Nikko Things to Do

4 more images

Everywhere that you look in Nikko is beautiful, but it is when you look more closely that you discover the details. There are carvings covering just about everything...the work is so intricate and endlessly fascinating!

1 more image

The sacred stable is in Tosho-gu Shrine. The stable itself is a plain building, especially compared to all the lavishly painted buildings all around it. The only color to it is in the carving of the three wise monkeys above the door.

At the Toshugu shrine, there are many intricate painted wood engraving in this impresive mausoleum of the Tokugawa Ieyasu Shogun who died in 1616.

My all time favorite carving would be that of the Three Wise Monkeys.
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

Other cravings included many creatures, animals and birds of heavy Chinese mythological influence.

Another popular one is the sleepy cat "Nemuri Neko" watchful over one of the doorway to the many temples and shrines in this worship complex.

This shrine is dedicated to the Tokugawa Ieyasu - founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Built around 1617, the architecture style of this imperial shrine is definitely "baroque-like" - intricate yet flamboyant in style.

This shrine is very popular with Japanese tourists who must have their pictures taken with the background. So it is difficult to get a picture of the shrine without someone in the picture.

The solemn atmosphere of the location in the midst of wooded hill slopes was broken by noisy school children and tour guides. Yet this shrine is one of the most enchanting I have seen in Japan. Nikko definitely live up to its name as of the most popular destinations in Japan.

Do take the cable car ride at Akechidaira Ropeway, on the way up to the Lake Chuzenji. It brings up to a platform which provides a great view of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Our pictures taken there were perfect.

1 more image

The huge stone torii at the entrance to Toshogu Shrine is one of the top three in Japan. It was built in 1618. Giant Japanese cypress were planted along both sides of the walkway. In fact, there are so many of them around the shrine. They have been around for hundreds of years.

As you can see how small the persons in the photo are compare to the torii and the trees.

Right after passing the giant torii, the bright red five-storey pagoda is on the left. It was originally built in 1650, rebuilt again in 1818 after a fire. The pagoda is slightly taller than the cypress tree lines.

The doors to the interior were locked. I am not sure what the inside looks like.

Quite a fun theme park recreating Edo era Japan with buildings and costumed guides and several shows. Kids will love the Ninja show and the Hell Temple haunted house (not scary). I loved the Water Magic show.

Probably the most famous wooden monkeys in Japan, and the most well-known attraction in Nikko. The lively wood carvings are located on the outside wall of the staple close to Omotemon Gate in the Toshogu Shrine complex.

There are 8 panels altogether, and the most famous one is the "See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil", a Buddhist teaching which means we won't be evil if we don't see, speak, or hear evil.