My train trip through Japan part 3/?
First actual traintrip of my vacation in Japan! I took the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Utsunomiya and there I caught the local train to Nikko, a sacred sanctuary from the Edo period (1600-1868).
Gojunoto (Five Storey Pagoda) at Tosho-gu in Nikko.
Day 4: Traintrip to Nikko [Wednesday, October 9]
Took the subway to Ueno station and got on the Shinkansen there:)
Arrived in Nikko about two hours later. I decided against taking the bus and walked through town to World heritage Site Tosho-gu.
Got a little confused by my map, but found someone to walk along with for a bit. They were on their way to Rinno-ji; you can see the roof of that temple through the trees here. I only stopped to check if I was on the right way again and continued my way to Tosho-gu.
This stone torii (entrance gate) on top of the Omotesando steps is called Ishi-dorii.
Love the moss on these ancient stone lanterns.
Close up of the Gojunoto Five Storey Pagoda.
In the first courtyard are the Sanjinko (Three Sacred Storehouses) all with very cool carving details.
Elephants on the Kamijinko (upper storehouse) - the artist carved them from imagination:)
On Shinkyusha (the Sacred Stable) are several carvings of monkeys in different poses, the most famous one is 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil' (the three principles of Tendai Buddhism).
Another torii leads to the inner courtyard Gohonsha.
There are 121 lanterns at the Toshogu; 101 are made of stone, 17 of copper and two of iron, which was imported from Portugal and donated by the powerful warlord Date Masmune (1567-1636).
Looking at Yomei-mon (Sunset Gate).
Details on Yomei-mon; intricate coloured carvings and paintings of flowers, dancing girls, mythical beasts and Chinese sages.
The main part of Yomei-mon is decorated with gold leaf!
There are 207 stone steps leading up to the Inner Shrine.
Made it to the top torii!
Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu was buried beneath the Inner Shrine Pagoda in 1617. It's made in 1683 of an alloy of gold, silver and copper (replacing the original wooden and later stone version). The grave itself has never been opened.
Back down in the Yomei-mon I visited the main shrine, where you can't take pictures.
There is only one lantern insode the Yomei-mon Gate; this is the Ippontoro (Imperial Lantern) presented by Empress Tofukumonin (1607-1678).
The candelabra, or Revolving Lantern on the left of the shrine was presented to the Shrine in 1636 by the Dutch government(!). It is so named because it revolves automatically when the candles are lit.
Love this set of different lanterns, one in the shape of the pagoda!
One of the highlights of my visit to Tosho-gu was the Honji-do, a hall with a painting of the Nakiryu (Crying Dragon) on the ceiling. Unfortunately photos weren't allowed in there. It's a guided entrance and once inside monks demonstrate the hall's fascinating acoustics by making the dragon 'roar' when they clap sticks together underneath its mouth. It's really more of a purr than a roar, but still pretty cool:)
Walking back down towards the river I pass this tiny place of worship.
I'm also intrigued by the stone waterpipes in this neighbourhood, a system built in the Taisho Era (1912-1926). It still brings water from the nearby spring through bowls carved out of individual stones. In summer the water is cold, in winter it is warm!
I'm on my way to the Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss, fortunately that has a very recognisable simple shape in its Japanese name, helping me to somewhat decipher the signs:)
This is a very lovely walk.
The Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss is a wooded path lined with a collection of Jizo statues (the Buddhis protector of travellers and children). Too many to count.
There's also a lovely view of the very blue Daiya River.
*whispers* some statues look like muppets.
On my way back to town, I come across this cool wall painting.
Japan is a constant mix between ancient temples and modern life.
Shin-kyo, the sacred red bridge.
All walked out, I'm very happy when I can jump on a bus towards the trainstation (I can use my Tokyo public transport card to pay, yay!)
Before changing from the local train to the Shinkansen, I have time to get a Bento box on Utsunomiya station, so I can have my dinner on the train back to Tokyo.
I thought it was a warm meal, but it turns out to be cold. It still tastes good after a day of walking;) (and I got myself a hot lemonade from a vending machine to warm up).
Back in Tokyo; a warning poster against taking selfies with a moving bullet train.
Before I settle down for the night, I get some snacks for the next day travels at the 7/11 near my hotel and I find this one-bite icecream treat, mmm.
To be continued!
J.
