Rinnoji Temple is a historical Buddhist temple in Nikko. It is not far from Nikko Toshogu Shrine and you can't miss it because of its large Sanbutsudo building. The temple was founded in the 8th century and was visited by illustrious monks such as Kukai and warriors such as Minamoto no Yoritomo. Prior to the Meiji period (1868-1912), Rinnoji temple, Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Futarasan Jinja Shrine formed one large area that was called the great spiritual place of the east of Japan.