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Nikko Images 17 images Created 24 Mar 2009

Nikko is most famous for Toshogu Shrine, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine complex and mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu of the Tokugawa shogunate. Unlike most Japanes shrines, the buildings here are gaudy and ornate, with multicolored carvings and plenty of gold leaf. Though designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a very popular destination for both Japanese and foreign visitors, many Japanese consider the flamboyant decorations to be too flashy.
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  • Shinkyo Bridge -  When Monk Shoto came to Nikko in order to civilize the mountains he could not cross over the Daiya river. Jinjaou, the God of Snakes,  appeared from the cloud when Shoto burned a holy fire to ask help. The Jinjaou threw two snakes and these transformed themselves into the bridge. Shinkyo Bridge was lacquered vermilion in  1636 but the bridge was washed away by a flood in 1902, and was rebuilt in 1904.
    shinkyo-bridge-1.jpg
  • Gate to Futarasan Shrine, Nikkos' second most elaborate shrine after Toshugu, though both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
    futarasan.jpg
  • Rinnoji Temple's Shoyo-en Garden in Nikko. The garden was made in the early Edo period originally but revised in the beginning of the 19th century. A Confucian scholar, Issai Sato gave the garden its name. The temple's main building, which enshrines successive members of the Imperial family.
    shoyo-en-13.jpg
  • Small group of Japanese visitors with umbrellas at Nishi Sando path to  Toshogu Shrine.
    nishi-sando-01.jpg
  • Yomeimon Gate at Toshugu Shrine - Toshogu Shrines are found throughout Japan though the most famous is located in Nikko. It is one of Japan's most popular destinations for tourists. Five structures at Nikko are categorized as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties.  The stable of the shrine's sacred horses bears a carving of the three wise monkeys, who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Chinese and Japanese culture.  Ieyasu's son, the second shogun Hidetada, ordered the construction of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Later, the third shogun Iemitsu had the shrine enlarged and lavishly decorated.
    yomeimon-nikko-2.jpg
  • Lake Chuzenji  is a scenic lake in Nikko National Park.  It was created 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the Yukawa River- the principal source of water which drains through the  nearby Kegon Falls.
    lake-chuzenji-1.jpg
  • Drying Persimmons, haning and suspended in the sun, the Japanese way of curing fruit and vegetables.
    persimmons-1.jpg
  • JR Nikko Station is the oldest wooden building in JR East. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this building, who also designed the former Imperial Hotel, which also was built with the Oya stone. Nikko Station is well known as a model of Meiji period architecture.
    JR-nikko-station-3.jpg
  • The stable of the shrine's sacred horses bears a carving of the three wise monkeys, who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Chinese and Japanese culture.<br />
Ieyasu's son, the second shogun Hidetada, ordered the construction of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Later, the third shogun Iemitsu had the shrine enlarged and lavishly decorated.
    wise-monkeys.jpg
  • Tobu Railways, "Spacia" trains have been designed for a smooth, and comfortable ride. Luxurious private compartments are also available for groups.  Tobu Spacia is the most popular method of transport to Nikko, one of Japan's most popular UNESCO World Heritqge Sites.
    tobu-spacia-2.jpg
  • Ninjas were warriors specially trained in a variety of unorthodox battle techniques.  Ninja first appeared in 14th century Japan and remained active from the Kamakura to the Edo period.  The role of the ninja included sabotage, espionage, scouting and assassination as a method of destabilization in the service of a feudal lord  or shogun.
    ninja-show-1.jpg
  • Alternatively called Bake-jizo, Narabi-jizo (Jizos in a line) or Hyaku-jizo (100-Jizo), a group of mysteriously aligned Jizo patiently sit along the Daiya River and Jiunji Temple. "Jizo" images and statues are popular in Japan as Bodhisattva who console beings awaiting rebirth and travelers. As such they are often found along roadsides, paths or even street corners. There is a group of about 70 Jizos along the Bake Jizo Trail in Nikko. At one time there were 100 jizos along this trail. However, some of those were washed away by flooding in 1902. Alternatively called Bake-jizo, Narabi-jizo (Jizos in a line) or Hyaku-jizo (100-Jizo), a group of mysteriously aligned Jizo patiently sit along the Daiya River and Jiunji Temple
    jizo-1.jpg
  • Toshogu Shrine is one of Japan's most popular destinations for tourists. Five structures at Nikko are categorized as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties.  The second shogun Hidetada ordered the construction of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Later, the third shogun Iemitsu had the shrine enlarged and lavishly decorated.  Yomeimon Gate is the highlight of the shrine, far more lavishly decorative than the usual austere shrines in Japan.
    yomeimon-nikko-3.jpg
  • Bamboo Tsukubai - Water is considered purifying in Japan, thus the emphasis on cleanliness in everyday life.  It is also a comfort to hear tsukubai trickling water to soothe the nerves as well.
    tsukubai-17.jpg
  • Wish Papers, Omikuji - Omikuji or paper wishes, are a method used for divining personal fortunes by drawing straws from a cylinder and then receiving a printed fortune or corresponding to a cypher printed on the stick. This is the type of omikuji found most commonly today at shrines.
    omikuji-1.jpg
  • Japanese service quality is light years ahead of the rest of the world. Almost everybody who visits Japan raves about it.  The Japanese style of service quality comes very much from their culture and upbringing. From young, kids in Japan were taught religiously - at home or in school - to observe being respectful to their elders and to think of others before themselves.  Delightful service encounters in Japan are fairly universal. You can get it not only in five star hotels, but also in the little family restaurants tucked away in the allies.
    japanese-server-01.jpg
  • Torii at Lake Chuzenji a scenic lake in Nikko National Park was created 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the Yukawa River which is the principal source of water locally, draning through the nearby Kegon Falls.
    lake-chuzenji-3.jpg