EXCURSION TO NIKKO FROM TOKYO (FREE AND ON TOUR)

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In this article we tell our experience in the excursion to Nikko from Tokyo and we also recommend everything you have what to see and do in Nikko.

The Toshogu Shrine in Nikko It was the site chosen by Ieyasu Tokugawa to rest forever, although before him it was a monk who chose this site as a good place to practice his faith.

The great shogun, who unified Japan in 1600 and whose family, shogun after shogun (up to more than 50!) Brought a period of peace of more than 250 years, found in this sanctuary the best location with respect to the capital Edo ( the current Tokyo) where he moved his palace and his family home, further to the southwest. He drew some lines on a map looking for a north point between these two locations to escape the demons and Nikko was the result.

When Ieyasu's grandson became a shogun he decided to carry out a remodeling of this place and turn it into the most dazzling of the Shinto sanctuaries, according to the figure of his grandfather, with whom he shared a close relationship. So he spared no frills, leaving the country's treasure shaking. When you enter this site you realize that you have achieved your purpose ...

Knowing this we could not miss the opportunity of a day visit to Nikko. We did it with the company JTB Sunrise Tours, below we tell you more details.

From the Rinnoji Temple, a little further south, you enter the Toshogu Shrine through a huge stone torii, how could it be otherwise. The first thing that attracts attention is the 5-story pagoda, which is related to the Buddhist religion because they usually house a pinch of the ashes of Buddha. However, in Japan it is not uncommon to find elements of both religions in the same place.

In Japan, 90% of the population believes in Sinto and 80% in Buda with what most people believe in both, performing rites of one or the other during their life according to more "interest." For example, celebrations during a person's life are usually related to Shintoism, to advocate for a happy life, and death rituals are usually done through Buddhism.
Continuing inwards we reachbarn, where a horse truly lives! It is a white foal gift from the New Zealand government. It is possible to see it first thing in the morning. But the important thing about this place are thewood carvings of its capital, with 9 scenes where the life of some is representedmonkeys. The most famous of these is the third one where the 3 cute monkeys appear, each covering their eyes, ears and mouth, symbolizing the correct way to educate and grow as a person.
Just in front of the stable there are several buildings, one of them is, neither more nor less, than abath for the 8 thousand gods that swarm around here. In case at some point they need to shit and they are fed up of doing so in the countryside ... Being an enclosure only intended for them we will have to die and become one to be able to see exactly what luxuries they have and seeing the Japanese baths for the common of mortals I can't even imagine it.
One of the most impressive points of the visit was theYakushido temple, where is the "weeping dragon" (the translation is quite butterfly, really ...). It is the mural of a white dragon on the roof of the temple. In case the drawing has nothing (in fact it is quite badly done) however there is a story behind ... A monk blows two sticks under the dragon's body, without anything strange happening. However, when placed just below the head and blows the sticks again, a tremendous echo takes over the entire room ... that's why it is called the "Crying Dragon". The legend says that only those who have a good and pure heart feel how all their interior vibrates with this sound ... it is not for nothing but they shook me to the ears. Here, as in other places it is not allowed to take photos or videos, you will have to go yourself to experience it.
The Yomeimon doorWith his two guardians, he leads to the top of the sanctuary, where the most important buildings of all are located.
Normally two guardians are placed, one on each side of the door, with two different gestures: the one with the mouth open and the one with the mouth closed. It makes sense: in Sanskrit the first letter of the vocabulary is something like "A" (which is pronounced with the mouth open) and the last is something like an "M" (with the mouth closed). It means that this place is protected against everything that goes from the "A" to the "M", that is, of all the things that exist and for having.

   

Inside of Inner Shrine He recommends making a prayer and a small donation, apparently the 5 yen coins (the gold with the little hole) are the best ...

Prayers in the Shinto shrines are performed as follows. First your donation is deposited (or the bell is touched in other cases), a step is taken back to feel the aura of the place and two bows are made. Subsequently they clap their hands in front of your face also twice and prayer and desire are performed. Then another bow is made and ready. Several people may be praying at the same time that the gods give for that and much more (especially if there is a donation in between).
There is a huge metal bell donated by the Dutch government to the Japanese to promote these commercial relations between countries that both liked (and like). The problem is that they carved the Tokugawa family symbol with a bulk error. The Japanese so as not to endanger these relationships, said nothing and hung the bell as if nothing. Let's see if you realize the error:

Original Tokugawa family symbol

Symbol displayed in the bell donated by the Dutch

Said bell

From here, going through theSakashitamon gate, you reach a path that ascends to theTomb of the great Ieyasu Tokuwaga. There are 208 steps between the forest in a beautiful place. The tomb is guarded by a mogollón tree of years that also receives the prayers of the people very kindly.
We found it without a doubt one of the mostmagic from all over Japan, highly recommended!
The visit was made with an organized tour (hence the amount of information we put in, compared to other items that weren't clueless ...). From here they took us to eat a delicioustypical japanese food in a restaurant Nikko herself, by the way, is tiny little girl!
In the afternoon the weather did not accompany us and the fog was terrible, so we did not fully enjoy the visits to theChuzenji Lake neitherthe Kegon Falls, although they look good (at least the sound of falling water impresses quite a lot).
We arrived in Tokyo ground but with a full heart and vibrating ...
USEFUL INFO
Nikko tour from Tokyo: we did it on tour although of course you can do the visit for free, below we tell you how
A tour with good comments and very good price is this. It includes:

- Visit to Nikko, where the entrance to the Toshogu Shrine complex is included. The visit can be done with the guide (we recommend it) or by free, although you always have some time to wander around the area.

- Japanese style food

- Visit to Lake Chuzenji.

Nikko for free: Nikko is connected to Tokyo through two train companies: the Tobu and the JR:

- Tobu: from Asakusa station to Tobu-Nikko station the train is direct and costs ¥ 1,360. It takes a little less than 2 and a half hours. THE JR Pass is not valid. Tobu offers several passes, the most interesting being the “Two days Nikko Pass”, which includes the round trip from Tokyo, buses around Nikko and trains to the Kinugawa Onsen area, as well as some discounts on tickets and shops. The pass is valid on two consecutive days and costs ¥ 2,670

- JR Limited Express: from the Shinjuku station there is the train “LTD. EXP NIKKO 1 ”that covers the direct route to Tobu-Nikko (uses part of the Tobu network so that the JR Pass holders will have to pay part of the ticket price). It takes 2 hours and costs ¥ 4,000. The bad news is that there is only one per day and it leaves at 07:30 !!

- JR: for the holders of the JR Pass it is best to take the “JR Tohoku Shinkansen” in Tokyo Sta. Or Ueno to Utsanomiya (49 minutes) and there change to the “JR Nikko Line” line, to get to Nikko (46 minutes) The journey takes just over 2 hours and costs ¥ 5,580.

image from www.japan-guide.com
The entrance to the sanctuary Main, the Toshogu Shrine, costs ¥ 1,300.

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Video: Nikko - A Day Trip from Tokyo (March 2024).