Taiyuin Mausoleum
輪王寺大猷院
The mausoleum of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. It is deliberately more restrained than Toshogu yet equally golden, and it is part of the "Two Shrines and One Temple" World Heritage site.
Taiyuin was completed in 1653. Iemitsu's will stated that it must not surpass the shrine of his grandfather Ieyasu, so its scale and decoration are more modest than Toshogu's. The palette is dominated by black and gold. The Niō Gate, Nifuten Gate, Yasha Gate, and Karamon Gate form a layered progression, and both the Haiden (worship hall) and the Honden (main hall) are National Treasures. Climbing the moss-covered stone steps, you will find the atmosphere quieter than at Toshogu.
Admission is about ¥550, or you can buy a combined Rinno-ji ticket. Hours are 8:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November to March). It is on the west side of Futarasan Shrine, about 5 minutes' walk from Toshogu.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00 (Nov–Mar until 16:00)
Nearby sights
- Futarasan Shrine
- Shinkyo Bridge
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine
- Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park
- Rinnoji Temple
- Kanmangafuchi Abyss
- Kirifuri Falls
- Kirifuri Kogen Highland