This is a famous temple located in Nikko san area. It is very gorgeous style and have many beautiful and interesting statues. This enshrines Iemitau Tokugawa who is one of the mm most famous general in the Edo era.

For myself, this is the most beautiful temple complex in Nikko. It is a bit away from the others, it has a lot of stairs to climb, but it is well worth it, once you arrive. The complex has several shrines and a Mausoleum, all wonderfully embedded in the nature of Nikko's mountains.

This was mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu which was the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu which his mausoleum located in Toshogu. This mausoleum location was much better in terms of trees and isolation. I think it’s the most impressive area of Nikko heritage site area.

Lovely shrine built as a tribute to Iemitsu, grandson of Ieyasu. Huge stone lanterns and scary god statutes

Just for looking at the ornamental arrow my dad brought back from this temple tells me the 17th century elegance, and it also tells me to visit here when I get a chance! wow, it has the dragon holding a magic sphere! so cool. Harry Potter can make a sequel movie with this dragon wand! 💜

This Temple is about 80% as nice as the other bigger temple East of here but only about 20% as busy as you can see from the pictures so an awesome retreat from the crowds. Entrance is about half the cost of the main temple. I suggest to do both if you have made the 2.5h journey from Tokyo.

This is also beautiful temple. The thing is you have seen a lot in a day. Now you are kinda confused where you are at. Ticket is bundle with another temple with 50 yen discount if I remember correctly.

This is my recommendation for Nikkō. Perhaps it was the serenity of having the entire place to myself as the crowds all swooped upon Tōshō-gū. Taiyūin is the mausoleum of Iemitsu, not quite as extravagant but still plenty of interesting facets to behold. I enjoyed studying the guardians as I passed through each gate before reaching the final gate which guards the mausoleum itself. Entry tickets can be purchased from the vending machine (IC card accepted) or ticket counter at the entrance.

Really amazing and pretty! I recommend paying (550 yens per adult). The can see the typical japenese temple but as well as one that have been inspire by the ming dynasty of china

This was my favorite part of the Rinnoji Temple complex. It is the mausoleum for Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun. While not quite as ornate as Toshogu Shrine, which is for his grandfather Tokugawa Ieyasu, it is still beautiful. You can enter the temple hall in the back and hear about the statues, history, etc. from a monk (Japanese only). Of all spots up here, this was the least crowded part of the complex, even during Golden Week. It was nice to be away from the crowds and have time to slow down, read the signs about the history, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Highly recommend!

Definitively one of the most beautiful temple in the area. Highly recommended. It is just a short walk from the Toshogu temple.

One of the most intricate and well maintained temple compounds I have seen in any of my visits to Japan. The architecture and design choices definitely fit the high importance of this temple. Built to be the temple and final resting place of Tokugawa Iemitsu, 3rd generation Tokugawa shogun, it is a very important set of gates and buildings. While the mausoleum very likely does not protect Iemitsu's remains (those are likely in his families original temple compound far from Nikko) the compound is insanely ornate and beautiful.

This is really a mausoleum complex for the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Majestically set amongst towering cedars, it is a wonderfully atmospheric place. The mossy forest, full of ferns, adds considerably to the beauty of the site. A stone staircase leads upwards through three sets of ornamental gates, beautifully decorated in black and gold, to a hall and tomb in the forest. Highly recommended.

Gorgeous temples and shrines in a less busy section of the World Heritage Area in Nikko. Definitely worth a visit!

Nice quieter temple. Intricate handywork. Many angry statues to look at. Some info in English on the exhibits. You can go into the temple - shoes off. Requires payment to get into the temple grounds.

Similar but less detailed and glamorous design to the Toshogu. There are less visitors here, which is a great thing because you can read the descriptions about different structures and building here and learn more about the Japanese culture. Worth the visit. Recommend taking the bus here first, then work your way down to Toshogu as this shrine is located higher on the moutain than Toshogu.

Less crowded, but small and beautiful. Two staff people explained a lot of the history and craftsmanship in Japanese. The huge door houses 4 "Oni" (demons?) protecting the place from bad things coming from 4 cardinal direction. The blue one is actually the only one existing in all Japan. Their names were too complicated to remember, but some Japanese words used still today originate from the onis' clothes and face expressions.