Toshogu+Shrine

Toshogu Shrine is a Shinto Shrine that is found in Nikko. The shrine was created for, and dedicated to, Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the founder of Tokugawa shogunate. Toshogu was built in the 1617, the Edo Period and was created by Tokugawa Ieyasu's followers when he asked them to build him a shrine so he could be a guardian. The shrine is known for its five famous structures that are known as "National Treasures of Japan" and three others that are known as "Important Cultural Properties". The Shrine's most famous artifact is the carving of the three wise monkeys. The monkeys are carved in different expressions that symbolizes: "Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil", which is a traditional symbol in both Japanese and Chinese culture. Toshogu Shrine also has famous buildings, such as the Yomeimon, a very large gate that if one were to gaze at it, they wouldn't get tired of looking at it. Today, the Toshogu Shrine attracts many people because of its amazing features. Every spring and autumn they hold annual festivals. The festivals are reenactment of the processions by Tokugawa Shogunate to Edo to Nikko. The Shrine is a great tourist attraction that many would wish to want to go back to.