National Treasures of Japan, Toshogu Shrine Yomeimon Gate

Amongst the more than 150,000 Shinto shrines in Japan, 33 were selected on the List of National Treasures of Japan, and some of them are listed with more than one building, as the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, which is listed with 5 structures.

Photographed here is one of these structures, the Yomeimon Gate, also called Higurashinomon, an expression that can be loosely translated as "the gate at which people look all day long". And that name is certainly justified, the gate is absolutely amazing, with its two large statues of Zuijin guardians and with over 500 sculptures representing Reiju ("holy" or "spiritual") imaginary animals, children playing, old legends and many, many more...