Nikko, Japan

What is Nikko?

• Historic city

• Known for beauty

• Many shrines and temples

• Especially popular in the fall

Nikko

Rinnoji • Group of over 15 temples

• Biggest tourism destination in Nikko

History• Founded by Shodo Shohin

– Buddhist monk– Introduced Buddhism to Nikko – 8th century CE

•Built for 3 deities that are the manifestations of the three mountains

•Many religious leaders inherited, built on

•Eventually Shuchouhoushinno rinnoji-no-miya

•Meji period forced into Shintoism

•By 1882 Rinnoji had survived, succeeded, and restored

How to Get to Nikko

Known For?

• Huge, elaborate temples

• Colors

• Scenery, esp. waterfalls

• Idols and shrines

Places of Interest

• Many important shrines including Shinhoryuji, Mangani, Tendai, and Koumyouin shrines

• Kegon Water fall

• Futarasan Shrine

• Toshogu Shrine

Toshogu Shrine

• Main attraction in Nikko

• Started construction in 1617, finished in 1636

• Total of 24 buildings

• Most famous is its gate

• Dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa

• Contains a huge library with over 7,000 scrolls

• Over 15,000 workers to construct it

Art Attractions• Wooden carvings

– Sleeping cats– Monkeys– Elephant– Mythical beings

• Especially on Youmeimon Tower gateway

nemurineko 眠り猫Sleeping Cat

("Three Wise Monkeys")

三猿 san saru

See no evil, hear no evil,

speak no evil

見ざる、聞かざる、言わざる

- mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru

Stone GateIshidorii ( 石鳥居 )

Five Story Pagoda (tall tower)

Goju no To ( 五重塔 )

Futarasan Shrine

• Founded 1782 by Shodo Shohin

• On the shore of lake Chuzenji

• Dedicated to the Shinto gods

Kegon Waterfall• Most famous of 48 falls in Japan• 351 feet tall• Used to be a favorite spot for

suicide

By – Kathryn, Hannah, and Emily