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NIKKO Japan Travel things you need to know while on the go. Before, during, and perhaps after.

Scenery is breath taking. The views, the nature, the majestic shrines. A area for natives to must see and a foreign traveler to put on their nature bucket list.

Starting at only $1445 going up depending on duration, class, and amenities this trip from Bradley to Tokyo can be done by anyone if you have the time and patience. It is 16 hours plus to get their. Quicker than a trip to Australia.

120+ attractions to go see and do.

History of Nikko Japan
Nikko Japan is a tourist attraction in the Tochigi Prefecture in Japan, Nikko means Sunshine or sunlight. It is famous for being a major sacred site and having over 100 ornate buildings and temples, as well as for its beautiful mountain scenery, its waterfalls and its crytomeria forests. In Nikko Japan, it is famous for its 3 main buildings, Futurasan-jinja shire, Toshogu shrine, and Rinno-ji temple. In the 8th century the first religious building was erected by a Buddhist monk named Shodo. “According to legend, Shodo Shonin overcame a series of challenges and climbed the mountain, bringing the teachings of Buddha to the area. Yet his achievement did not bring about the exclusion of the ancient native Shintoism, whose shrines remained and stood side by side with Buddhist Temples.” statue of Shodo Shonin At the end of the 12th century, the Kamakura Shogunate established itself in Kanto, which enabled Nikko to assert itself as a sacred site. However by the end of the 16th century it was abandoned. However, after Ieyasu Tokogawa died in 1616, a great mausoleum was constructed in Nikko in his honor. It is now one of the most important shrines there. In the shrine is the Gate of Yomeimon, which is translated into the Gate of Sunlight. In 1653, once again, there was a shrine erected for another, Togukawa Iemitsu, which is located in the Rinno-ji temple. Yomeimon Gate shrine of Ieyasu Tokogawa In 1871 the Meigi government split the 3 buildings up to 3 different religious groups. The Futurasan-jinja Shrine, which consists of 23 buildings, was devoted to the 3 divinties of Mount Nantai. The Futuransan-jinja has the shinkyo bridge, Haiden and hoden, and the Betsugu Takino-o-jinja Hoden. The Betsugu Takino-o-jinja Hoden dates back to 825. Futarasan-jinju The Toshogu was founded in the 17th century, and has 3 sacred chambers. These chambers form an ‘H’ shape. In this building there are 42 buildings, which make up the Toshogu. This is known as the Gongen-zukuri. In the building there is the Shomen Karamon and the Haimen Karamon, which is also known as the Chinese door. Another part of the building you find the Yomeimon gate which was erect in 1636, which is covered in ornate decorations of leaping lions and flying dragons. Outside the Toshogu is the Tozai Sukire is the wall that surrounds Hoden, Ishinoma and the Haide group, which dates back to 1630. Toshogu Shrine The last building is the Rinno-ji, which dates back to the 8th century. It consists of 38 buildings. In it is the mausoleum of Togukawa Iemitsu, as such it is listed as a natural treasure. Rinno-ji In Nikko Japan you will also find the Chuzenji, which means the Sea of happiness, and is a mountain lake, as well as a national park. It has the Kegon waterfall, which on the shore of is the ancient Buddhist temple of Chuzeji.

Recommended Visit Time: 1 Day

United Nations Educational scientific and Cultural Organization. Shrines and Temples of Nikko. 2015. Document. 5 March 2015.

"Nikko." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1. History Reference Center. Web. 5 Mar. 2015.

Digital image. Toshogu Shrine. Japan Guide, 2015. Web.

Digital Image. Futurasan-Jinji Shrine. Wikipedia, 2015. Web.

Digital Image. Yomiemin Gate. Panoramio, 2015. Web.

Digital Image. Rinno-ji Temple. Japan Guide, 2015. Web.

Digital Image. Shrine of Ieyasu Tokogawa. Japan guide, 2015. Web.

Digital Image. Shodo Shonin. Travelblog, 2015. Web.