Jinjaodo Hall

Built by Rinnoji Temple's founder Shodo Shonin in the eighth century to honor the spirit that helped him cross the Daiya River. According to legend, Shodo and his followers could not ford the dangerous rapids until a fierce figure appeared, declaring himself Jinjao, the same protector who aided the Chinese monk Xuanzang on his journey to India for Buddhist scriptures. Jinjao then draped a giant red and blue snake across the river to form a bridge. The hall commemorates that moment of miraculous crossing. The current structure was rebuilt in 1978 and remains one of Nikko's quieter historic sites.