A Kamenoi Hotel trip where you can choose from the charms of Japan

Nikko Toshogu Shrine
A historical journey around World Heritage sites

Tochigi /Nikko area

Tourist attractions
World Heritage

Shrines and
Temples of Nikko

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate

Nikko Toshogu Shrine was built in 1617 as the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for 250 years, and in 1636, Ieyasu's grandson, the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, carried out a major renovation of the shrine into its current form. This historically and culturally significant structure, made up of 55 shrine buildings decorated with magnificent carvings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Shinto and Buddhism were separated in Japanese culture, but as one of the few examples that incorporates elements of both Shinto and Buddhism, Nikko Toshogu Shrine exudes unique beauty and serves as a place of worship for both religions. The grounds are lined with gorgeous shrine buildings, decorated with intricate carvings and colors down to the smallest detail, and the contrast with the nature that changes with the seasons is beautiful, so you can always find something new and be moved. If you're going to the Nikko area, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a spot you can't miss.

Highlights of Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is noteworthy not only for its overwhelming sculptures and beautiful colors, but also for its architectural techniques and ideological background. For example, famous sculptures such as the "Sleeping Cat" and the "Three Monkeys (See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil)" are not just decorative, but are imbued with deep meanings that symbolize peace and life lessons. The "Yomeimon Gate" is decorated with more than 500 sculptures, and is a famous spot with such captivating details that it is also called the "Higurashi Gate". Furthermore, the layout and details of the architecture are influenced by feng shui and onmyodo, reflecting the ideas of the time. The shrine buildings, which blend into the scenery of the four seasons, are also a place where you can feel the spirit of Japanese nature worship. It is not just a tourist spot, but a valuable place where you can experience Japanese culture and history.

Access to the World Heritage Site, Nikko Toshogu Shrine

It takes about 2 to 3 hours to get from Tokyo to Nikko Toshogu Shrine by train and bus. If you use JR or Tobu lines, there are direct trains, so it is an attractive option to start your trip to this World Heritage site easily. Furthermore, if you use the tourist circular bus in Nikko-shi, you can easily get around the two shrines and one temple around Toshogu Shrine and the area in front of the station. If you are heading by car, there are the Toshogu Shrine Large Parking Lot and several city-run parking lots, but they are likely to be crowded on weekends and during peak seasons, so it is recommended to arrive early and use public transportation.

Opening hours and admission fees

Nikko Toshogu Shrine has different opening hours depending on the season, but is usually open from morning to evening. Admission is 1,600 yen for adults and 550 yen for children (as of January 23, 2025), and discounts for groups and people with disabilities are also available. Details and changes are updated regularly on the official website, so it's a good idea to check before visiting.

Recommended as a base for sightseeing

The area around Toshogu Shrine is attractive because you can walk to World Heritage sites such as Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji Temple, and is filled with beautiful scenery, including gardens and rows of cedar trees where you can enjoy the changing seasons. There are also many restaurants that make use of local specialties, and dishes using yuba and soba noodles are also popular. There are also cafes and snack shops scattered around, making it a convenient place to stop by between sightseeing.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

location	Tochigi Nikko-shi 2301 Yamauchi
Access	・About 2 hours and 35 minutes from Tokyo Station ・About 2 hours 20 minutes from Asakusa Station ・5 minutes by bus from Tobu Nikko Station on the Tobu Railway Nikko Line
Contact information	0288-54-0560
Website	http://www.toshogu.jp/

The published information is as of the time of publication of the article and may differ from current information.
When using the service, please check the latest information on the official website etc. in advance.

The autumn leaves are also spectacular!
Kamenoi Hotel is your base for sightseeing in Nikko.

KAMENOI HOTEL OKUNIKKO
Front desk staff

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is about 45 minutes by car from the hotel. It can also Access by bus from the Yasukawacho bus stop, which is an 8-minute walk from the hotel.
The usual order of touring the area is Shinkyo Bridge → Futarasan Shrine → Toshogu Shrine → Rinno-ji Temple, and you can experience the charm of Nikko as it flows from nature worship to Buddhist culture and the history of the Edo period.
The Nikko area is also known for its spectacular autumn foliage, which usually reaches its peak between early and late November. Please use KAMENOI HOTEL OKUNIKKO as your base for sightseeing.

customer's voice

KAMENOI HOTEL OKUNIKKO

After sightseeing at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, I stayed overnight in preparation for climbing Mt. Nikko Shirane the next day. The bath smelled like sulfur and had a nice Hot springs feel.
We had a full Food with breakfast and dinner buffet.

It was a very nice inn close to Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls. I had underestimated it because it was a buffet, but the food was incredibly delicious. There were many Food that made use of local specialties and ingredients such as yuba, milk, and eggs. There was a service where you could eat night ramen at night, which was very nice.

I used it for sightseeing with my father to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. It was cool by the lake and comfortable.

Sightseeing information around Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Many of the hotels in the Nikko area are located in locations where you can experience World Heritage sites up close, and their convenient Access makes them an ideal place to explore history.
You can't miss the course that touches on history and culture, centered around two shrines and one temple, the World Heritage Site of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji Temple.
For nature lovers, trekking, sightseeing boat trips, and driving courses around Kirifuri Highlands and Lake Chuzenji are popular.

Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji Temple

Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji Temple were founded by Shodo Shonin during the Nara period, and once functioned as a single religious facility under the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. They became independent due to the Shinbutsu Bunri Edict in the Meiji period, but they still play a central role in Nikko's religious culture. In 1999, the group of 103 buildings (9 national treasures and 94 important cultural properties) of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikkosan Rinno-ji Temple, and Nikko Futarasan Shrine, as well as the cultural landscape surrounding them, were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "The Shrines and Temples of Nikko." All of them are concentrated within the Nikko Mountains, and can be efficiently toured on foot.

Lake Chuzenji

We recommend taking a sightseeing boat to enjoy the spectacular views from Lake Chuzenji. Hiking trails are available along the lakeside, and strolling surrounded by nature in all four seasons is also popular. There are also cafes and souvenir shops scattered around the lake, making it a great place to stop for a rest during a drive. The weather is particularly stable from spring to autumn, making it the perfect season for those who want to get active.

Kirifuri Plateau

Kirifuri Highlands is a beautiful plateau located in Nikko-shi, Tochigi at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,600 meters, spreading out at the foot of the Nikko mountain range. The plateau's name comes from the fantastic sight of the mist that rolls in in the mornings and evenings. It is known as a tourist destination where you can enjoy nature in every season, and the Kirifuri Highlands Kisuge-daira Garden is a particularly popular spot, where day lilies bloom in abundance from spring to early summer. In autumn, the red and yellow foliage that covers the entire area and the snowy scenery in winter are sure to captivate visitors.