Day 2 of Winter Travel in Nikko ~Mt. Nikko Rinno-ji and Nikko Toshogu Shrine~
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This stone torii gate, called Ishidorii, was dedicated by Kuroda Nagamasa in 1618. The stone for the gate was brought all the way from Kyushu.

The seismic base isolation used on Gojunoto was apparently also used in the construction of Tokyo Skytree.

I walked around the tower.

It’s decorated with images of the 12 zodiac signs.

Sanjinko, or the three sacred storehouses, is a collection of three buildings: Kamijinko, Nakajinko, and Shimojinko. They store the harnesses and costumes used in the Procession of 1,000 Samurai, held in spring and autumn, among other things.

This is the stable for the shrine’s sacred horses.

The statues here of the Three Wise Monkeys, embodying “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil,” are famous.

Yomeimon, repairs of which were completed in March of 2017, is colored entirely in beautiful gold.

Yomeimon is also called the “Gate of the Setting Sun,” thanks to how the vivid sculptures adorning the building are something you could look at all day without tiring.

Since the building was freshly redone after repairs, everyone was stopping for pictures.

It truly was a gorgeous sight.

Even the interior sparkles with gold.

After climbing 207 steps, I reached Okumiya, the innermost part of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

Okumiya is home to Ieyasu’s tomb.

I then went back the same way I came.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Treasure House hosts various collections and exhibits, including Ieyasu Tokugawa’s treasured items, offerings from the imperial court, acceding families, and daimyo, as well as items used in the main shrine’s festivals. Additionally, the “Toshogu Theater” was playing short 10-minute CG animations on Ieyasu Tokugawa and VR productions on Yomeimon.
(Admission fee: 1,000 yen)