Stone steps on the approach to the Okusha, Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

日光東照宮本殿東回廊にある有名な彫刻｢眠り猫｣の下をくぐり､坂下門を抜けるとこの長く勾配の急な石段の参道に出る｡石段を上ると杉木立に囲まれて徳川家康の墓所である奥社がある｡石段の個々の踏み石は重い1枚石で作られている｡画面の上方に奥社が見える｡Visitors reach these steps after passing under the famous "Nemurineko" (sleeping cat) carving in the east corridor of the main hall at Nikko Toshogu and going through Sakashita Gate. At the top the stairs is the "Okusha" (inner shrine) containing the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Each step is made from a solid slab of stone. The Okusha is visible in the upper part of the photograph