Nikko · Shinkyo Bridge and the shrines and temples
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24
Photo: Jpatokal・CC BY-SA 4.0
The shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo shogunate. Its richly carved and gilded halls are a World Heritage site.
- Nearest station
- About 10 minutes by World Heritage bus, then a 5-minute walk
- Hours
- 1 Apr–31 Oct 9:00–17:00; 1 Nov–31 Mar 9:00–16:00 (last entry 30 minutes before closing)
- Admission
- Adults and high school students ¥1,600; children ¥550. Set ticket with the treasure museum: ¥2,400 / ¥870
What to see
- Yomeimon Gate: a National Treasure with over 500 carvings, nicknamed the "Twilight Gate" because you could look at it until dusk.
- Three wise monkeys: the "see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil" panel is the best known of the monkey carvings on the sacred stable.
- Sleeping cat: a National Treasure attributed to the carver Hidari Jingoro, on the way to the inner shrine.
- Karamon Gate: a National Treasure painted white with shell-powder paint and finely carved.
- Five-storey pagoda: donated in 1650 and rebuilt in 1818 after a fire.
Seasons
- At the spring and autumn processions (18 May and 17 Oct), three portable shrines are used.
History
It was founded in 1617 to enshrine Ieyasu. Most of the present buildings were rebuilt in 1636 by the third shogun, Iemitsu. The site became a World Cultural Heritage site in December 1999.
Getting there
About 10 minutes from JR Nikko or Tobu-Nikko Station on the World Heritage bus to "Omotesando", then 5 minutes on foot (15 minutes on foot from the "Shinkyo" stop). From Asakusa the Tobu limited express Kegon takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to Tobu-Nikko; from Shinjuku the JR limited express Nikko takes about 2 hours.
Address：2301 Yamanouchi, Nikko, Tochigi
Before you go
Some areas may be closed during ceremonies or repair work. An audio guide in Japanese, English, Chinese and other languages costs ¥500 per day. We could not find photography rules on the official pages.
Station and shrine area
Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.
Nearby sights
- Shinkyo Bridge20 min walk from Tobu-Nikko / JR Nikko Station
- Rinnoji Temple (Sanbutsudo Hall)About 9 minutes by World Heritage bus from the stations
- Nikko Futarasan ShrineAbout 15 minutes by World Heritage bus from the stations
- Taiyuin Mausoleum (Rinnoji)About 15 minutes by World Heritage bus from the stations
← Nikko guide: trains from Tokyo
Sources
Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
- 日光東照宮（拝観時間・料金）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 日光東照宮（アクセス）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 日光東照宮（由緒）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 日光東照宮（社殿の概要）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 日光市観光協会（日光東照宮）（checked 2026-10-24）
Map data：© OpenStreetMap contributors