Nikko

Nikko is situated in Tochigi prefecture north of Tokyo. A former sacred spot for the Edo (Tokyo) Shogunate, this area is known for its glorious shrines and temples set in a beautiful surrounding with waterfalls and lakes.

One of the main attractions in Nikko is the Toshogu shrine. Toshogu is where the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate (17th-19th century), Ieyasu Tokugawa, is enshrined. As many as 127,000 craftsmen were involved in constructing the building, using the highest level of technology available at the time. In the back of the shrine, you can see the famous carvings of the 'three monkeys', known throughout the world for their 'see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil' poses.

In 1999, the buildings on Mount Nikko and the forest areas in the surrounding area were registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
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Links:

• Sightseeing in Nikko by the JNTO