Sanzaru (Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine/Shinkyusha)

The three wise monkeys of the Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine

Sanzaru (Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine/Shinkyusha)

Area

Nikko

Category

Shrine / temple History

The "Three Wise Monkeys" refers to the monkey carvings on the walls of the Shinkyusha building of Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine. The Shinkyusha building was built to tie down the god horses. The monkey carvings were engraved to protect over the horses. The monkey carvings show the life span of a human being, and the 3 monkeys appear on the second panel. The 3 monkeys, which are quite famous for the phrase, "monkey don't see, monkey don't say, monkey don't hear", was made to protect children. This phrase has a purpose to protect children from all bad things and only expose them to positive things.

Basic Information

Address

2301, Yamauchi, Nikko City, 321-1431

Phone

0288-54-0560

Hours

Apr 1~Oct 31  8:00am-5:00pm
Nov 1~Mar 31 8:00am-4:00pm

Closed

n/a

Fee

Adult/High School Student: (Individual 1-34 persons) 1,300 JPY, (Group 35 and more) 1,170 JPY
Elementary/Middle School Student: (Individual 1-34 persons) 450 JPY, (Group 35 and more) 405 JPY

Guide

[Japanese (For adults/for children) /English/Chinese]
Rental Fee: 500 JPY per day
Rental Spot: straight ahead past the front gate
Reception hours: April~October 9:00am-4:00pm, November~March 9:00am-3:00pm
How to Reserve: For large groups, please contact (toshoguonsei@gmail.com)
*no need to make reservations for individual use

Website

http://toshogu.jp/shaden/

Access

FromBus Stop [Toubunikko Station]

Toubu Bus/Oku Yashio Bound
→[West approach street entrance]→walk (about 5 minutes)

FromJR Nikko Station/Toubunikko Station, Station front bus stop

Toubu Bus/Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen Bound
→[Shinkyou]→walk (about 10 minutes)