If you’re thinking about visiting Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, you might have questions like; What is Tochigi famous for, other than Nikko? What is the meaning of Nemurineko? Here are answers for these questions. I hope you enjoy visiting Nikko Toshogu!
What is Nikko Toshogu Shrine?
Nikko Toshigu Shrine is very famous Shinto shrine established in 1617. It enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, who was the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Nikko, where?
Nikko Toshogu Shrine is located in Tochigi Prefecture, Kanto region of Japan. But probably many people would say this: “where is Tochigi?” Well, many Japanese would say that Tochigi is the “countryside” of Japan.
Let’s see the map and figure out how long it takes from Tokyo station to Nikko Toshogu Shrine..
Yes it’s FAR! Just sitting on the train for 2-3 hours is enough, right? But it’s definitely worth your time and money. It is the place where you could feel the nature and the great history of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
About Tochigi Prefecture
You know, Nikko Toshogu Shrine is so famous, you can find all the history and important knowledge of it online in English. However, not many people know about Tochigi Prefecture, where the Nikko Toshogu Shrine is. To fully enjoy my visit to the Nikko, I researched on Tochigi Prefecture first- so I could get better picture of where I’m visiting.
How Big is Tochigi?
Tochigi Prefecture is the largest Prefecture in Kanto region, in terms of area. It has the population of about 1.95 million as of 2018, according to the official website of Tochigi.
What is it famous for?
Kinugawa Onsen (hot spring) – Tochigi has the famous hot spring called Kinugawa Onsen. Its hot spring is said to be great for many symptoms including neuralgia etc. It’d be a nice idea to visit Kinugawa Onsen and stay there for a while, after visiting the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
Utsunomiya Gyoza – Among Japanese people, Tochigi is famous for “Utsunomiya Gyoza”. “Utsunomiya” is a name of the city and Gyoza is a a dumpling with minced pork and vegetable stuffed inside. Gyoza is very popular food in Japan, you should definitely try it when you come to Tochigi!
Tochiotome – Also Tochigi is famous for the strawberries called “Tochiotome”. This kind of strawberry was firstly invented in Tochigi Prefecture and became famous for its sweet taste. You should try this Tochiotome too, if you visit here in spring! (its season is from November to May approximately)
Strong Accent – Many people from Tochigi prefecture speak with very strong accent, called “Tochigi-ben” (Tochigi dialect). It has very distinctive sound so it is also famous among Japanese.
Tochigi in summary : Tochigi has the largest area in Kanto region, home of 1.95 million people. There is a famous hot spring called Kinukawa Onsen, and its famous food is Utsunomiya Gyoza (dumpling) and Tochiotome (strawberry). Also it is famous that people from Tochigi speak with strong accent (Tochigi dialect).
My Trip to Nikko, Tochigi
I visited Nikko in October and it was raining a bit. I was wearing a shirt with long sleeves and a jacket but it was not enough, I wish I had worn more, as it was freezing. Nikko Toshigu Shrine is in the mountains so it’s better to prepare for the cold weather.
Meaning of Nemurineko
One of my purposes to visit Nikko was to see the woodcarving called “Nemurineko” (sleeping cat). It is very famous, the woodcarving of a “cat” at the shrine is pretty rare.
I’ve heard before that the sleeping cat (Nemurineko) is protecting enshrined Ieyasu Tokugawa, just pretending to be asleep, always ready for an attack. However, there is another story to this cat woodcarvings.
“PEACE” – It is said that “Nemurineko” symbolises the arrival of peaceful world, where even a very cautious cat could fall asleep, with its natural enemy, sparrows. (sparrows are carved on the back side of sleeping cat).
Also it is said that it symbolises the “co-existence”; the world where even the weakest could live feeling safe, just like the sparrows relaxed while the cat is sleeping.
Considering that Ieyasu Tokugawa is enshrined in Nikko, these stories perfectly make sense, as he was the one who started the Tokugawa Shogunate and by doing so, he ended the age of civil wars (Sengoku – Azuchi Momoyama period) into the Edo Period, which lasted for 265 years (1603 – 1868).
Meaning of Nemurineko in Summary: There are some stories told behind this woodcarving of a sleeping cat; it symbolises the peace and co-existence.
There are “three wise monkeys” too at the shrine (I somehow forgot to take pictures..) and they are representing the life of humans apparently. Don’t miss them too!
By visiting Nikko, you can feel the history of Japan, Tokugawa Shogunate.
I liked the place a lot so I want to visit there again (next time, I want to try Utsunomiya Gyoza and then visit Kinugawa Onsen.)
I hope you enjoy visiting Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Tochigi Prefecture! ありがとうございました。
