This particular pagoda is called Tosho-gu Goju-no-tou (東照宮五重塔).A detail of the five-story tou (塔, "pagoda") which stands before the entrance to Tosho-gu temple (東照宮). Each story represents an element ― earth, water, fire, wind, and heaven. Japanese pagodas such as this one have a very ingenious construction method which allows them to minimize earthquake vibrations: the building is hollow to allow room for a long central pillar called shinbashira (心柱) which is suspended by chains hanging from the top spire. Unfortunately this is not the original 1650 one: it was rebuilt after a fire in 1818.
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