This is the first temple founded in the 8C by the priest Shodo Shonin, who was so taken with the purity of Nikko's mountain landscape that he made it the divinity's land of choice. The Sanbutsu-do or "Three Buddha Hall" houses a 26m-tall statue of Amida-nyorai. This Buddha Amitabha or Buddha of the infinite Light - popular for his compassion - is flanked by Senju Kannon, a deity with 1 000 arms, and Bato Kannon, a goddess with a horse's head, protector of animals.