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Rinnō-ji Temple - 輪王寺 (established 766, most buildings 17th century onward)

The origins of Rinnō-ji Temple date back to 766, when the temple Shihonryu-ji was founded by priest Shōdō Shōnin (勝道上人) . After Nikkō became an important Togukawa mausoleum site in the early 17th century, the temple grew larger and took on its current name. Currently it is the head temple of the Tendai-shu Sect.

In a rare direct convergence of Shinto and Buddhism, the three gods enshrined at Rinnō-ji's Sambutsu-do hall are identified with the three gods of Mt. Nantai (Mt. Futara) worshipped at nearby Futarsan Shrine. At Rinnō-ji, these gods are known as Bato-Kannon, Amida Nyorai, and Senju-Kannon. Bato-Kannon (Horse-head Kannon) is believed to eat the difficult times of mankind in the way a horse eats grass. Amida Nyorai is one of the highest buddhas with the power to save mankind, with some sects teaching that chanting "Namu-Amida-Butsu" with sincere determination ensures rebirth in Amida's heaven. Senju-Kannon is a buddha with 1002 arms and eyes. Statues of this god usually have four arms in front and 25 in the back, with the rear 25 thought to each have the power of 40 (the mathematics of this is unclear, since this method totals 1004 arms).