The origin of the Rinnoji Temple can be traced back to the Shihonryuji Temple, which was erected by Priest Shodo, the founder of the temple complex at Nikko, toward the end of the eighth century, and it developed as the central temple in the complex. However, ever since 1653, when the Taiyuin was build as the mausoleum of the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, the temple was used as the religious base for the Tokugawa Shogunate. The main shrine, the Ai-no-ma room and the worship hall (haiden) of the Taiyuin Reibyo (mausoleum) have been designated as National Treasures, whereas further 37 buildings as Important Cultural Properties.

The Hondo (Sambutsudo) (C1)

The Hondo (Sambutsudo), as it exists today, was constructed in1646, although legends tell of its existence as far back as 848. The building was relocated in 1879 to the place where it stands now in the wake of the issuance of the Shintoism and Buddhism Separation Decree by the Meiji government in1871. It shows the typical elements of early Edo architecture, not least owing to a recent restoration project in which every alteration made in the past has been "undone" and all elements have been restored to the original style on the basis of the latest information obtained through academic investigation.

The Kaizando (C4)

The Kaizando was constructed around 1720 as a token of reverence for the Buddhist priest Shodo, who is the founder of Rinno-ji and credited as the initiator of authentic religious activities in the Nikko Mountains. This vermilion-lacquered building decorated in Soben patterns shows typical elements of the China-influenced multi-storied architectural style of the middle Edo Period. Enshrining a statue of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha as the custodian deity, it still is a living ritual site where a memorial service, called Kaisan-e, is celebrated on the first of April every year.

The Jogyodo (C5) and the Hokkedo (C6)
The Jogyodo and the Hokkedo are 1649 reconstructions of the prototype structures founded in the late Heian Period. The Japanese-style Jogyodo and the Chinese-style Hokkedo connected by a corridor form the entrance to the Jigendo.
Although the Jogyodo once had traces of alteration in the door parts and other members, it has been restored to the original style on the basis of the latest information obtained through academic research.

The Sanjunoto (C16)

The Sanjunoto was erected in 1685 in the present location, where the Shihonryu-ji had been previously located, after its original structure constructed in 808 was lost in a fire in 1684. The smooth curved silhouette produced by pent roofs of gradually narrowing dimensions on the three-storied pagoda gives an impression of stability to the structure, at the same time offering a graceful presentation of the typical architectural style of the middle Edo Period. The Taiyu-in Reibyo Karamon, Yashamon and Kokamon, whose descriptions are given below separately, were erected in 1653 as a group of gates leading into the Taiyu-in Reibyo. They have been maintained to this day without any alteration in their form.

The Taiyu-in Reibyo Honden, Ainoma and Haiden (C17)

The Taiyu-in Reibyo Honden, Ainoma and Haiden was founded in 1653. It has been maintained to this day without alteration except that traces of minor changes are to be noticed in the painting finish ascribed to repair work carried out in the Edo Period. The composition of three chambers in this precinct represents the Gongen-zukuri style, which is basically the same style in which the buildings of Toshogu are arranged. The arrangement of the former is different from the latter in that the Taiyu-in Reibyo Ainoma, the counterpart to the Ishinoma, is on the same level as the Taiyu-in Reibyo Haiden and also in that the Taiyu-in Reibyo Honden has a double-layered roof. It is known that the policy of construction from the earliest stage was to achieve the highest quality decorative workmanship in the engraving, lacquering, painting, and metal fitting work.

The Taiyu-in Reibyo Karamon (C18)
The Taiyu-in Reibyo Karamon has a Chinese style gable on the front entry side. It is an excellent work of carpentry in terms of both structure and decorative design, which are expressed in minutely engraved woven patterns and metal openwork.

The Taiyu-in Reibyo Yashamon (C23)

The Taiyu-in Reibyo Yashamon is a gate with four Chinese style gables, featuring eight supporting columns. Excellent workmanship is fully exercised in the structure and decorative design of the gate, especially in the peony carvings, which are applied consistently as the main motif for decorating this particular gate. Another example of excellent decoration is the pattern of decorative grooves carved on the columns. In addition, red and blue statues of Yaksa (a demonic deity) are enshrined as guardians in small enclosures at both sides of the front of the gate, while white and ultramarine statues of Yaksa are enshrined in enclosures at the back of the gate.

The Taiyu-in Reibyo Kokamon (C32)
The Taiyu-in Reibyo Kokamon is a whitewashed gate with an arched entrance, traditionally associated with the image of the gate to the mythological 'Palace of the Dragon King". Unusual workmanship was exercised in the plastering techniques of the wainscots, whose brilliant whiteness was realized by mixing lead oxide with the pigments.