Day 2 using our JR Kanto Area Pass( now known as JR Tokyo Wide Pass). We decided to go to Nikko, to see the famous Toshogu Shrine. Starting from Tokyo station(or Ueno Station) to Utsunomiya station with Tohoku Shinkansen and transfer to the JR Nikko line. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes for total of 1 way trip including transit time. As both train are by JR company so the whole trip is covered with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass.
" this travel option is only suitable for travelers with JR Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass and JR East Pass as it cost about 5000yen one way. " Other alternative like the Tobu Railways from Asakusa Station or the limited express from Shinjuku Station can be consider by travelers without passes.
Nikko Station
as it's only a day trip for us, we only had time for central Nikko, It's our 1st time here, our priority is the Toshogu shrine
one can take a bus to the shrine but we decided to take it easy and enjoy our walked through the town and find breakfast
Shinkyo Sacred Bridge
we were a little late to see the autumn foliage here
this bridge was built in 1636, and was opened only to Generals and messengers from the imperial court
now everyone can walk across the bridge, just pay 300 yen
just opposite the Shinkyo Sacred Bridge is one of the entrance to the shrines and temples which is in the Nikko National Park
Rinnoji Temple, but it was currently under renovation
but visitor can still go in to visit from another temporary structure that is built covering the temple.
I've never seen anything like this before.
well we didn't go in but i think it cost 400yen/ adult to go in
further in in the Toshogu Shrine
written fortune or Omikuji tied on the tree branches
gate to the Toshogu Shrine
5 stories pagoda, the original 5 stories pagoda was built in 1650, but it was burned down during a fire and was rebuilt in 1818. Legend has it each story represents an element - earth, water, fire, wind and void. in ascending order
entrance fee to the Toshogu Shrines cost 1300yen/ adult
it;s a little pricey compare to other shrines I've visited but it's worth it and the area is quite big
Toshogu Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1617 dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu
the 3 Sacred Warehouse #1
#2
#3
this is also one of Toshogu Shrine 3 most famous carving
sacred stable (Shinkyusha) for the shrine's sacred horses, with carving of the 3 wise monkey. Since ancient times, monkeys have been regarded as guardians of horses
Who hear, speak and see no evil, a traditional symbol in Chinese and Japanese culture
the 1st carving on the far left, tells a story about a mother monkey is looking far into the future of her child, and her child looking up at her,
the 2nd one is the 3 wise monkey, that tells us that children should "hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil",
the 3rd one show that the little monkey has grown up and is about to be independent,
4th he is ambitiously looking up to the sky,
5th he is frustrated in life and desperately looking down the cliff while one of his friend is cheering him up
6th, he is love sick
7th he got married and the newlywed sailing through the rough waves of life together
the last carving shows the wife monkey is an expected mother and return to the 1st scene
the circle of life, aren't we all going through the same thing?
water house, omizuya. Where all shrines and temples has one or two for washing one's hands and mouth before worshiping
this is the Warehouse of the Revolving Shelf, i have no idea what this warehouse keeps
part of the 3 sacred warehouse
this is the Bell tower
and another on on the right is the Drum tower
looking down from the steps of Yomeimon gate, unfortunately the Yomeimon gate is under restoration. I was told that it is one of the most beautiful gates in Japan and it's a national treasure. The gate is called the Gate of the setting sun, covered with over 500 carvings depicting traditional anecdote, children playing, sages and wise men. i only saw a little big of it black paint with golden leaves on the edge
note: restoration has been going on since 2007 and will be till 2024. It's now on the 3rd stage from 2013 to 2019. currently Yomeimon gate and 2 other less important structures are currently being restore
adjacent to the Yomeimon gate the wall is decorated with dazzling carving of different kinds of bird like the peacock, crane....etc, this is one of my favorite part of the shrine
after the Yomeimon gate, on the left is the Sacred Palanquin House
the details and colors are beautifully done
the Sacred Palanquin House, houses the 3 portable shrines used in the Sacred Processions conducted in spring and fall ( May 18 & Oct 17)
and the middle is the Main shrine, also a National Treasure. The main shrine consists if the Main Hall, Stone Chamber and Worship Hall. It is the most important are at Toshogu shrine. Annual festivals and events are conduct here
Karamon Gate
love the dragon carving
the carving depict legendary Chinese Sages, an audience with the emperor and other scenes
really elaborate gate
the main shrine is not allowed to take photo, if the gate itself has such elaborate details you can bet it's even better from the inside
the design does reminds me of the Chinese temples we have back in Malaysia, alot of carvings of dragons, phoenix, angles and gods.
it is said that the Toshogu shrine contains both Shinto and Buddhist elements. It was common for places of worship ti contain elements of both religious until the Meiji Period when Shinto was deliberately separated from Buddhism. Across Japan, Busshist elements were removed from shrines, but at Toshogu the 2 religions were so intermingled that the separation was not carried out completely. well thank god for that! if not i would be looking at a totally different Toshogu Shrine now
Stage of court dance with music
our 1300yen ticket includes the entrance to see the sleeping cat and also the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu
the sleeping cat carving is on the corridor which leads to the tomb
This carving of a car sleeping while surrounded by peonies and bathed in sunlight is also said to be depiction of nikko(sunlight). Despite being asleep, the cat appears to be paying attention to his surroundings.
What do you think?
gate leading to the tomb site which is on top of a hill
it's a quite a few steps up but it's still easy. Elderly people can do it too
up there is also a Treasure tower, i don't know what they keep but obviously it must be priceless treasures
behind the treasure tower is the Tomb of Ieyasu
Urn containing remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Some argued that the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu an entombed in Kunozan Tosho-gu Shrine in the Shizuoka Prefecture, to the south of Tokyo
whether the remains of Tokugawa Ieyasu is here or
the tomb is surrounded in a Cedar trees forest,
i would say it's a very nice and peaceful renting place
we save the best for last, the Honji-do temple aka Crying Dragon.
it is not allowed to take picture inside the temple but somehow, somewhere, someone will always break the rules. Found this pic in google though!
anyway
as one enter the temple a guide will demonstrate clapping between 2 wooden clappers right under and ONLY right under the dragon head(painted on the temple ceiling) an intriguing "roaring" sound is produced
the temple also house the 12 Chinese zodiac animal
and this conclude our visit in Toshogu Shrine. i think we spend almost 2 hours here
just beside Toshogu Shrine is Futarasan Shrine
remember the Shinkyo, Sacred bridge i mention earlier? it belongs to this shrine
the temple also surrounded by tall Japanese cedar trees
entrance fee is just 200yen/ adult
but we didn't visit...i mean who can after seeing the best shrine in the area, right?
slowly we headed back to the town and back to the train station and end our Nikko day trip
I would say a day trip to Nikko is worth it. If only we had more time we can also visit the Lake Chizenji, hot springs, Kirifuri Falls which is exceptionally beautiful during autumn. Hopefully we will be back again someday to complete the visit
i would definitely recommend Nikko for a days trip from Tokyo. if one ever need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo city, this green magical place which transport you to time where Japan was ruled by a shogun is just the remedy you need!
next our last destination with our JR Kanto Pass is Karakuma, another small town not too far away from Tokyo.....stay tune to my next and last entry for my Japan trip
~ Ja ne ~
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