Serene and beautiful, I highly recommend visiting this area of the Nikko World Heritage Site. You need to purchase a separate ticket for this portion of the visit, but the cost of the ticket is worth it. When we visited in late December, there was no line to get a ticket. I also recommend at least scanning the informational displays to understand a little about the various components of the mausoleum and the traditions of the time. This area was not as crowded, so it was a nice break from the crowds. Strange that it wasn't as crowded, however, since it is equally as beautiful as the main temple. There are a lot of stairs, all made of stone, and it had recently snowed, so I recommend a good pair of shoes with non-slip soles.
My favorite Nikko temple.
The crowds haven’t discovered this one yet so it’s very quiet. The massive trees surrounding the complex give it something very mystical. Amazing architecture as well.
This temple is my second favorite inside the complex. You can purchase a ticket for admission to the temple only, or a combination ticket that also includes admission to the Nikkozan Rin’nōji Temple, which was not particularly interesting. The Taiyu-in Temple was a beautiful structure with intricate details. It was worth spending a good amount of time examining every part.
After climbing many steps amongst a bunch of large lanterns, you'll reach the top and find a lavishly designed temple. Inside, you can remove your shoes, sit, relax, and listen to a dedicated guide explain the history of the building.
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!
Our final temple of a full day of temple touring. None disappointed as they all have different histories and appeal. Taiyuin is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. To honor his grandfather, Iemitsu renovated Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of Ieyasu, and had Taiyuin constructed to face Toshogu.
