum(宝物殿)・Shouyouen(逍遥園)
          
Ticket
A group ticket(More than 35 people)
Adult
300Yen
270Yen
Elementary &
Jr.high students
100Yen
90Yen
勝道上人 Priest Shodo Shonin
After about a 5 minute walk from the Sacred Bridge(Shinkyo Bridge) , you'll see the statue of priest Shodo-Shonin. The statue is gilded bronze , 8 ft.tall and stands on a stone pedestal 13 ft. high. It marks the entrance to the Rinnoji Temple.
Shodo is a central figure of the prosperity of the Mt.nikko faith to assume Mt.nikko the Bible.
三仏堂(大本堂) Sanbutsudo
Sanbutsudo is the largest building in Nikko Sannai area. It is Important Cultural Property.
The name Sanbutsu-do comes from the three big Buddhist statues in the building.
木彫三仏座像
Sanbutsu can be translated as three Buddha. In fact, three images of Buddha are enshrined inside. According to a historical record of temple, Ennin Saint Jikaku built the Sanbutsu-doh Hall by referring to Konponchu-doh Hall of Mt. Hiei. He enshrined Bato Kaonnon, Amida Nyorai and Senju Kannon in Sanbutsu-doh Hall. These images are representatives of Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou and Mt. Tarou. Saint Jikaku's contribution was based on mountainous worship.
相輪橖 Sohrintoh Tower
The Sohrintoh Tower is bronze , is 13.2m high and is located near the Sarbonmatsu-doh Hall. 24 bells and ornament of Kinyoraku decorate upper side of the tower. On the contrary , you will find three hollyhocks on the lower side of the tower. Hollyhock is fammily crest of Tokugawa. 4 subordinate pillars support three hollyhocks. In1643 , Bishop Tenkai built this tower because the third successive shogun Iemitsu made a vow. The Sohrintoh tower referred to the first building that Saint Saicho of Tendai sect built. that first tower is located in Enryakuji Temple of Mt.Hiei.
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大猷院 Taiyuin Temple

 A mausoleum built in 1653 for Iemitsu Tokugawa , the 3rd Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Out of respect for his grandfather enshrined in Toshogu Shrine , Taiyuin was built with less splendor , yet you can still see how the architectural style shouws a higher degree of maturity of the arts. 
Taiyuin Mausoleum
          
Ticket
A group ticket(More than 35 people)
Adult
550Yen
495Yen
Elementary &
Jr.high students
250Yen
225Yen
Worship point
From Nio-mon gate(仁王門) Taiyu-in shrine to Haiden(拝殿) Ko-kamon gate(皇嘉門)
大猷院家光廟(唐門) Taiyuin Mausoleum(Karamon Gate)
Kara means Chinese style. It is 3m high, and frontage is1.8m. The Karamon Gate is the smallest building in Taiyuin Mausoleum, but sensitive and elegant works are put on. Two pillars have been made of zelkova tree, and are not exposed to outside. That gate is decorated by metal fittings. Some are colored by black, and some others are transparent.
大猷院家光廟(皇嘉門) Taiyuin Mausoleum(Kohkamon Gate)

The Koukamon Gate has a function as the border between Okunoin (Inner House) and other buildings. The Okunoin is not open to the public. The name of the Koukamon was the same as one of the twelve gates, which existed in the palace at that time. The Koukamon Gate is 2.2m high, and 1.8m wide. It is relatively small in this area. Construction of Koukamon Gate is Ming dynasty (Chinese) style. It also is called Ryuugu-zukuri (Palace of sea God.) Therefore, this gate is also called Ryuguumon Gate.

日光二荒山神社 Nikko Futarasan Shinto Shrine  http://www.futarasan.j  Phone +81-288-54-0535


The Futarasan Shrine is the oldest among the shrine and temples in the Nikko. The present building , however , was constructed in 1619 by Tokugawa Hidetada , the Second Tokugawa Shogun. In the Oratory , armors and other historical treasures are on display.
Mt.Futara ,

主な伝統業行事
Jan 1 歳旦祭
Feb 1~3 節分祭
3日 ガラ蒔き
Apr 13~17 弥生祭
Every
manth
secand
Sat
だいこくまつり(12月を除く)

A Nikko Futarasan Shrine

Hours open to the public From April to October , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last entry :16:30)
From Nobember to March , 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.(Last entry :15:30)
            
Adult
Elementary &
Jr.high students
本社神苑入園料
(化灯籠含む)
200Yen
100Yen
日光神楽
500Yen (More than 10 people)
特別参拝神楽
1,000Yen (More than 10 people)

弥生祭 Yayoi Festival
This festival with a 1200year tradition is held annually by Nikko Futarasan Shrine for 5 days from April 13th to the 17th. On the 17th , people in historic costumes together from 12towns and floats plus traditional music are on display. In this wonderful atmosphere miniature shrines are also carried around , especially on the 16th and 17th.
神 橋 Shinkyo Bridge
Shinkyo is beautiful red-lacquered bridge across the Daiya-gawa River.
It is 28meters long. According to the legend, when the priest Shodo, the founder of Nikko first came to Nikko with his followers, a god helped them to cross the rapid currents with his two snakes. They entwined themselves into a bridge.
二荒霊泉

The Futara Spiritual Spring is located after you passed the Torii gate of Mitomo Shrine. The water comes from cave of Mt. Korei, which is located on the back of Honden main hall. People believe that spring has two effects. That water might have a spiritual effect on eye disease. In addition, that water makes a tasty sake.
Ceremony for the completion of pond was taken on October 13th in1971. The water is transparent and colorless, water temperature is 12 Celsius degree, no bacteria, and hardness is 26.68 as a result of examination. That number tells us that the water is adequate to drink.

胴灯篭(化け灯篭) Bronze Lantern(Gobrin Lantern)
When you proceed to the rear of the Oratory , you'll see a bronze lantern on the left , outside the fence enclosing the Main Hall.
This lantern is called "Bake-Doro" , or"Goblin Lantern."
It has scars showing thet it was once struck by a sword. People say that at night it looks a goblin.
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