Nikko Toshogu

Nikko Toshogu in Nikko, Tochigi, is the mausoleum shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), who is enshrined as Tosho Daigongen. The shrine was founded in 1617 on the advice of the Tendai monk Tenkai, transferring Ieyasu's remains from Mount Kuno. The grounds of about 38 hectares face Mount Nantai of the Nikko range and form part of the integrated Nikko mountain cult together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji. The lavish Edo-period complex was completed in the Kanei Reconstruction of 1636 under the third shogun Iemitsu; eight of its buildings, including the main hall, stone room, oratory and Yomeimon Gate, are National Treasures and 34 are Important Cultural Properties. The May 17-18 grand festival and the October 16-17 autumn festival, both reenacting the procession of a thousand warriors, are designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. The shrine was registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" in 1999.