Part 1: Traveling to Japan | Part 2: Temples in Tokyo |
[Crossposted on DW]
Gojunoto (Five Storey Pagoda) at Tosho-gu in Nikko.
Day 4: Traintrip to Nikko [Wednesday, October 9]
Took the subway to Ueno station and got on the Shinkansen there:)
Arrived in Nikko about two hours later. I decided against taking the bus and walked through town to World heritage Site Tosho-gu.
Got a little confused by my map, but found someone to walk along with for a bit. They were on their way to Rinno-ji; you can see the roof of that temple through the trees here. I only stopped to check if I was on the right way again and continued my way to Tosho-gu.
This stone torii (entrance gate) on top of the Omotesando steps is called Ishi-dorii.
Love the moss on these ancient stone lanterns.
Close up of the Gojunoto Five Storey Pagoda.
In the first courtyard are the Sanjinko (Three Sacred Storehouses) all with very cool carving details.
Elephants on the Kamijinko (upper storehouse) - the artist carved them from imagination:)
On Shinkyusha (the Sacred Stable) are several carvings of monkeys in different poses, the most famous one is 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil' (the three principles of Tendai Buddhism).
Another torii leads to the inner courtyard Gohonsha.
There are 121 lanterns at the Toshogu; 101 are made of stone, 17 of copper and two of iron, which was imported from Portugal and donated by the powerful warlord Date Masmune (1567-1636).
Looking at Yomei-mon (Sunset Gate).
Details on Yomei-mon; intricate coloured carvings and paintings of flowers, dancing girls, mythical beasts and Chinese sages.
The main part of Yomei-mon is decorated with gold leaf!
There are 207 stone steps leading up to the Inner Shrine.
Made it to the top torii!
Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu was buried beneath the Inner Shrine Pagoda in 1617. It's made in 1683 of an alloy of gold, silver and copper (replacing the original wooden and later stone version). The grave itself has never been opened.
Back down in the Yomei-mon I visited the main shrine, where you can't take pictures.
There is only one lantern insode the Yomei-mon Gate; this is the Ippontoro (Imperial Lantern) presented by Empress Tofukumonin (1607-1678).
The candelabra, or Revolving Lantern on the left of the shrine was presented to the Shrine in 1636 by the Dutch government(!). It is so named because it revolves automatically when the candles are lit.
Love this set of different lanterns, one in the shape of the pagoda!
One of the highlights of my visit to Tosho-gu was the Honji-do, a hall with a painting of the Nakiryu (Crying Dragon) on the ceiling. Unfortunately photos weren't allowed in there. It's a guided entrance and once inside monks demonstrate the hall's fascinating acoustics by making the dragon 'roar' when they clap sticks together underneath its mouth. It's really more of a purr than a roar, but still pretty cool:)
Walking back down towards the river I pass this tiny place of worship.
I'm also intrigued by the stone waterpipes in this neighbourhood, a system built in the Taisho Era (1912-1926). It still brings water from the nearby spring through bowls carved out of individual stones. In summer the water is cold, in winter it is warm!
I'm on my way to the Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss, fortunately that has a very recognisable simple shape in its Japanese name, helping me to somewhat decipher the signs:)
This is a very lovely walk.
The Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss is a wooded path lined with a collection of Jizo statues (the Buddhis protector of travellers and children). Too many to count.
There's also a lovely view of the very blue Daiya River.
*whispers* some statues look like muppets.
On my way back to town, I come across this cool wall painting.
Japan is a constant mix between ancient temples and modern life.
Shin-kyo, the sacred red bridge.
All walked out, I'm very happy when I can jump on a bus towards the trainstation (I can use my Tokyo public transport card to pay, yay!)
Before changing from the local train to the Shinkansen, I have time to get a Bento box on Utsunomiya station, so I can have my dinner on the train back to Tokyo.
I thought it was a warm meal, but it turns out to be cold. It still tastes good after a day of walking;) (and I got myself a hot lemonade from a vending machine to warm up).
Back in Tokyo; a warning poster against taking selfies with a moving bullet train.
Before I settle down for the night, I get some snacks for the next day travels at the 7/11 near my hotel and I find this one-bite icecream treat, mmm.
To be continued!
J.
Part 1: Traveling to Japan | Part 2: Temples in Tokyo |
[Crossposted on DW]