"How can I get to Chuzenji Temple from here?"
"???"
I got confused by the puzzlement of a hotel staff for my question, because
the hotel name was Chuzenji Kanaya.
I understood the reason. They know this temple quite well by the name of
"Tachiki Kannon Temple" rather than Chuenji Temple.
The temple was not near the hotel. 15 munites by bus, near Kegon Falls. |
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In the morning, we got on the Tobu Bus, looked around the lakeshore over
the window, and got off at The Entrance to Kegon Falls in front of Nikko
Natural Science Museum.
It began raining and seemingly would continue all day long. Emiko brought
her umbrella, but we decided to get under cover at the museum.
Luckily there were umbrellas to lent in the museum. The staff advised me,
saying, "It will be OK for you to return it at Nikko Station." |
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After stayed in the museum for a while, we walked to Kegon Falls, holding
an umbrella.
The following pictures are just about all of the day. |
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| Nikko Natural Science Museum |
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| Kegon Falls |
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| Chuzenji Temple (Tachiki-Kannon Temple) |
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Originally it was founded in 784 by Shodo-shonin at the foot of Mt. Nantai,
and later moved to the sacred place of Utaga-hama.
The object of worship of this temple is the image Tachiki Kannon. It is
a standing Judas-tree carved into an image of Kannon by Shodo-shonin, when
he climbed up Mt. Nantai, and in realization of his long cherished desire,
saw a manifestation of Kannon reflected on the lake. Hence it is called
the standing tree (Tachiki) Kannon. The statue, 6 meters high.
Such buildings as Kannon-do and a treasure-house are located in the precincts.
So many people visit this temple as a center of worship.
Utaga-hama beach has the following legend.
When Shodo-shonin founded this temple in ancient times, an angel descended
from heaven to sing and dance. The name of the beach -Singing Beach- is
derived from this anecdote. |
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Kokanee Salmon Dish for lunch
at Masuya Restaurant by Chuzenji Lake |
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| Other Pictures on the 2nd day |
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| Finally, I would like to reprint a certain passage related to Nikko from
my travel essay of the tour around Four Countries of Central Europe this
October. It came out to me at Ljubljana, Slovenia. |
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"I went to Nikko."
"Where in Nikko?"
"Surely Toshogu Shrine!"
"I thought so, too."
That's a common conversation among us.
However, Toshogu is not the only spot to visit in Nikko.
In central Nikko near Tobu Nikko Station, Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple
and Futarasan Shrine.
Up on the Iroha Slope, Chuzenji Lake, Kegon Falls, Akechi Plateau, Chuzenji
Temple.....
Around Oku-Nikko (Deep Nikko), Mt. Nantai, Senjogahara (Battle field),
Mt. Hangetsu, Kirifuri Heights.....
Nikko is a little bit broader to see. |
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