Nikko is probably the most beautiful historic city of Japan (at least those I saw). Unfortunately I have visited with the rain, but had the same nice charm her. From the train station (about 2 hours from Tokyo) takes 15-20 minutes walk (slightly uphill) to reach the area of \u200b\u200bthe temples. The road has a few shops and restaurants (one just after that I will talk). The area of \u200b\u200bthe station seems a bit 'run-down .. as if it were abandoned.
The temples are located about 1 km away in the trees. I did not realize how old and what are not, perhaps many are reconstructed. But they are still very beautiful.
have an architecture truly original and different from other cities like Nara, Kamakura.
If you have a few days, I would not doubt: do not even go to other cities, but Nikko .
Before you go get a wonderful bridge r bone (which we have seen leg wrapped in fog ): The bridge over the river Daiya Shinkyo. You can 'pass over (paying) or to the side and maybe even better because we do photo.
not remember all the names of various temples, but one that leaves you breathless now is the combination of St. Tosho-gu Shrine . I have read Over 15,000 artisans who have painted, lacquered, inlaid, carved for two years to build the complex.
Upon arrival, past the huge granite torii, on the left is a beautiful 5-story pagoda. After a few steps you go through the door Niomon (which has 2 Nio statues: one who utters the first letter of the Sanskrit "ha" and the other pronouncing the last "a") and we are faced a series of buildings and breathtaking. Despite the fog, I was speechless.
left the sacred source to wash their hands, covered with a Chinese-style roof. Just before the barn is the 3 monkeys sacred with see nothing, feel not speak .
One who knows what to expect but they are tiny (see photo). And many religious buildings. We caught a school that ran between the temples, they were funny all lined up and down the stairs ..
Then other steps and you arrive at the port Yomeimon decorated with 12 columns. So rich that it seems our baroque decoration. And in addition there are two sanctuaries. On the right side leads to a "nice" in the woods staircase leading to the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu
(strategist then Shogun, who lived in 1600, he founded the capital Edo, now Tokyo). I I would also not seen the hard work .. To arrive at the tomb
switching from one hall (and pay) to see the sleeping cat: a small painting of a kitten sleeping sacred. I even bought the amulet! But I do not know if it's worth it ..
After this shrine which for me remains the most beautiful in all Japan, we went on a visit to Nikko, to the Taiyuin-byo shrine, the mausoleum of Iemitsu, the grandson of Ieyasu. The location in the woods is wonderful. Again there is a door Niomon (with 2 warriors Nio), and the door with 4 Nitenmon statues of guardians very beautiful (green is the divinity wind, the red of thunder), after which stairs, ladders, stairs, and then .. fountains, towers, gates, shrines .. style between Chinese and Japanese. Partly wooden, partly colored.
Bello. A little 'hard!
Besides the temples at Nikko is possible to take a bus to a pond through a beautiful waterfall, but today they had suspended the service because of bad weather.
To see everything you need quiet time, say 4 or 5 hours. We have not seen them all.
The entrance to these shrines is cheap: 300 or 400 yen to the temple. In comparison to Italian museums is nothing certain at the end of the day .. by 2 conti..
Al ritorno ci siamo fermate a pranzo in un posto delizioso, lungo la strada principale che torna alla stazione (dopo il ponte rosso, rimane quasi subito sulla destra). Ne avevo letto per caso qualche giorno prima su 1 blog e appena entrata - a caso ! - l'ho riconosciuto.
Alle pareti è pieno di bigliettini, foto, fogliolini di tutti i clienti. Ci sono scritte in tutte le lingue del mondo (anche in italiano, pochi). E' talmente fitto che non si vede fuori. Persino fuori ci sono un paio di cartelli in italiano che esaltano la bontà del ristorante.
Comunque abbiamo mangiato benissimo spendendo poco: 1920 yen (meno di 14 euro in due) per ravioli al vapore (5), Tsukune (5 pieces each), huge onigiri rice (2), green tea and water at will. The Tsukune (chicken meatballs made a small skewer) were excellent. Says the waitress that was their specialty. We tried to take them back elsewhere, but there was no comparison.
The temples are located about 1 km away in the trees. I did not realize how old and what are not, perhaps many are reconstructed. But they are still very beautiful.
have an architecture truly original and different from other cities like Nara, Kamakura.
If you have a few days, I would not doubt: do not even go to other cities, but Nikko .
Before you go get a wonderful bridge r bone (which we have seen leg wrapped in fog ): The bridge over the river Daiya Shinkyo. You can 'pass over (paying) or to the side and maybe even better because we do photo. not remember all the names of various temples, but one that leaves you breathless now is the combination of St. Tosho-gu Shrine . I have read Over 15,000 artisans who have painted, lacquered, inlaid, carved for two years to build the complex.
Upon arrival, past the huge granite torii, on the left is a beautiful 5-story pagoda. After a few steps you go through the door Niomon (which has 2 Nio statues: one who utters the first letter of the Sanskrit "ha" and the other pronouncing the last "a") and we are faced a series of buildings and breathtaking. Despite the fog, I was speechless. left the sacred source to wash their hands, covered with a Chinese-style roof. Just before the barn is the 3 monkeys sacred with see nothing, feel not speak .
One who knows what to expect but they are tiny (see photo). And many religious buildings. We caught a school that ran between the temples, they were funny all lined up and down the stairs .. Then other steps and you arrive at the port Yomeimon decorated with 12 columns. So rich that it seems our baroque decoration. And in addition there are two sanctuaries. On the right side leads to a "nice" in the woods staircase leading to the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu
(strategist then Shogun, who lived in 1600, he founded the capital Edo, now Tokyo). I I would also not seen the hard work .. To arrive at the tomb switching from one hall (and pay) to see the sleeping cat: a small painting of a kitten sleeping sacred. I even bought the amulet! But I do not know if it's worth it ..
After this shrine which for me remains the most beautiful in all Japan, we went on a visit to Nikko, to the Taiyuin-byo shrine, the mausoleum of Iemitsu, the grandson of Ieyasu. The location in the woods is wonderful. Again there is a door Niomon (with 2 warriors Nio), and the door with 4 Nitenmon statues of guardians very beautiful (green is the divinity wind, the red of thunder), after which stairs, ladders, stairs, and then .. fountains, towers, gates, shrines .. style between Chinese and Japanese. Partly wooden, partly colored. Bello. A little 'hard!
Besides the temples at Nikko is possible to take a bus to a pond through a beautiful waterfall, but today they had suspended the service because of bad weather.
To see everything you need quiet time, say 4 or 5 hours. We have not seen them all. Al ritorno ci siamo fermate a pranzo in un posto delizioso, lungo la strada principale che torna alla stazione (dopo il ponte rosso, rimane quasi subito sulla destra). Ne avevo letto per caso qualche giorno prima su 1 blog e appena entrata - a caso ! - l'ho riconosciuto.
Alle pareti è pieno di bigliettini, foto, fogliolini di tutti i clienti. Ci sono scritte in tutte le lingue del mondo (anche in italiano, pochi). E' talmente fitto che non si vede fuori. Persino fuori ci sono un paio di cartelli in italiano che esaltano la bontà del ristorante.
Comunque abbiamo mangiato benissimo spendendo poco: 1920 yen (meno di 14 euro in due) per ravioli al vapore (5), Tsukune (5 pieces each), huge onigiri rice (2), green tea and water at will. The Tsukune (chicken meatballs made a small skewer) were excellent. Says the waitress that was their specialty. We tried to take them back elsewhere, but there was no comparison. 
