As we come closer to reaching Toshogu, the area around it also has a lot of history.
To the right of the torii is the Kamijinko and supposedly this is where a lot of the samurai outfits are kept for when the area has their festival.
You will then come across the Shoro. You will see a bell tower and on the right side towards the Yomei gate there is a Korean bell that the Joseon Dynasty celebrated the birth of the firstborn of Ikko. In the Edo period, the bell was a gift from the Korean delegation that was in friendly relations with Japan at the time. On the opposite side across the road there is a rotating lamp cage made in the Netherlands.
And then on the far left from the Torii, you will see the Yakushido (Crying Dragon) because of the dragons around the rooftops. You will need to purchase tickets to go in it, and you must take off your shoes.
And now it’s time to go up the steps and go through the gate (Yomeimon) to see the Toshigu Shrine which I will discuss in part 7.
