Nikkō Tōshō-gū was built in 1617 and elaborately expanded in 1636 as the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate. The complex features more than a dozen ornate structures covered in gold leaf, intricate carvings and vivid lacquerwork, including the famous 'hear, see, speak no evil' monkeys and the Yōmei-mon gate. The Grand Festival (Tōshō-gū Spring Festival) in May re-enacts the procession of 1,000 samurai warriors in full armour.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Temple/Shrine
- Season
- Year-round
- Month
- Year-round (peak: May & Autumn)
- Region
- Kanto
- Prefecture
- Tochigi
- City
- Nikkō
Highlights
- ◆UNESCO World Heritage Site with 17 listed structures
- ◆Yōmei-mon gate with 508 intricate carvings
- ◆Famous 'three wise monkeys' relief carving
- ◆1,000-samurai Grand Festival procession in May
- ◆Surrounding cedar avenue and mountain scenery