Emiko, my wife, received from her friend two round-trip tickets of Tobu
Railroad to Nikko Station.
I don't say we have not known about Nikko. Even lately, she visited there
twice with her friends, and for myself in May with members of UFRA (Urayasu
Foreign Residents Association).
However, there is a saying: Don't say "wonderful" until you've
seen Nikko (See Nikko and die).
Thinking "Good to visit Nikko any number of times," I was glad
to go there, making use of a free railway ticket. |
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One-day trip? Surely not. Possible if to have a rough look around Toshogu
Shrine, but too short and a kind of waste of time.
We decided to stay there one night.
Where to stay? There are supposedly all sorts of hotels.
"Since this is some chance, let's stay in a top-rank hotel!",
I reserved Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel, despite Emiko's opposition.
The 1st day was fine. Therefore I can show you how we enjoyed the world
heritage sites in this chapter.
On the 2nd day, regretfully it rained heavily all day. But we had a nice
day in our own way, shown in the next chapter.
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| World Heritage Sites in Central Nikko |
| December 2, 2009 (1st day) |
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The following spots form the Shrines and Temples of Nikko UNESCO World
Heritage Site. In the order of our visiting,
1. Futarasan Shrine
2. Nikko Toshogu
3. Rinno-ji Temple
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| Sacred Bridge |
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| The Sacred Bridge over the Daiya River belongs to the Futarasan Shrine.
This beautiful vermilion lacquered structure is known as one of the three
most beautiful bridges in Japan and is a perfect gateway for Nikko. (Wikipedia) |
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| Futarasan Shrine |
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| The shrine possesses two swords that are a National Treasure of Japan. Additionally, dozens of buildings and cultural artifacts are listed as Important Cultural Assets. |
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| Taiyuin Mausoleum |
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| This is the grave site of Iemitsu, the third Shogun of the Tokugawa family.
In the precincts there are 22 National Treasures and Important Cultural
Assets registered as the UNESCO World Heritage. Also 315 lanterns are impressive. |
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| Nikko Toshogu Shrine |
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| Nikko Toshogu is a Shinto shrine established in 1617 to enshrine Tokugawa
Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Ieyasu was born on
December 26, 1542 in Okazaki Castle in Mikawa (presently Okazaki City,
Aichi Prefecture). After a great deal of hardship from an early age he
succeeded in pacifying the country after a turbulent period of conflict
and established the Tokugawa shogunate system in 1603. His actions brought
order and organization to Japanese society while promoting scholarship
and industry. Ieyasu laid the foundation for over 260 years of peace and
culture during the Edo Period, greatly contributing to the development
of modern Japan. (Official HP of Nikko Toshogu Shrine) |
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| Yomeimon Gate |
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| Upper, "The Three Wise Monkeys" |
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| Five-story Pagoda |
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| Rinnoji Temple |
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| The temple complex was established in the year 766 by the Buddhist monk,
Shodo. Due to its geographic isolation, deep in the mountains of Japan,
the site soon attracted other Buddhist monks in search of solitude. Among
the most famous buildings is the Sanbutsudo or Three Buddha Hall. This
building features gold-leafed statues of Amida, Kannon with a thousand
arms (Senju-Kannon) and Kannon with a horse's head (Bato-Kannon). Next
to the Sanbutsudo Hall there are Shoyo-en Garden and the Treasure House
of Rinnoji. (Wikipedia) |
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| Other Pictures of Central Nikko |
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There is a famous wise saying heard sometimes in a speech. Who said it originally?
I confess my memory was cloudy. It is the maxim by Tokugawa Ieyasu, in the "Lord Ieyasu's Teachings".
As I admired it, I refer to it by the help of English translation of MustLoveJapan.com.
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from Asahi Net |
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The life of human is just like walking long way with heavy baggage. Never rush.
Stay in inconvenient situation all the time, then you will never feel your
circumstance inconvenient. If you have unnecessary desire in your mind,
remember when you have nothing but hard situation.
Patience is the most important for keeping everything safe and longer.
Anger is the enemy. Thinking of victory all the time and never experiencing
to be loser is not only good thing, but also that false ideal will harm
your future.
Be responsible all the time for all things. Never blame other people. Be
less is always better than too much. |
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| Reading: 8' 32" |
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