Toshogu is the lavish mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shogun who unified Japan, and the most spectacular of Nikko’s shrines. Set among towering cedars, its richly carved and gilded buildings are unlike anything else in the country, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that defines a visit to Nikko.

The Famous Carvings

Toshogu is celebrated for its elaborate woodcarvings, including the three wise monkeys who “see, hear and speak no evil” and the sleeping cat, the Nemuri-neko. The dazzling Yomeimon gate, covered in hundreds of carvings and gold leaf, is the undisputed highlight.

The Inner Shrine

A flight of stone steps through the forest leads up to Ieyasu’s tomb, a quieter and atmospheric counterpoint to the ornate halls below. Allow plenty of time, as the complex is large and richly detailed.

Getting There

Toshogu is a short bus ride or a pleasant uphill walk from the Nikko stations, often combined with the neighbouring temples and shrines in one visit. Arrive early to enjoy the carvings before tour groups arrive.

Toshogu is Nikko’s crown jewel. It sits within a wider sacred precinct of temples that reward further exploration.

More Nikko Travel Guides

• Rinno-ji and Nikko’s Sacred Temple Complex
• Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls: Nikko’s Highlands
• The Shinkyo Bridge and Nikko Town

See our Nikko Travel Guide for the full overview. Planning the whole trip? Visit The Complete Nikko Guide for every guide and hotel in one place.