
JAPAN - around Tokyo - Nikko
Nikko is a city located in Tochigi Prefecture and it's easy to visit from Tokyo (2 hours by train). It is a very popular destination for Japanese and international tourists. The temple of Rinno-ji was established in 766, followed by the temple of Chūzen-ji in 784. The village of Nikko developed around these temples. The shrine of Nikko Tōsho-gu is the largest with many buildings and was completed in 1617 and it became a major draw of visitors to the area during the Edo period. It is known as the burial place of the famous Japanese shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. A number of new roads were built during this time to provide easier access to Nikko from surrounding regions. Nikko Tosho-gu, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinno-ji now form the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikko.
BEST TIME to VISIT NIKKO
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to JAPAN
From May to September (more rainy in summer)

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Rinnoji temple - The incense is burned and its smoke purifies and heals the bodies

Nikko - Shinkyo sacred bridge

Nikko - Rinnoki Temple

Nikko - Rinnoji Temple

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Old lanterns

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Sake barrels

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Dragons

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Fortune Teller

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Fortune tellers : you pay and you take a paper where your "future" is written

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Rinnoji temple - The incense is burned and its smoke purifies and heals the bodies

Nikko - Rinnoji temple - Water is used by buddhists to purify before entrering the temple - Here the young girls are learning

Nikko - Elegant ladies in kimono

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Guardian at the entrance gate

Nikko - Elegant ladies in kimono

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - large lantern

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Guardian at the entrance gate

Nikko - this couple is posing the 3rd may 2019 , so at the beginning of the new era after Emperor Akihito abdicated on 30 April 2019. This marked the end of the Heisei era and the inception of the Reiwa era.

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - 5 storeys pagoda

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Guardian at the entrance gate

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - This statue with a hammer represents money and people which wants to become rich are touching this statue, it's why is so bright on the belly and face

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Guardian at the entrance gate

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Portable shrine used once a year for a procession

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - under the roof

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Portable shrines used once a year for a procession

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - colorful wood carvings

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - colorful wood carvings

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - roof and wood carvings

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - old lanterns

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Famous building with monkeys

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Fortune teller - You pay and you choose a paper where your future is written

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - famous building with monkeys

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - the famous wood carved monkeys

Nikko - Toshogu shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Girls imitating the monkeys

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Fortune tellers - if you don't like what is written on the paper , you can hang it to have a chance to improve your "future"

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Buddhists pay to write their wished on this piece of wood

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Buddhists pay to write their wished on this piece of wood

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Buddhists pay to write their wished on this piece of wood

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Buddhists need to purify with water before entering in the shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Guardian at the entrance of the shrine

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Long queue to enter the shrine

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Statue at the entrance gate

Nikko - Futarasan Shrine - Entrance gate

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine- Mythical animals

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - Dragons

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - colorful bird

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - The famous monkeys

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - The famous monkeys

Nikko - Toshogu Shrine - The famous monkeys

Nikko - Shinkyo sacred Bridge

Countryside - Rice Fields

Countryside - Rice Fields

Countryside - Rice Fields

typical house

blue house and a restaurant

house with a garden

street food

Street food - Fish on sticks

Street food - Fish on sticks

restaurant

restaurant

restaurants

restaurant

restaurant

restaurant

restaurant

street view

street view

street view

restaurants

restaurant

restaurant

restaurant

Wine shop

Easy in Japan to choose a dish with such menu

Restaurant - Sashimi meal

in front of a restaurant, a very easy and visual menu with pictures