Rinnoji Temple - Nikko - Japan

Rinnoji Temple

Rinnoji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Nikko, Japan. It is one of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikko", a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was founded in 766 by Shodo Shonin, a Buddhist monk who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Nikko. The temple is dedicated to the Buddhist deity Bishamonten, and is the main temple of the Nikko branch of the Shugendo sect of Buddhism. The temple complex consists of several buildings, including the main hall, the five-story pagoda, and the Sanbutsudo Hall, which houses three large statues of the Buddha. The temple grounds also feature a number of other shrines and monuments, including the Yomeimon Gate, the Futarasan Shrine, and the Tamozawa Imperial Villa.