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
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