Exploring Nikko's World Heritage Sites: Two Shrines and One Temple

Yesterday, I stayed at the historic Nikko Kanaya Hotel, which has been around for over a century. Just down the hill from the hotel is the Shinkyo Bridge, which looks particularly atmospheric in the drizzle. The walk from the hotel to Tobu Nikko Station is lined with local delicacies. I tried fried noodles, Nikko pudding, yuba, and the famous tofu. This morning, the sky cleared up, and I visited the two shrines and one temple: Rinnoji Temple, Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Taiyuin Mausoleum. Toshogu Shrine was crowded, with many school groups visiting. I rented an audio guide, which highlighted many features inspired by Chinese stories, such as the Three Wise Monkeys from Confucius's teachings, the carving of Sima Guang breaking the jar, and the Tang Gate. Taiyuin Mausoleum was much less crowded and surrounded by dense vegetation. Although it isn't as lavish as Toshogu Shrine, it offers a peaceful atmosphere. The autumn leaves haven't turned red yet, but they will be beautiful in a couple of weeks. Futarasan Shrine was less impressive, with the main attraction being a large golden rabbit. After leaving Futarasan, I took a bus two stops back to Shinkyo Bridge. For lunch, I dined at Myogetsubo, a restaurant with a unique Japanese garden near the bridge, where the steak was delicious. I returned to Asakusa on the Tobu Limited Express. With some time before my evening flight, I searched for a highly-rated matcha specialty shop called Reicha and tried their signature rich matcha ice cream, which came with a cute little bear on top. The matcha flavor was rich and aromatic. My three-day, two-night trip to Nikko has come to an end. I hope to return when the autumn leaves are at their peak. #MyUniqueTravelGuide #NikkoToshoguShrine