Nikko

One of the top tourist areas in Japan is Nikko.  As it is only a little over an hour away from our home, we made the trip on Sunday.  Nikko's attraction is the elaborately decorated shrines and temples in the town that are uncommon in other areas of Japan.  As always, the highlights...

Shinkyo Bridge

This bridge marks the entrance into Nikko's shrines and temples.  The beautiful environment is one of the reasons we enjoyed Nikko.  I see some hiking excursions in our future.

Toshogu Shrine

This shrine is a mausoleum for the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan until 1868.  There are several famous carvings in the shrine complex including the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkeys.  It was this carving that made the wise monkeys popular.

There is also a carving of an elephant that was made by an artist that had never actually seen an elephant but had one described to him.  The ears are all wrong, it has funky toes, and the hide has fur.  Not sure I would have done any better.

Shoyoen Garden

Everyone says that fall is the best time to visit Nikko due to the changing of the leaves.  We seemed to be a week or two early so we have plans to return.  Drew took a ton of pictures trying to get ideas for creating his own small garden when we move home.  If it turns out anything like this place, I'll approve.

Taiyuinbyo

This is a mausoleum for the third Tokugawa shogun.  There were a variety of really interesting statues in the entryways.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of construction going on in Nikko so some of the other sites were covered.  We've already scoped out a botanical garden, gorge, and an imperial villa that are must sees for next time.