hmccaw's Photobucket Nikko album media

Bakejizos

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:52 MST

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Bakejizos - PB230609.jpg

Adventerous Yvo

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:48 MST

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Adventerous Yvo - PB230606.jpg

A small pavilion erected in the rocky bank.

Rapids

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:41 MST

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Rapids - PB230605.jpg

Daiya River rapids.

Bakejizos

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:37 MST

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Bakejizos - PB230604.jpg

In Japan, Kṣitigarbha, known as Jizō, or Ojizō-sama as he is respectfully known, is one of the most loved of all Japanese divinities. His statues are a common sight, especially by roadsides and in graveyards. Traditionally, he is seen as the guardian of children, particularly children who died before their parents. Since the 1980s, the tendency developed in which he was worshipped as the guardian of the souls of mizuko, the souls of stillborn, miscarried or aborted fetuses. In Japanese mythology, it is said that the souls of children who die before their parents are unable to cross the mythical Sanzu River on their way to the afterlife because they have not had the chance to accumulate enough good deeds and because they have made the parents suffer. It is believed that Jizō saves these souls from having to pile stones eternally on the bank of the river as penance, by hiding them from demons in his robe, and letting them hear mantras.

Bakejizos

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:33 MST

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Bakejizos - PB230602.jpg

Mossy-seated jizo bosatsu, the guardian dieties of children and travelers, line the Daiya River. Their name, Bakejizo (Deceiving Jizo), is based on the myth that no matter how many times one counts, the number of jizos always seems to change.

Rapids

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:28 MST

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Rapids - PB230600.jpg

The rapids ended up being more interesting than the Jizos.

Where we actually meant to go

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:22 MST

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Where we actually meant to go - PB230599.jpg

Route to see the Bakejizos (Decieving Jizos).

Inscription at the front of the temple

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:33:03 MST

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Inscription at the front of the temple - PB230596.jpg

"Miezou de mienai mono wa jibun no tansho to ketsuten de aru" meaning "Things you think you can see but can't are your shortcomings and faults".

Cute dragon

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:58 MST

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Cute dragon - PB230595.jpg

Clean up before you pray!

Jizo

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:55 MST

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Jizo - PB230593.jpg

Traditionally, Jizo is seen as the guardian of children, particularly children who died before their parents. Since the 1980s, the tendency developed in which he was worshiped as the guardian of the souls of mizuko, the souls of stillborn, miscarried or aborted fetuses. In Japanese mythology, it is said that the souls of children who die before their parents are unable to cross the mythical Sanzu River on their way to the afterlife because they have not had the chance to accumulate enough good deeds and because they have made the parents suffer. It is believed that Jizō saves these souls from having to pile stones eternally on the bank of the river as penance, by hiding them from demons in his robe, and letting them hear mantras. Jizō statues are usually accompanied by a little pile of stones and pebbles, put there by people in the hope that it would shorten the time children have to suffer in the underworld (the act is derived from the tradition of building stupas as an act of merit-making) . The statues can sometimes be seen wearing tiny children's clothing or bibs, or with toys, put there by grieving parents to help their lost ones and hoping that Jizō would specially protect them. Sometimes the offerings are put there by parents to thank Jizō for saving their children from a serious illness. Jizō's features are also commonly made more babylike in order to resemble the children he protects.

Where we were actually supposed to go.

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:50 MST

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Where we were actually supposed to go. - PB230592.jpg

Graveyard

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:43 MST

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Graveyard - PB230591.jpg

Random Temple

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:38 MST

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Random Temple - PB230590.jpg

Rustic Town

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:32 MST

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Rustic Town - PB230589.jpg

Group Tours!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:26 MST

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Group Tours! - PB230588.jpg

Friday, as a national holiday, brought all the seniors and bus tours out in full force.

Observing the Wildlife

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:22 MST

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Observing the Wildlife - PB230587.jpg

Lost Toursits?

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:16 MST

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Lost Toursits? - PB230586.jpg

These 2 ladies couldn't figure out where they were going.

Bad Idea

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:10 MST

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Bad Idea - PB230585.jpg

That was more sour than I expected.

Lemony Zaru-Soba

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:05 MST

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Lemony Zaru-Soba - PB230584.jpg

Getting my vitamin C for the day from the lemon juice on my soba.

What is Yuba?

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:32:01 MST

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What is Yuba? - PB230583.jpg

The local cuisine is Yuba. It's like milk skin: disgusting.

Chuzenji Lake

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:56 MST

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Chuzenji Lake - PB230581.jpg

Torii in Town

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:50 MST

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Torii in Town - PB230580.jpg

This is just a random Torii, no temple around here.

Does someone live down there?

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:43 MST

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Does someone live down there? - PB220578.jpg

View in the distance

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:36 MST

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View in the distance - PB220577.jpg

Wicked

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:32 MST

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Wicked - PB220576.jpg

Kegon Falls

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:25 MST

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Kegon Falls - PB220574.jpg

Apparently, the Kegon Falls are infamous for suicides, especially among Japanese youth.

