Toshogu Shrine Tourism

The Toshogu Shrine, located in Nikko, Japan, is a lavishly decorated Shinto shrine established in 1617. It is part of the 'Shrines and Temples of Nikko', a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years until the Meiji Restoration. The shrine complex is known for its intricate wood carvings, grandiose structures, and numerous gates, including the famous Yomeimon Gate, which is often called 'higurashi-no-mon', implying that one could look at it until sundown and not tire of seeing it. Notable features of the shrine also include the Five-story Pagoda, the Three Wise Monkeys that embody the maxim 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil', and the lavish use of gold leaf decorations. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nikko National Park, Toshogu Shrine offers visitors a blend of cultural history, architectural excellence, and scenic views.