5/6/2012

The Grandeur of Toshogu Shrine

Details of Nikko's centrepiece

Por Nicole Bauer

Community writer

Splendid Yomei-mon (Twilight Gate), the main gate

Impressive pagoda, reconstructed 1819, after the original from 1650 burned down

Affluent decorations on Yomei-mon, the main gate

This carving is called Imaginary Elephants as the artist had never seen any real elephants before

Famous relief carvings of the 3 monkeys: hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil

Beautiful stone lanterns across the entire shrine area

Tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu on the top of the hill, tucked away from the crowds in the main area

Nemuri Neko, famous (if very small) wooden sculpture of a sleeping cat

Tsutsuga beast on top of Karamon Gate, serves as a guardian

Aviso

El Santuario Toshogu ha estado sometido a un amplio programa de renovación desde el 2007 y se espera que dure hasta Marzo del 2024. Los avances son graduales y aislados para evitar interrupciones, por lo que es probable que el impacto para las visitas mientras se encuentre en renovación sea mínimo y no interrumpa su visita.

Latest on Santuario Nikko Toshogu

If I am honest, I have to say that I only went to Toshogu shrine because I thought it was one of the things you just have to tick off when being in the area. However I was so wrong! This is by far the most impressive shrine complex I have ever seen since I came to Japan and it can by no means be compared to any other shrine I know. The setting itself is awesome; the colors and the elaborate decorations are unique – one can still feel the wealth and power during the Tokugawa shogunate.