Kegon Falls

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:21 MST

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Kegon Falls - PB220573.jpg

At 97 metres high, it is one of Japan's three highest waterfalls. Extremely beautiful at any time of the year, it is spectacular in the autumn. The traffic on the road from Nikko to Chuzenji can sometimes slow to a crawl as visitors come to see the fall colors.

Chuzenji Lake from the bus

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:14 MST

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Chuzenji Lake from the bus - PB220572.jpg

Chuzenji Lake

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:07 MST

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Chuzenji Lake - PB220571.jpg

It was created 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted and blocked the river

It's only 11am

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:03 MST

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It's only 11am - PB220570.jpg

If the Japanese can do it, so can we.

Boozers!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:31:00 MST

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Boozers! - PB220569.jpg

Left over drinks from the night before to warm us up.

Pre-Refridgeration

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:53 MST

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Pre-Refridgeration - PB220568.jpg

Chilling our Chu-his in the snow.

How Canadian

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:50 MST

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How Canadian - PB220567.jpg

Don't try this at home, kids.

Signage

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:36 MST

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Signage - PB220565.jpg

Can you tell we're freezing?

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:29 MST

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Can you tell we're freezing? - PB220564.jpg

Yutaki Falls

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:23 MST

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Yutaki Falls - PB220563.jpg

Yudaki

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:18 MST

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Yudaki - PB220558.jpg

Self-Portrait Mode

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:14 MST

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Self-Portrait Mode - PB220562.jpg

Me and the Falls, kind of.

Nature at Yutaki Falls

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:30:10 MST

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Nature at Yutaki Falls - PB220561.jpg

The bottom of the Falls.

Yudaki

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:51 MST

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Yudaki - PB220557.jpg

Yudaki Falls

Pretty!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:46 MST

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Pretty! - PB220556.jpg

Small creek running off the falls.

Off to the waterfalls

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:40 MST

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Off to the waterfalls - PB220555.jpg

Yudaki Viewing Platform -->

Trudge

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:37 MST

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Trudge - PB220554.jpg

Looking for Yudaki Falls.

Snowball fight!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:33 MST

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Snowball fight! - PB220553.jpg

Setting out Day 2

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:27 MST

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Setting out Day 2 - PB220552.jpg

Hotel garden

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:20 MST

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Hotel garden - PB220551.jpg

Hotel View

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:14 MST

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Hotel View - PB220550.jpg

Hotel View

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:09 MST

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Hotel View - PB220549.jpg

Making the game plan

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:04 MST

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Making the game plan - PB220548.jpg

Balcony?

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:29:01 MST

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Balcony? - PB220547.jpg

The smoking room, I think. Colder than the inside room.

Hotel Room

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:55 MST

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Hotel Room - PB220546.jpg

Tatami room that probably sleeps 6 people.

Don't know what this is, but it's oishii.

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:51 MST

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Don't know what this is, but it's oishii. - PB220532.jpg

Whatever it was, we used it as marinade for the chicken and it was yum.

Hot pot dinner

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:45 MST

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Hot pot dinner - PB220531.jpg

Our dinner spread!

HOLY CRAP!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:39 MST

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HOLY CRAP! - PB220530.jpg

Snow storm in Yumoto where we were staying.

Yakitori

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:36 MST

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Yakitori - PB220529.jpg

The house specialty.

YAY~

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:29 MST

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YAY~ - PB220528.jpg

People from all over the world have left memorabilia for the owners. Even a Canadian 5$ bill on the ceiling!

With Engrish

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:24 MST

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With Engrish - PB220526.jpg

Orange Juice

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:20 MST

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Orange Juice - PB220525.jpg

At Hippari Dako - Cannonized in Lonely Planet.

Nikko's hockey team!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:14 MST

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Nikko's hockey team! - PB220524.jpg

I thought this was a heinous Engrish error (Bucks vs. Pucks) but then I realized that's the name of the team.

Phone Booth

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:10 MST

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Phone Booth - PB220523.jpg

But the phone doesn't even work.

Random Phonebooth

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:28:06 MST

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Random Phonebooth - PB220522.jpg

Someone found an old cable car and made a phone booth out of it.

Shinkyo

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:57 MST

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Shinkyo - PB220520.jpg

Cold Shinkyo

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:52 MST

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Cold Shinkyo - PB220519.jpg

Freezing our butts off.

Shinkyo

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:47 MST

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Shinkyo - PB220518.jpg

An 8-year repair work program was completed in March 2005 and the bridge is now open to the public again. The arch-shaped bridge covered in vermillion lacquer supported by stone piers is most attractive in the fall when the mountain trees are a dazzling red and yellow.

Shinkyo

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:42 MST

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Shinkyo - PB220517.jpg

he "Shinkyo Bridge" acts as a gateway to the shrines and temples of Nikko and is one of the three most unusual bridges in Japan. According to legend, when a certain saint tried to cross the rapids of the Daiyagawa River, two snakes formed a bridge for him to walk across.

Daiyagawa

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:37 MST

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Daiyagawa - PB220515.jpg

The gorge under the bridge.

Nikko National Park

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:32 MST

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Nikko National Park - PB220514.jpg

If you were really fit, you could take the stairs here all the way up the hill to the temples. No thanks.

