Karl and I spent a fantastic day in Nikko, an area known for its many shrines, temples, and beautiful landscape. Traveling to Nikko took about 2-3 hours each way and three trains each way. We began our journey on a local train from Shinjuku station to Omiya station. Grabbed breakfast from Becks, a restaurant in Omiya station, and then boarded a Shinkansen from Omiya to Utsunomiya. Our final train took us from Utsunomiya for Nikko.
This is what a typical train platform looks like. Shinjuku Station
Train! Toyko has made a train lover out of me. I could happily spend hours riding trains each day.
Omiya Station
Grabbed some breakfast from Becks before boarding our Shinkansen.
Breakfast! train stations are full of restaurants, convenience stores, and other useful things. Karl purchased a hot ham and cheese; I opted for a very tasty coleslaw dog.
There are many different types of trains. Shinkansen are bullet trains (the really fast ones).
Shinkansen from Omiya to Utsuomiya
Shinkansen green car seats are very nice. built in foot rest, a fold down table, beverage holder, and bag hook.
Our Shinkansen to Nikko. it seems like they usually have two trains attached together that separate when they’ get to more rural areas.
Utsunomiya
I really enjoyed this station and the view of the city. I have a bit of a crush on the mini mini building.
This is what a local train normally looks like.
AnotherGeorgia Coffee beverage. 5/5
mmmm… soft banana flavored bread. 4/5
Sweet bread with crunchy sugar crystals. 3/5
We paid 500 yen each for an all day bus pass but we ended up just riding it to the shrine area . The buses stop running at 4:30, 30 minutes before most of the shrines and temples close. We didn’t want to rush so we opted to walk back through town.
Rinnō-ji (輪王寺?) is a complex of 15 Buddhist temple buildings in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The site was established in the year 766 by the Buddhist monk, Shōdō. Due to its geographic isolation, deep in the mountains of Japan, the site soon attracted other Buddhist monks in search of solitude. – Wikipedia
We are excited to see all the beautiful things.
We got a good bit of practice taking our shoes off when visiting the temple interiors. It was kind of fun. The floors were either a smooth slippery laquer or finely woven tatami mats. If Karl and I ever finish our place I’d love to have a shoes off at the door policy.
Beautiful water feature.
The details are amazing. Look at how intricate it is and it was all made by hand.
An ornate fencing surrounding part of the complex.
Sumptous colors and textures everywhere. If the opportunity ever arises I’d love to come back on a work trip to photograph, paint, and draw inspiration from both the city and natural beauty of Japan.
You’ll see trees carefully wrapped or supported everywhere you go. I really admire the great respect and care the Japanese have for nature. There are workers whose job focuses on the care of public trees and plants.
Futarasan Junia-Mae
Futarasan jinja (二荒山神社?) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is also known as Nikkō Futarasan Shrine, to distinguish it from the shrine in nearby Utsunomiya. Futarasan enshrines three deities: Ōkuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone. – Wikipedia
I am down with the Shinto. Such a beautiful faith.
