Japan: Nikko

Nikko (日光) is a small town about 2 hours from Tokyo that is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of a complex of shrines, temples and shogun mausoleums.

The Buddhist monk and holy man Shodo Shonin (勝道上人) established the temple of Rinnouji (輪王寺) in 766. At that time, the area is nestled deep in the mountains, far from everywhere, and a great place for solitude and meditation. Rinnouji became famous for the three golden statues of Buddha, located in the Sanbutsudo building, and the village of Nikko grew around the temple.

In addition to the temple, Shodo Shonin also established the Futarasan Shrine (二荒山神社), housing three deities and named after a nearby mountain. Co-located shrines and temples are quite common in Japan due to the practice of religious syncretism, and the shrines often contain deities that protect the temple.

Much later on, Tokugawa Ieyasu became the first shogun of Japan, and after he died, his son decided to establish a shrine and a mausoleum to hold his remains called Toushougu (東照宮). His grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu (the third shogun of Japan) also has a mausoleum located here called the Taiyuin Reibyou (大猷院霊廟). Tokugawa Iemitsu was a great admirer of his grandfather. He extensively expanded Toushougu, so it is appropriate that the Taiyuin overlooks the Toushougu so that Iemitsu can keep guard on Ieyasu for eternity.

Altogether the temple and shrine complex contains hundreds of structures, and many are classified as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site for Nikko.

We visited Nikko on a rainy and misty day, which added to the surreal atmosphere and charm of the place.