After another wonderful dinner at our favorite restaurant, we slept well, but got up quite early on this Saturday morning. You see, the Missus had always wanted to visit Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; known for it's ornate shrines lying within green, woody, hillsides. A combination of nature and a celebration of the glory of the Edo period. It is about this place that Ieyasu Tokugawa is quoted as saying "Build a small shrine in Nikko and enshrine me as the God. I will be the guardian of peace keeping in Japan." In fact; his mausoleum is located in the lavish, opulent, Tōshōgū Shrine.
But first, we needed sustenance. We were given breakfast vouchers for the coffee shop located next to the hotel at street level. It was obviously a 24 hour coffee shop as we noticed quite a few young men who had missed the last train the night before.
We'd been told stories by friends in Japan about missing the last train and having to stay in either a Karaoke room, the local Mickey D's, or coffee shops. Many of which will let you sleep so long you purchase something.
Breakfast was simple, but enough for us.
Having JR Passes, we caught the train from Yotsuya to Tokyo Station, then the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, where we changed to the JR Nikko line. It took about 2 hours overall, but as is typical for train travel in Japan, the trip was seamless.
Of course, part of the fun was people watching, as folks have their own unique way of expressing themselves in Japan.
And, one must not forget the entertaining signs….the messages are pretty loud and clear, regardless of the language.
We had a 30 minute layover in Utsunomiya, where we did some shopping and bought a few gifts.
Then it was the 49 minute train ride to Nikko.
It would be drizzly and overcast during our entire time in Nikko, and yet, it just seemed to add a certain "air" to things.
We'd been sitting on various trains getting to Nikko, so of course the Missus decided that instead of taking the bus ride up to the temple area; we should walk. I was in total agreement since there was much to see along the way.
As you approach the temple area there are more and more shops. I thought this phone booth was quite interesting.
Just a block away is the iconic Shinkyo Bridge.
Which you see in thousand of photographs. It is indeed beautiful.
It is said that this is the spot where the monk Shodo Shonin, who was one of the founders of Nikko was carried across the river on the backs of two serpents.
Right across the street is the entrance to Nikko's shrines and temples.
Up the stairs bordered by moss covered stones you'll run into a statue of Shodo Shonin himself.
Along the way you'll pass walls that are covered with moss…….that may have been here for hundreds of years. It sure does add "atmosphere"……
I think I'll stop for now…..more to come in the next post……
Here's one last look at the Shinkyo Bridge.
Thanks for dropping by!