Nikko (120 kilometers north of Tokyo)was founded in the 8th century by the Buddhist priest Shodo, it is home of Nikko National Park and 103 historic buildings and architectural wonders including Taiyun-Byo Shrine which is set in a beautiful cedar forest location and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the 8th century, the Buddhist priest Shodo Shonin founded the first temple at Nikko on his way to Mount Nantai. The village became a renowned Buddhist-Shinto religious centre, leading the renowned warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu to choose it as the site for his mausoleum. 

His grandson, Togugawa Iemitsu, had his shrine-mausoleum, Tosho-gu built in 1634, ensuring it would impress on any rivals the might of the Tokugawa clan. Iemitsu's own mausoleum, Taiyun-byo, is also located in Nikko, in a sublime setting of Japanese cedars. These shrines and temples make it a popular destination for travellers. The Taiyun-byo Shrine, completed in 1653, is Tokugawa Iemitsu's mausoleum. Several ornate gates ascend to the sanctuary (Haiden) and inner sanctuary (Honden). The shogun's ashes are beyond the final, sixth gate.