Rin-nouji Temple, Tochigi prefecture

Rinnouji is Nikko's most important temple, founded by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko in the 8th century.

Founded in 766 as a base for sacred worship, it is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The temple's main building, the Sanbutsudo, houses large, gold lacquered, wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon ("Kannon with a thousand arms") and Bato-Kannon ("Kannon with a horse head"), the three deities regarded as Buddhist manifestations of Nikko's three mountain kami ("Shinto spirits") enshrined at Futarasan Shrine.

SOURCE: Yasufumi Nishi, courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization, used with permission.

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