The first major area I’m going to spend some time discussing is Rinnoji Temple because it’s an area where a lot of renovations are taking place.
According to the Nikko website:
The history of the Nikkosan Rinno-Ji Temple started 1200 years ago, when Shodo Shonin (Saint Shodo), who firstly served as the head priest of Nikko, founded the Shihonryuji Temple. Sanbutsudo Hall, the main temple, is one of the largest wooden architectures in Nikkousan, and houses Buddhist statues respectively symbolizing honchibutsu (original Buddhist divinity), of the holy three mountains in Nikko, such as Senju-Kannon (Kannon with a thousand arms: honchibutsu of Mt. Nantaisan), Amidanyorai (Amitabha Tathagata: honchibutsu of Mt. Nyohousan), and Bato-Kannon (Kannon with a horse head: honchibutsu o Mt. Tarosan),, which is 8m tall.
In addition to the above, there are still many spots that visitors should not miss: such as the Gomado Hall that houses the statues of the gods of fortune such as Bishamonten, Daikokuten and Benzaiten; temple’s treasure house that exhibits the statues of Buddha and sutras registered as the national treasures or important cultural properties; Shoyoen garden, a Japanese-style garden that features a path around a pond.
* The Sanbutsudo Hall is currently undergoing major renovation works, which are scheduled to last until March 2021. During this period, the special path for viewing the inside of Sanbutsudo Hall from a height of 26m is available.
After seeing the Shodo Shonin on the map, you’ll have to walk five minutes to go around and get to the main area.
You’ll have to walk a path about fie minutes through Nakayamadoori Street and then you will reach the following:
Currently the main hall is encased in a metal building as it goes through renovations.
But they will allow you to see the temple and the ongoing renovations in which you can purchase tickets for the Rinnouji Combined Ticket (Hondo (Sanbutsudo + Taiyun – Third Shogun Iyemitsu’s Mausoleum) for Y900 (16 and older), Y400 (15 and under). Or for Hondo, it’s only Y400 for 16 and older and Y200 for 15 and younger.
Please note: No photography is allowed inside!
You will see a Treasure House nearby:
You’ll see the Nikkōzan Rinnoji Komyoin inari yashiro…
What’s interesting is this sign, showing that your elevation is as high as Tokyo Sky Tree.
With that being said, many may want to know if tickets are worth purchasing despite Rinnoji Temple being renovated through 2021. While you can see parts of the temple, to be truthful, there is not much to be seen at this time. But since you came so far, if it’s worth the Y900 to you, then by all means check it out! Just remember, no photography inside!
As you leave and head up north, you will see the information sign:
And now we will walk until we get close to the next major location to see…Nikko Toshogu! What’s around the area? Find out in the next blog post!
