Video Narration Script

Nikko is located approximately
125 kilometers north of Tokyo
in Tochigi Prefecture.

Although the exact date of its
original construction is not known,
the Shinkyo bridge has been in
existence since Japan’s Muromachi period.
It has existed in its current form since 1636.

This bridge belongs to Futarasan Shrine
and was designated as a National Treasure
in 1929.

In December 1999 the
“Shrines and Temples Of Nikko”
were registered as a World Heritage Site.

Rinnoji Temple was founded by the
Buddhist priest Shodo toward the end
of the eight century.

Toshogu Shrine was built in 1617 to serve
as the mausoleum for Ieyasu Tokugawa,
the first Tokugawa shogun.
It represents the apex of a period in
Japanese shrine architecture known
as the Gongenzukuri style.

Built in 1636, the Shinkyu is a horse stable
of the Shoinzukuri style of architecture which
was the typical style for the residences
of feudal lords.

Yomei Mon was constructed in 1636 and is
Nikko’s most famous work of architecture.
Among Toshogu’s shrine buildings, it is the
most extensively and elegantly decorated.

Known as the Okusha Hoto in Japanese,
the tomb of Ieyasu Tokugawa originally
existed as a wooden structure that was
built in 1622.
It was rebuilt as a stone structure in 1641
and after being destroyed by an earthquake,
it was rebuilt again as a bronze pagoda in 1683.

Futarasan Shrine was founded by the
Buddhist priest Shodo in the year 782
and is the central focus of mountain worship
among the shrines in Nikko.
Ancient Japanese had a deep respect for high
mountains and believed that they possessed
god-like powers to control the weather.

The Taiyuin mausoleum was built in 1653
for the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu
and it belongs to Rinnoji Temple.
Though it bears some similarity to Toshogu Shrine,
it was designed to be intentionally more understated
out of respect for Ieyasu.

The Niten Mon holds the distinction
of being the largest gate in Nikko.

This gate is called the Kouka Mon,
which is the entrance to an area that
contains a building called the Okunoin,
which is not open to the public.