Nikkō Tōshō-gū Audio Guide
Explore Nikkō Tōshō-gū with Stanza's guided offline audio tour.
About the Tour
Nikkō Tōshō-gū is a Shinto shrine located in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site 'Shrines and Temples of Nikko' and enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu.
What you will hear
Stone Torii Gate
The grand entrance to the shrine, this massive stone gate was donated in 1618 and marks the transition from the profane to the sacred.
Important Cultural Property: Stone Torii
Welcome to Nikkō Tōshō-gū, starting at this massive 1618 stone gateway that stands as one of the largest and most impressive in all of Japan.
Five-storied Pagoda
Standing 35 meters tall, this Buddhist-style structure represents the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism; look for the twelve signs of the zodiac carved around the base.
Five-Storied Pagoda
This 35-meter-tall tower is not just a masterpiece of color, but a marvel of traditional earthquake-proof engineering hidden deep within its core.
Eaves of the Pagoda
Take a closer look at the complex network of interlocking wooden joints that support these heavy roofs without using a single metal nail.
The Front Gate (Omote-mon)
Guarded by fierce Niō statues, this is the first of many richly decorated gates that lead you deeper into the complex.
The Temple Guardians
Two fierce figures stand guard here, their muscular forms and intense expressions designed to ward off evil and represent the cycle of the universe.
The Three Wise Monkeys
The most famous wood carving in Japan, these monkeys illustrate the philosophy of 'See no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil.'
Three Wise Monkeys Carving
The unpainted cedar of the Sacred Stable stands in quiet contrast to the rest of the shrine, housing the messengers of the gods.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 37 stops and the complete guided audio tour.