Nikko appears in 5 of our itineraries across Japan,
ranging from 10–14 days. Every one is private, and every one can be
reshaped around the time you want to spend here.
Nikko is two hours north of Tokyo in the mountains of Tochigi prefecture, and the Tosho-gu shrine complex is the most elaborately decorated religious site in Japan. Built in 1634–1636 to house the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu — the shogun who unified Japan and whose dynasty ruled for 265 years — the complex has 508 carved animals on the Yomeimon gate alone. The three wise monkeys (hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil) above the Sacred Stable; the sleeping cats above the gateway to the inner shrine; and the 13,000 Japanese cedars planted on the approach by a feudal lord who could not afford gold leaf and gave trees instead. Your private guide explains the political theology of the complex — what the Tokugawa shogunate was saying about power, religion, and legitimacy through the architecture. The Rinno-ji temple, the Futarasan Shrine at the base of Mt Nantai, and the walk along the cedar avenue. Return to the ryokan at Chuzenji Lake in the late afternoon.
Tosho-gu shrine — Yomeimon gate and 508 carved animals
Three wise monkeys — the original Japanese carving
Nikko is two hours north of Tokyo by private vehicle and is the location of the Tosho-gu shrine complex — the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified Japan in 1603 and whose descendants ruled for 265 years. The complex is the most elaborately decorated religious site in Japan: 508 carved animals on the Yomeimon gate alone, including the three famous sleeping cats and the three wise monkeys who hear, speak, and see no evil. The surrounding forest of 13,000 Japanese cedars planted in the 17th century by a feudal lord who could not afford gold leaf and gave what he could instead. The Rinno-ji temple with its three golden Buddhas, and the walk along the cedar avenue from the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge to the uppermost shrines. Your private guide explains the political significance of the Tosho-gu — why it was built so elaborately, what the decorations communicate, and why the Tokugawa shogunate chose this location. Return to Tokyo in the afternoon.
Tosho-gu shrine — the most elaborately decorated in Japan
Nikko in early spring has a specific quality: the cherry blossoms appear later than in Tokyo (the altitude delays the season by one to two weeks), and their arrival against the backdrop of the 13,000 Japanese cedars planted in the 17th century produces a contrast of pale pink and deep forest green that the flat lowland parks cannot replicate. The Tosho-gu shrine complex — the most elaborately decorated religious site in Japan — in the mountain context. The Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, whose crimson lacquered arc above the river is the formal entrance to Nikko and one of the three most famous bridges in Japan, seen from the riverbank in the blossom. Your private guide explains the Tosho-gu and its decorations: the 508 carved animals, the sleeping cats, the three wise monkeys. Return to Tokyo in the afternoon or transfer toward Hakone.
Nikko is two hours north of Tokyo in the mountains of Tochigi prefecture. The Tosho-gu shrine complex — the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, built 1634–1636 — is the most elaborately decorated religious site in Japan: the Yomeimon gate with its 508 carved animals, the three wise monkeys above the Sacred Stable, the sleeping cats above the inner gateway, and the 13,000 cedar trees planted on the approach by a feudal lord who gave what he could in lieu of gold. Your private guide explains the political theology of the complex and the relationship between the Tokugawa shogunate's religious claims and its political power. The Rinno-ji temple, the Futarasan Shrine, and the walk through the cedar avenue. Return to the ryokan at the mountain lake in the afternoon.
Tosho-gu shrine — 508 carved animals on the Yomeimon gate
Three wise monkeys — the original Japanese carving
Cedar avenue planted by a lord who gave trees instead of gold
Nikko is two hours north of Tokyo. The Tosho-gu shrine complex built for the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu — the most elaborately decorated religious site in Japan: the Yomeimon gate with 508 carved animals, the three wise monkeys, the 13,000 cedars planted by a lord who gave trees in lieu of gold. Your private guide explains the political theology of the Tokugawa shogunate through the architecture and symbolism of the complex. Rinno-ji temple, the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, and the cedar avenue to the inner shrine. Return to the mountain ryokan at Chuzenji Lake for the evening.
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