Home Japan Tochigi Prefecture Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Toshogu Shrine

★ 4.8 (9K+ reviews) • 131K+ booked
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Toshogu Shrine Reviews

4.8 /5
9K+ reviews
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Klook User
3 Nov 2025
Me and my partner booked this experience and had a wonderful time, our guide Jeffrey was a pleasure to be with and was informative about different locations and gave clear instructions on what was happening, there was a good amount of time between attractions and managed to do all of the packed itenarary, would recommend to anyone who wants to see the beautiful landscape of Nikko
1+
洪 **
3 Nov 2025
The train from Asakusa to Tobu Nikko Station is free, but only for regular trains. If you want the limited express train, you need to book it online separately. Arrived in Tokyo on Saturday morning, and there were no limited express seats available in the morning. It took an extra hour and a half with four train changes to reach Nikko. The two-day pass requires an additional fee of over 1,000 yen to visit Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji. Overall, the two-day Nikko pass is still worthwhile.
2+
Klook User
3 Nov 2025
it’s near the station, the tourist bus stops and there are a lot of restaurants nearby. They let us check in early without additional payment.
Klook User
3 Nov 2025
We got pretty unlucky, as due to the public holiday the roads were extremely congested, but the driver and our lovely tour guide Arlene worked very hard so that we could see as much as possible and get the most of our circumstances, I’m very appreciative of them. I recommend the tour to everyone, Nikko is stunning and if you manage to go during the red leaves season, the views are breathtaking in the other two attractions.
2+
Usuario de Klook
2 Nov 2025
The tour has the perfect amount of time for each place visited. The locations are beautiful and it's completely worth visiting each one, especially Lake Chuzenji.
2+
蘇 **
2 Nov 2025
This was my first time participating in a Klook day trip, and I felt it was pretty good. There was ample time at each attraction to slowly enjoy it. I would definitely experience different places again in the future if I have the chance.
2+
陶 *
2 Nov 2025
The sunlight on a good day is very photogenic. The itinerary was very tight. We spent about 1.5 hours at Nikko Toshogu Shrine (the tour guide said it was impossible to stay for 3 hours due to the three-day weekend traffic), and used the remaining 0.5 hours to eat something. Lake Chuzenji was 30 minutes for taking photos. I thought it would be at the big torii gate, but it was by the lake near the parking lot. There wasn't enough time to go back and forth to the big torii gate, but the time felt too long near the parking lot. I just kept taking pictures of one maple tree with red leaves. Kegon Falls was a 50-minute visit. We took the elevator down, took pictures, lined up to go back up, and also ate some local snacks. Nikko is still too far from Tokyo. We departed at 7:30 in the morning and arrived at 18:30 in the evening. Of the 11 hours, we only spent 3 hours and 20 minutes sightseeing, and the rest of the time was spent on the road. Last year on November 1st, I signed up for a Mount Fuji day trip. I asked a friend which day trip was more fun, and my friend said Mount Fuji was.
2+
Tricia ***************
2 Nov 2025
We really enjoyed our trip to Nikko thanks to our driver, Makk! He messaged me the day prior to the trip through whatsapp and communication have been easy and prompt since then. He was really corteous and often times acted as a tour guide as well. He gave us suggestions on how to alot our time to maximize the trip and he was very flexible when we wanted to change some things in the itinerary. We have two senior citizens in our group so we really appreciated that he dropped and fetched us near the tourist spots with minimal walking. Overall, it was a great and enjoyable tour and we definitely recommend booking this tour especially if you’re travelling in a group!

Popular places near Toshogu Shrine

Nikko
158K+ visitors
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
128K+ visitors
Lake Chūzenji
17K+ visitors
Tobu World Square
22K+ visitors
Yudaki Falls
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Ashikaga Flower Park
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FAQs about Toshogu Shrine

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What to know about Toshogu Shrine

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a beautiful memorial shrine in Nikko, Japan. Built to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the shrine is famous for its elaborate wood carvings. Nikko Toshogu is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes several other shrines and temples in Nikko. One highlight of this site is the Yomeimon Gate. When you see it up close, you can admire over 500 intricate carvings. As you start exploring the shrines, you’ll quickly notice its many treasures. Make sure not to miss the famous Three Wise Monkeys carving, which shows the saying "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Moving further into the shrine, you'll discover the peaceful Nemuri Neko (Sleeping Cat) and the impressive Five-Story Pagoda. With its combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and artistic mastery, Toshogu Shrine is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Japan.
2301 Sannai, Nikko City, Tochigi, Japan

Things to do at Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Explore the Yomeimon Gate

The Yomeimon Gate is a main attraction at Toshogu Shrine, famous for its detailed wood carvings and shiny gold decorations. Take some time to look closely at the amazing designs and many figures on this beautiful gate. It is often seen as one most beautiful gates in Japan.

See the Famous Three Wise Monkeys

One of the coolest things to see at Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the carving of the Three Wise Monkeys. One monkey is covering its eyes, another its ears, and the last one is its mouth. The monkeys are carved on the Sacred Stable and are admired by visitors from all over the world

Check out the Five-Story Pagoda

The Five-Story Pagoda at the entrance of Toshogu Shrine is a striking architectural beauty. Each level of the pagoda represents one of the five elements of Buddhist cosmology: earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. The bright red color and detailed construction make it a standout feature of the shrine.

Listen to the Crying Dragon

Check out the Crying Dragon (Nakiryu) ceiling painting in Honjido Hall at the Toshogu Shrine. If you clap your hands under the painting, you'll hear a special echo that sounds like the dragon is crying. Don't miss it!

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