Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

When it comes to popular tourist spots in Nikko, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is always mentioned. It is very popular among foreign tourists as well as Japanese tourists. Located in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, in the northern part of the Kanto region of Japan, Nikko Toshogu was built in 1617 to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu as the deity of the shrine, and was registered as a World Heritage site in 1999.
The shrine is also famous as a power spot because it was built in a place of good fortune, incorporating feng shui and onmyoudo (the way of yin and yang).
Admission to the temple is subject to a worship fee*.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine has many attractions, but the most impressive is the beauty of its architecture and sculptures.
Many visitors are impressed by the many gorgeous pavilions designated as national treasures or important cultural properties.

The first thing that appears as soon as you pass through the torii gate of Toshogu Shrine is the 36-meter-high five-story pagoda, designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
Built in 1650, the five-story pagoda was destroyed by fire in 1815, but was rebuilt three years later in 1818.
The interior of the pagoda can be viewed for a separate entrance fee.

Next is “Sanzaru,” a sculpture of a monkey on the sacred stable. Shinmaya-yasha is a stable or room where horses “Shinme” that serve the gods are kept. There are eight monkey sculptures here, which are said to represent the life of a human being. The most famous of these is the sculpture of the three monkeys, “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. The Shinto Stable is also a National Important Cultural Property.

Next is the “Sleeping Cat” in the east corridor leading to the inner shrine (the tomb of Ieyasu).
There are two theories about the Sleeping Cat.

If you look closely at the Sleeping Cat, you will see that it is stepping firmly on its paws. While pretending to be asleep, it is in a posture ready to pounce at any moment. Because of this, it is said that it is protecting Lord Ieyasu.

Another popular theory is that there is a sculpture of two sparrows playing on the back of the Sleeping Cat, and it is said that the cat is sleeping so that the sparrows can play in peace, which means that warfare has subsided and a peaceful time has arrived. The Sleeping Cat is designated as a national treasure.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures because photography is prohibited indoors, but there is a ceiling painting in the Yakushido called “Naruki-ryu (Meowing Dragon)”.
The ceiling painting of a huge dragon, measuring 6 m in length and 15 m in width, is powerful and breathtaking.
If you strike a clapper under the face of the dragon, the sound resonates and it sounds as if the dragon is crying.
If you strike the clapperboard outside of the dragon’s face, the sound does not resonate and you will not hear the dragon’s cry. Please experience the sound of the dragon’s cry, which seems to resonate deep into your body.

There are many other highlights, such as “Yomeimon Gate,” which is designated as a national treasure and is said to be the most beautiful gate in Japan, and “Okugu (the tomb of Prince Ieyasu),” so please take your time and visit the beautiful buildings.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine holds festivals throughout the year, especially the Spring Festival in May and the Autumn Festival in October, which are very popular among tourists.
Some visitors come to Nikko Toshogu to see these events.
The Spring Festival in May was held for two days, and I was able to see the “Hyakumonotorei 1,000 Samurai Warriors Procession” on the last day of the festival.

This samurai procession is said to be a reenactment of the procession that took place when the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu were moved from Kunozan in Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko.
Approximately 1,200 people, including citizens dressed as armor-bearer, spear-bearer, etc., proceed along the approach to the shrine, with a portable shrine in the center.
The Hyakumonotori 1,000 Samurai Procession is an event that can only be seen at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, so a visit to the shrine in conjunction with the annual festival is recommended.
The next annual festival will be held in October.
The detailed schedule is available on the Nikko Toshogu website.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine
2301 Yamauchi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
TEL: 0288-54-0560
Hours of worship:
April 1 – October 31 (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
November 1 – March 31 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
The reception desk closes 30 minutes prior to the closing of the gate during each period.
https://www.toshogu.jp/

Kanaya Hotel History Museum

Founded in 1873, the Kanaya Hotel has a history of more than 150 years.
It is said to be the oldest existing resort hotel in Japan.
It is one of the most popular hotels in Nikko, both in Japan and abroad, and is famous for the fact that many famous people, including Einstein and Helen Keller, have stayed here.
The Kanaya Cottage Inn, the place where the Kanaya Hotel began.
In 2014, it became a registered tangible cultural property of Japan, and since March 2015, it has been open to the public (for a fee) as the Kanaya Hotel History Museum.
Zenichiro Kanaya, the founder of the hotel, opened the Kanaya Cottage Inn in part of his home as an accommodation facility for foreigners.
Since the Kanaya family’s house was a samurai residence, foreign guests called it Samurai House.
The Kanaya Hotel History Museum also has a restaurant and bakery where visitors can enjoy a meal.
It is located about a 15-minute walk from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, so why not stop by during your visit to Nikko Toshogu Shrine?

Kanaya Hotel History Museum
1-25 Honmachi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
Tel. 0288-50-1873
https://nikko-kanaya-history.jp/
Hours of operation
＜History Museum
March-November: 9:30-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
December – February: 10:00 – 16:00 (last admission at 15:30)
＜Restaurant
Meals 9:00-15:00
Coffee 15:00-17:00 (last order at 16:30)
(After 15:00, only sweets and beverages are available.)
＜Bakery: 9:00-17:00 (throughout the year)

Closed
＜History Museum 9:00-17:00 (throughout the year)
January 09 (Tue), 23 (Tue), 2024 / February 06 (Tue), 27 (Tue), 2024
The restaurant will also be closed on the other days listed above. For more information, please visit the Categee Inn Restaurant & Bakery website.
https://nikko-kanaya-history.jp/cottage-inn-restaurant/

Although Nikko Toshogu Shrine was the main attraction introduced this time, there are many more popular tourist spots in Nikko.
Onsen (hot springs) and lodging facilities are also available, so we recommend staying overnight instead of taking a day trip and touring around at your leisure.