Marukyo Nikko

... me 2-3 hours and so I was able to catch a train at 3:30. Arrived at Matsumoto around 7:30. Realized that the ryokan was going to be a bit far to pull a suitcase, I thought I'd catch a bus (as the website recommended, "just a short ride on Bus #2". Hmm. There is no "Bus #2". There was a "Bay #2" and the next bus was 50 minutes away. I'm sweaty and tired. Screw it, I'm taking a cab. Good ...

...oder wir zu ihm. <br><br>Tja, jeder, der eines Tages vor hat, Japan zu erkunden, der kann getrost einen grossen Bogen um Nikko machen, ausser man steht auf Pensionistenstadt und absolut totes Nachtleben. Eins muss man dem kleinen Oertchen lassen, es gibt echt schoene, gruene Waelder, Berge und einen sehr netten Fluss. Dort haben wir auch ein schoenes Plaetzchen zum Zeit totschlagen gefunden, weil`s ja sonst nichts gibt.<br><br>Wir haben uns ...

... and scallop), beef, tempura and some unknowns that tasted great. Washed down with a big, cold Asahi beer!<br><br>Then, bath time. Wow. First time in a Japanese bath. Private, not a sento, but hot enough to peel paint and just the thing for sore muscles. The whole Japanese process where you shower/rinse first, then get in the tub to soak.<br>

Nun, gestern haben wir schweren Herzens mein geliebtes Tokyo hinter uns gelassen und haben unsere erste Shinkansenfahrt gen Nikko angetreten. <br>Es gab ein paar Zeitprobleme, allerdings fahren diese Zuege so ca. alle 20 min, darum war das dann auch nicht wirklich ein Problem. Allerdings kamen wir genau wie vorhergesagt, jedoch nicht wie geplant irgendwann nach 6, also dann, als schon finster war, in der menschenleeren Kleinstadt... naja, im Vergleich zu ...

... was small but charming. The temple could be reached by bus but I just walked to get a better idea of what the town looked like and see some of the shops along the way. Before crossing the street climb the hill up toward the temple I saw a noteworthy red bridge that crossed a beautiful river that flows through the town. I am not sure what the name is but it seems like it is one of the "postcard" type places Nikko is known for. <br><br ...

... It is a part of decoration of the sacred horse stable and the carvings showing the life of monkeys are displayed around the stable. On the opposite side, the most impressive architecture of Nikko, Yomeimon gate stood there. But I remembered that I should see another thing before going through the gate, which was listening to Roaring Dragon in the next hall. Honestly, I didn't know ...

... we got a combined ticket for 1000Y otherwise most temples would have cost 1300Y each. The area has been designated a World Heritage Site. The most important and famous is the Toshogu Shrine, inside the gate is a horse stable with the three wise monkeys carved, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. All the temples were very nice and not very crowded and they were surrounded by moss covered stone walls and fences.

... entrance ticket. <br><br>Our first stop was the Shoyoen garden, which was a typical Japanese garden with carp and little stone bridges over streams. We also looked around the treasury at some pots and paintings before heading on to Sanbutudo, a huge hall with 3 impressive golden Buddhas in it. <br><br>Our next stop was the stunning Toshogu Shrine, a massive complex of ornately carved buildings painted in bright colours and gold. The carvings ...

... Harrison Hot Springs. There were lots of parked Swan boats...too cold to take a ride and paddle paddle paddle with your feet. (I dont like those...you work soo hard and get nowhere). Our next stop was in Nikko where we excited the bus and followed the man with the megaphone. Soon we were at the entrance to Tosho-gu Shrine. I was amazed at the beauty of the buildings and just how many there were. Lots and lots of tourists and I could see why. This is where the monkey (see no evil, speak no ...

... along those lines. I think this type of place is called a ryokan, which is kinda like a guest house, but traditional bed and breakfast. they had simple buddhist meals (which are really beautiful and are supposed to possess every type of taste, color and texture in the food) The meal was more expensive than we'd wanted, so we found some instant ramen (God, i love this stuff) and made it with the hot water heater that was in our room. Let me tell you about the instant ramen.. this is ...