Day 5: Nikko -> Tokyo

Last day in Nikko means last day of onsen so I wake up at 5am to get some before breakfast relaxation time, then I'm off to see Toshogu shrine and Kegon waterfall.


Rocking the red umbrella in the rain



Approaching the gates to the shrine




Didn't know what this was, but I liked it because it reminded me of a space ship from star trek or something like that




I feel like I always end up taking a picture of one of these when I visit Japan




One of the buildings before the Toshogu shrine




Where have I seen this before?




Rocking the Blue steel




Tiny people below




Finally, the shine




"Hey kid! Want to ruin this picture? Okay, just stand there. Yup. Don't move, no matter how pissed off I look"




Rocking the pink




This is the view of Kegon falls when you are standing in a cloud


After a disappointing tour of the waterfall I decided it was time to go back home to Tokyo. Yes. I said home.

Day 4: Nikko->Yumoto

Almost every trip I take there is a segment where I hike all day, take pictures and eat a rewarding meal for my efforts. Today was that day.



Shinkyo bridge

Okunikko

This is where I begin my hike up into Yumoto. It begins with a waterfall, and seemingly never ends. As I made my way to the trailhead I noticed that all the other hikers had hiking poles and bells to scare away bears. I was concerned.


Ryuzu Falls



Further upriver



The widest point before the falls

Senjogahara marsh

The Japanese really know how to conserve an area and yet still have hundreds of visitors.




I liked these trees




These ones too




Mid hike snack at Yudaki waterfall. Not pictured because the platform was under construction




Poor little delicious sucker

Yumoto

Finally made it! Taking my victory lap around the lake




There are monkeys here. I got lucky and spotted this guy lurking in the trees




My ryokan kaiseki reward after a dip in the onsen. What followed was a deep deep sleep

Day 3: Tokyo->Nikko

It's no surprise that I wake up early again. I walk to the same temple nearby to take some more photos before heading out to Nikko. I know it may seem pointless to photograph the same thing over and over again. But there's something nice about taking pictures at 5am, and I still have a lot to learn about this temple.










No matter which way I straighten this photo, it still looks crooked. I blame the building in the middle








Just outside the temple. I liked the way the orange played off the cool morning light

Nikko

I was a little nervous about Nikko in that I didn't put in as much thought as to what I'd do there as I normally do for other cities. The scary part is always trying to find where you're staying when everything is in Japanese, and your map is hand drawn on the website.



Found it though


I check my bags because it is too early to check in and I take off to see what's around the ryokan.



They have the same idea




An overhead view of a river




Colours are just starting to turn




These guys watch me as I rest by the waterfall



The reason why Nikko is so popular is the abundance of onsen, or hot springs. This usually means an abundance of formally active volcanic mountain ranges




More river. Heading back now to check in



I like bridges




Ok last one



I'm home. If I were to rate hospitality on an international scale, Japanese hospitality would be an 11/10