Nikko Toshogu Hōmotsukan Museum

A modern building and it is the first one visitor can see from the parking lot or bus station. As other museums, visitors can see some ancient knifes, carriages, armors, documents, etc. The admission is required and can be purchased together with Toshogu Shrine.

Since most visitors up to this point are likely to have come here to see Nikko Toshogu Shrine, we recommend that you visit the Treasure House here first to learn about it.The Toshogu Theater was supposed to provide an explanation of the Yomeimon Gate and learn about the points of interest and historical background of the tour, but the theater was out of order.There is no mention of this on the website, which is disappointing.Also, photography is prohibited inside the museum. We purchased a set ticket that included both a Nikko Toshogu shrine ticket and a Treasure Museum ticket (2,400 yen for adults and high school students / 870 yen for elementary and junior high school students; 2,600 yen for adults and high school students / 950 yen for elementary and junior high school students if purchased separately), and after visiting Toshogu, we went to the Treasure Museum, which also houses Ueshima Coffee. The Ueshima Coffee shop was very popular and there were no seats available, so we stopped by for a break after visiting the Treasure House first. I felt it was better to take out and drink in the fresh green surroundings if the weather was good, because I was lucky enough to have a seat when it was crowded.

On April 9, 2024, my wife and I came. Last fall when I visited Nikko solo, I chose not to visit this place, saving until this time. I was smart as the basic entrance fee is Yen1600. Having visited the place, I remarked to my wife that we didn’t need to come back again. She didn’t disagree.

A racially discriminatory elderly male staff member treated foreign tourists with extreme hostility, as if we were criminals. Although photography is prohibited in the treasure hall, he scolded us just for having a camera hanging around the neck. While saying “This is the rule in Japan,” he rudely inspected my camera and found no evidence of illegal photography, yet still aggressively threatened to call the police. This caused us significant emotional distress and ruined our day of sightseeing in Nikko. I sincerely hope that other visitors will not be treated like criminals by this elderly male staff member.

Unfortunately no photos are allowed in the museum, but the shrines around it and museum artefacts itself are amazing to see. Make sure you cast your gaze upon Yomeimon, a national treasure, and the most beautiful fate in all of Japan. Do enjoy the animation clip of the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, extremely educational and easy to follow with English subtitles as well.

I recommend the ticket to visit the tombs and museum at the same time. It’s really worth looking at everything. Beautiful collection and fascinating history!

One of the most ornate and well preserved religious site in Japan with amazing architecture, intricate carving and exquisite historical artifacts.

Great museum, definitely worth visiting, and visit is included into a ticket price.