Arriving
in Nikko we found it wet with snow blanketing much of the area. We
had been warned by the hotel receptionist that it would be much colder
in Nikko than Tokyo because of the slight elevation so we dressed
accordingly. Now, our next challenge would be finding the Toshogu
Shrine.
Following the directions in the guide book we set out in what we thought
was the right direction. We walked and walked but no shrine. We covered
the downtown area and ended up on the outskirts of town before we
acknowledged something was wrong and headed back to the center of
town to regain our bearings again. Again, I say, what better way to
get to know a new country than by walking its streets. |
Japanese
garden in Niko |
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Yomei-mon
Gate |
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Nikko's
Toshogu Shrine was built to honor the memory of Ieyasu Tokugawa,
Japan's first Shogun. Tokugawa, born in 1542 during a period of great
civil wars, succeeded in unifying Japan. He is honored for laying
the foundation of peace and culture that would typify modern day Japan.
We would learn later when we visited friends in Osaka that this shrine
is a "must see" for the Japanese.
In all there are 55 main structures on the grounds at Toshogu Shrine
and it covers 80,000 sq. meters. The buildings are elaborately decorated
and painted with intricate carvings common throughout. Many of structures
have been designated as a Japanese National Treasure or Important
Cultural Property. |
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Statue
of Ni-o carved by Hogan
Koon in the beginning of the
Tokugawa Dynasty |
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Belfry
and Drum Tower |
Karamon
Gate |
A
5-story pagoda |
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Snow
dripping off the roof |
Small
steps, a warning of what
was to come |
Anne
with a lion statue |
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Many
Japanese were making their pilgrimage to the national Shrine |
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Hear,
speak and see no evil
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The
sleeping cat
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The
Toshogu Shrine is the home of several very famous sculptures which
have been designated as national shrines themselves
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Ieyasu,
Japan's first shogun, was buried on the grounds at Toshogu Shrine.
To reach his tomb you had to climb a large stairway with 207 steps
to reach the top of a hill.
After
spending several hours within the Toshogu Shrine enjoying the many
beautiful treasures there we were feeling cold and damp. We wanted
desperately to find some place to sit down and warm up before continuing
our journey. Passing through one of the gates we noticed several
buildings, a restaurant and a gift shop. We proceeded into the restaurant
where we enjoyed some hot Japanese green tea. The server prepared
our tea at the table and it was quite impressive to watch the ceremony
that she followed in preparing the tea. The English are known for
their tea, but the Japanese are most certainly known for their ceremony
in preparing tea. We enjoyed the tea and the warmth very much.
Having
warmed ourselves we were now ready to brave the damp cold air for
the walk back to the train station.
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Anne
on her way down the
stairway from the tomb |
Sacred
Tower where the remains of Ieyasu Tokugawa are buried |
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Leaving
the Toshogu Shrine and heading back to the train station we came
across Shinkyo, the Sacred Bridge. The bridge was built in 1636
for the exclusive use, for over three hundred years, of the Shogun
and his emissaries to cross the Daiyagawa River. Even today the
bridge is blocked by a barrier and is only opened on the occasion
of the Toshogu Shrine Festival.
A
few last pictures of Anne standing by the bridge and we were off
again for the train station. This, our first day of independent
touring in Japan, proved to be an adventurous day, but we made it
despite the language barrier.
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Now
it's time to board the bullet train for our trip to Osaka and Kyoto.
Join us there on the next page ... |
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