Nikko Rinnoji Taiyuin (Tomb of Tokugawa Iemitsu)

Taiyuin is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, located deep in the mountains of Nikko. Unlike the extravagant Nikko Toshogu, Taiyuin exudes a more serene and refined atmosphere, showcasing restrained beauty through its intricate decorations and wooden architecture. The cedar forest lining the path to the shrine and the misty precincts evoke a sense of traveling back in time. The golden altar and dragon carvings inside are particularly impressive, making it one of the most sacred places in Nikko.