Shinkyo and Road

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:27 MST

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Shinkyo and Road - PB220513.jpg

You have to pay to go on Shinkyo, and you just get to walk around and turn back. Not worth 350 yen.

Daiyagawa

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:27:17 MST

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Daiyagawa - PB220511.jpg

Daiyagawa

Snow in Kinugawa

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:30 MST

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Snow in Kinugawa - PB210416.jpg

One of the bigger hot spring resorts is at Kinugawa, which means "Angry Demon River".

Shimo-Imaichi - Where we were supposed to switch trains.

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:29 MST

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Shimo-Imaichi - Where we were supposed to switch trains. - PB210415.jpg

Shimo-Imaichi in Tochigi-ken - Where we were supposed to switch trains.

It never ends

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:26 MST

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It never ends - PB210412.jpg

Tochigi-ken

Random mountain?

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:25 MST

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Random mountain? - PB210411.jpg

A rather rare sight, a "bald mountain". Maybe

More Inaka

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:24 MST

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More Inaka - PB210410.jpg

Tochigi Prefecture, home to the world-famous Nikko and several onsen resorts.

Boozing in the AM

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:23 MST

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Boozing in the AM - PB210409.jpg

People like to drink in this country. It's not unusual to see the salarymen on the trains with a can of beer, but this couple are hitting the Chu-hi (wine cocktail drink) before 10am.

Inaka 6

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:22 MST

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Inaka 6 - PB210408.jpg

Hardcore countryside. I think we're in Gunma Prefecture now. Historically, present-day Gunma was a center of the horse-breeding and trading activities when continental peoples and Japanese began a strong trade in the animals.

Inaka 5

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:21 MST

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Inaka 5 - PB210407.jpg

It gets sparser and sparser...

Inaka 4

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:20 MST

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Inaka 4 - PB210406.jpg

Saitama-ken

Inaka 3

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:19 MST

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Inaka 3 - PB210405.jpg

Saitama-ken

Inaka 2

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:18 MST

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Inaka 2 - PB210404.jpg

Saitama-ken

Inaka 1

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:17 MST

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Inaka 1 - PB210403.jpg

Inaka means "countryside" in Japanese.

Caught!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:16 MST

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Caught! - PB210402.jpg

Reading

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:15 MST

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Reading - PB210400.jpg

City 2

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:14 MST

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City 2 - PB210399.jpg

Somewhere in Saitama

On the train

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:13 MST

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On the train - PB210398.jpg

It's like a school trip or something.

City

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:12 MST

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City - PB210397.jpg

Saitama Prefecture, historically a fertile agricultural region north of Tokyo.

Outset

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:11 MST

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Outset - PB210396.jpg

Getting ready for our trip to Nikko! 2 hours, 140km, north of Tokyo.

Garden

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:08 MST

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Garden - PB220438.jpg

Probably not the famous garden but nice anyway.

Incense to Clense

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:07 MST

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Incense to Clense - PB220437.jpg

Similar to the one I saw in Asakusa, you can buy a bunch of incense to make an offering. The smoke is supposed to cleanse you and help you improve parts of yourself.

Rinno-ji

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:06 MST

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Rinno-ji - PB220436.jpg

Apparently, its undergoing restoration til 2009. What a downer. Known for its three large Buddha figures, the real reason to visit is the beautiful and peaceful Shōyō-en Garden, but that was more money so we didn't see it.

Rinno-ji Temple grounds

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:05 MST

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Rinno-ji Temple grounds - PB220435.jpg

A bell off in the distance beside the main hall. The kanji on the pillar is kokoro, meaning "heart".

Praying!

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:04 MST

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Praying! - PB220434.jpg

There is no "set way" to pray, so I've heard.

Beating the Crowds

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:03 MST

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Beating the Crowds - PB220433.jpg

We came up the day before a national holiday so we didn't have to fight with too many people.

Road to the temples

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:02 MST

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Road to the temples - PB220432.jpg

The weather held nice for us while we were visiting the temples. Lightly snowing but not too cold.

Off to the Temples

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:01 MST

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Off to the Temples - PB220431.jpg

For Y1000, you can get a combination ticket to all 5 temple complexes located in Nikko.

Episcopal Church

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:21:00 MST

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Episcopal Church - PB220430.jpg

Not sure what historical significance this has, but it was pretty.

Tobu-Nikko Station

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:20:57 MST

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Tobu-Nikko Station - PB210426.jpg

Arrived in Nikko

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:20:56 MST

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Arrived in Nikko - PB210425.jpg

Nikko, meaning "sunlight", is 538m above sea-level, home to numerous shrines and temples. As of 2006, the population was 93,568.

Hot Tea

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:20:55 MST

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Hot Tea - PB210424.jpg

Or tea if you prefer. You can even get canned corn soup.

Hot Coffee

hmccaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:20:54 MST

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Hot Coffee - PB210423.jpg

Warm up with a hot vending machine brew~ Vending machines are everywhere in this country selling things from cigarettes, hot and cold drinks, alcohol, even condoms!