TOKUGAWA Iemitsu deeply respected Tokugawa Ieyasu and rebuilt Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of the TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, with very gorgeous architecture in 1634. As TOKUGAWA Iemitsu declared that he would serve TOKUGAWA Ieyasu even after his death, his mausoleum was built in Nikko near Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

Taiyuin Temple was built by the forth "Shogun", TOKUGAWA Ietsuna, in 1652 and is located to the west of Nikko Ftaarasan Shrine. If you walk on the approach of Taiyuin Temple from Nikko Ftaarasan Shrine, you will find the Deva Gate, the "Nio-Mon" Gate.

The Deva Gate was built in 1652, when Taiyuin Temple was built. The original gate remains as it was. The atmosphere of the Deva Gate was full of dignity.

After passing through the Deva Gate, you will see the "Niten-Mon" Gate at the top of stone stairs.

Stone stairs continues after passing through the "Niten-Mon" Gate. The view from the stone stairs is shown in the below left picture. You can also see the garden of "Ryukoin" Temple, shown in the below right picture. You will also see many garden lanterns.

When you arrive at the top of the stairs, you will see two bell-towers. Many garden lanterns surround these two bell-towers. They were donated by federal land-lords in the Edo Age.

Behind these two bell-towers, "Yasha-Mon" Gate is located.

"Yasha-Mon" Gate is well decorated and is very gorgeous.

The mausoleum of TOKUGAWA Iemitsu is protected by many gates. This tells you how TOKUGAWA Iemitsu was highly dignified. After passing through "Yasha-Mon" Gate, you will see "Kara-Mon" Gate. "Kara-Mon" Gate is also well decorated. All of these existing original gates are designated as important properties of Japan.

"Haiden" Hall, Ainoma Hall and "Honden", the Main Hall, are connected to the "Kara-Mon" Gate. The architecture of these three buildings is the same as Nikko Toshogu Shrine. These shrine buildings are designated as national treasures of Japan.

These buildings are also very gorgeous, but they were designed and built not to be much more gorgeous than the buildings of Nikko Toshogu, the mausoleum of the first "Shogun", TOKUGAWA Ieyasu.

To the right of the main hall of "Taiyuin" Temple, the grave of TOKUGAWA Iemitsu is located.

The "Kouka-Mon" Gate, shown in the above picture, is the entrance gate of the grave of TOKUGAWA Iemitsu. Unfortunately, the grave is not open to the public.

How to get there
To go to Nikko, you will take a Limited Express "Kegon" on Tobu Line from Asakusa Station. "Kegons" run at once or twice a hour. Or Take a Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya and change to the JR Nikko Line to JR Nikko Station.
Both from JR Nikko and Tobu Nikko Station, take a bus to "Shinkyo". Then, walk to Taiyuin Temple. It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes from the Shinkyo Bus stop to Taiyuin Temple.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Nikko Futaarasan Shrine
Rinnoji Temple in Nikko
Ruins of Ashio Copper Mine