Nikko Tosho-gu

Nikko Tosho-gu is an ornate Shinto shrine and the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years. Built in 1617 and later expanded into its current lavish form by grandson Iemitsu, the shrine complex features over 5,000 elaborate wood carvings covered in gold leaf and vivid lacquer. Among the most famous carvings are the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) and the sleeping cat known as Nemuri-neko. The Yomeimon Gate is considered one of the most beautiful gates in Japan, so richly decorated that visitors could spend an entire day admiring its details. The shrine is part of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World Heritage Site, set within a towering cedar forest that adds to the sacred atmosphere.