Rinnoji Temple in Nikko is actually an umbrella term, referring to the main hall, towers, and 15 sub-temples. Opened in the Nara period, it has prospered as a great shrine in the Kanto region since ancient times, and it has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as “The Shrines and Temples of Nikko.” In this article, we will introduce the history and highlights of Nikko Rinnoji Temple.
About Nikko Rinnoji
Nikko Rinnoji Temple is one of the three mountains of the Tendai school of Buddhism, along with Mount Hiei and Mount Tojo, and was opened during the second year of the Nara Period’s Tenpyo-jingo era (766AD) by a monk named Shodo Shonin. During the Heian period, Monk Kobo Daisha Kukai and other high priests visited the mountain and founded the temples, and during the Kamakura Period Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo donated, and became famous as Kanto's greatest holy precincts. Rinnoji’s precincts encompass the Sanbutsudo Main Hall, the Shoyo-en Garden, The Treasure House (Houmotsuden) displaying the treasures of Mount Nikko, Goma-do, the Taiyuin which holds the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and the Jogyo and Hokke halls that have been built in the image of Hieizan Enryakuji’s Ninai-do.
Highlights of Nikko Rinnoji 1: Main Hall (Sanbutsudo)
The first highlight is the main hall known as the Sanbutsudo, designated as important cultural property of the nation. It is said to be the largest wooden building in the Eastern Japan, and the building that stands today is the one that has been rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu. Three huge Buddha statues (Batou-Kannon, Amida-Nyorai, Senju-Kannon, known collectively as Nikko Sansho Gongen Butsu) that stand at 7.5 meters high, are enshrined inside as principal deities.
In addition, the Kongo-Zakura located in front of the Sanbutsudo is a huge tree with an estimated age of about 500 years, a height of about 10 meters, and a trunk of about 5.7 meters, and is designated as a national natural monument. The Kongo-Zakura blooms from late April to early May. It is one of the cherry blossoms that blooms large flowers from the pink buds.
The ancient Gohan Shiki ritual held every year on April 2 is also famous. It is a rare festival in which a monk dressed as a “Shugenja” (mountain ascetic) serves up rice in a black pot and a worshipper known as a Gohan Choudaijin is made to eat three bowls of rice. The person who takes the role of the Choudaijin is said to have good health as well as good fortune.
Nikko Rinnoji Highlight 2: Shoyo-en
Shoyo-en is a famous garden that was created during the Edo period with a pond made in the image of Lake Biwa. The surrounding views of Mount Nantai and Mount Nyoho are particularly impressive. Flowers and plants bloom all over seasonally. Some of these include cherry blossoms and azaleas in the spring, and beautiful leaves in the autumn. In addition, Shoyo-en has illuminations during the autumn and many people visit to view the leaves that have turned red.
Highlights of Nikko Rinnoji 3: Taiyuin Shrine
A Complete Guide to Rinnoji Temple's Taiyuinbyo Shrine in Nikko
Access to Nikko Rinnoji
To Sanbutsudo, Shoyo-en, Goma-do, and the Treasure Hall (Houmotsuden) from JR / Tobu Nikko Station, take the Tobu “World Heritage Tour" bus. It is a short walk from Shodo Shoninzou-mae (勝道上人像前) bus stop. For Taiyuin and Tsurugyodo, take the same bus and get off at Taiyuin Futarayama Jinja-mae (大猷院 二荒山神社前) bus stop. From there it is a short walk.
Spot Information
- Spot name：Nikko Rinnoji (Sanbutsudo)
- Street Address：2300 Yamauchi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1431
- Access： see above
- Ticket：400 yen (Sanbutsudo) 550 yen (Taiyuin), 900 yen for both
- Business hours: April-October: 08:00-17:00, November-March: 08:00-16:00 (Registration is closed 30 minutes before each period)
- Holidays: none
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