Nikko Toshogu Shrine: Tickets, Hours and What to See
A Toshogu ticket costs ¥1,600 for adults. The shrine is open 9:00–17:00 from April to October and 9:00–16:00 from November to March, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Guided tours spend 2–2.5 hours inside, which is enough for the Yomeimon gate, the Sleeping Cat, the Three Wise Monkeys and the climb to Ieyasu’s tomb.
Nikko Toshogu
Tickets & hours
Shrine ticket
¥1,600
adults and high-school students
¥550
elementary and junior-high students
Shrine + Treasure Museum
¥2,400
adults · children ¥870
Audio guide (English)
¥500
Apr 1 – Oct 31
9:00–17:00
Nov 1 – Mar 31
9:00–16:00
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Source: Nikko Toshogu official site (toshogu.jp)
Tickets and prices
| Ticket | Adult / high school | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Toshogu shrine | ¥1,600 | ¥550 |
| Shrine + Treasure Museum | ¥2,400 | ¥870 |
| Treasure Museum only | ¥1,000 | — |
| Audio guide (English available) | ¥500 per day, rented just inside the main gate | |
The shrine ticket covers Omotemon gate to Yomeimon, the Haiden hall, the East Corridor with the Sleeping Cat, the Okumiya inner shrine and the Honjido hall (Crying Dragon) source. Rinno-ji temple next door sells its own tickets, and The joint shrine-and-temple ticket is not on sale for the time being source.
Opening hours
| Season | Toshogu | Rinno-ji (Sanbutsudo, Taiyuin) |
|---|---|---|
| April – October | 9:00–17:00 | 8:00–17:00 |
| November – March | 9:00–16:00 | 8:00–16:00 |
At both, ticket sales stop 30 minutes before closing source. Festivals and repair work can close parts of the shrine; the shrine asks visitors to check ahead.
How long to spend at Toshogu
Guided tours plan 2–2.5 hours for Toshogu alone (tour itineraries). Nikko City’s tourism site puts a quick walk around all the shrines and temples at about 3–4 hours source. If you also want Rinno-ji’s Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin, the temple itself suggests 1.5–2 hours for both.
What to see inside
- Yomeimon gate. The most elaborate of the gates, covered in carvings, paint and gold leaf. It is one of the 8 National Treasures in the complex source.
- The Three Wise Monkeys. The “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” panel is one of a series of monkey carvings on the sacred stable, which you pass before the Yomeimon gate.
- The Sleeping Cat (Nemuri-neko). A small carving above the passage in the East Corridor that leads to the inner shrine. It is easy to walk past; look up as you enter the corridor.
- Okumiya. The inner shrine with the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), up a long flight of stone steps behind the Sleeping Cat.
- Honjido (Crying Dragon). The hall with the dragon painted on the ceiling; it is included in the shrine ticket.
Rinno-ji, Taiyuin and Futarasan
Toshogu is one of three religious sites that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with Futarasan Shrine and Rinno-ji temple source.
| Rinno-ji ticket | Adult | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Sanbutsudo hall | ¥400 | 10–20 minutes |
| Taiyuin (mausoleum of the third shogun) | ¥550 | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Sanbutsudo + Taiyuin | ¥900 | 1.5–2 hours |
Prices and times: Rinno-ji official site source.
Dress, photos and festivals
- Dress: Toshogu’s website does not list a dress code. Wear comfortable shoes for the stone steps up to the Okumiya.
- Photos: Toshogu’s website does not publish photo rules, so follow the signs at each building. At Rinno-ji, Photography is not allowed inside the Sanbutsudo hall source.
- Festivals: the grand festivals with horseback archery and the Parade of a Thousand Warriors are on May 17–18 source and October 16–17 source. Expect crowds; flash photography is not allowed near the horses during the festival because it can frighten them.
Getting to Toshogu
From Tobu-Nikko or JR Nikko station, the World Heritage loop bus reaches the Omotesando stop in 13 min source; the NIKKO PASS covers it. From Tokyo, see how to get to Nikko, and for a full day plan, the itinerary.
Tours that include Toshogu
All the tours we compare visit Toshogu. These three include the shrine with a guide or a ticket:
We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. How we choose tours.
Private full day: shrines, Tamozawa villa and Kegon
from $475 per group up to 5
Check availability on GetYourGuideFrequently asked questions
How much is the ticket for Nikko Toshogu?
¥1,600 for adults and high-school students, ¥550 for elementary and junior-high students. The shrine plus Treasure Museum ticket is ¥2,400.
What are Toshogu opening hours?
9:00–17:00 from April 1 to October 31 and 9:00–16:00 from November 1 to March 31. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
How long do you need at Toshogu?
Guided tours plan 2–2.5 hours. Add 1.5–2 hours if you also visit Rinno-ji's Sanbutsudo and Taiyuin.
Where is the Sleeping Cat?
Above the passage in the East Corridor that leads up to the Okumiya, the inner shrine. It is included in the standard shrine ticket.
Where are the Three Wise Monkeys?
On the sacred stable building inside the shrine grounds, before you reach the Yomeimon gate.
Is there a combined ticket for Toshogu and Rinno-ji?
The joint shrine-and-temple ticket is not on sale for the time being. Buy the Toshogu and Rinno-ji tickets separately.
Is there an English audio guide?
Yes, the shrine rents an audio guide in English for ¥500 per day.
When are the Toshogu festivals?
The spring grand festival is on May 17–18 and the autumn festival on October 16–17, both with horseback archery and the Parade of a Thousand Warriors.
Prices and hours last checked: October 25, 2026. Fares and opening hours change; confirm on the official sites linked in each table before you travel.