Japan, Nikko - Nikko Tosho-gu

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Located in Nikko, the Nikko Tosho-gu (a.k.a. Toshogu) is both a Shinto shrine as well as a mausoleum that is dedicated to the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa layasu (1543 - 1616). 

The Toshogu shrine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing of the Shrines and Temples of Nikko.

My visit to the Toshogu shrine on 5th October 2014 was partly clouded by the impending arrival of super Typhoon Phanfone. Although Nikko wasn't in the path of the typhoon, the accompanying rains sort of "wash-out" my day trip to Nikko.

I started the day trip early in the morning and the bus journey from Tokyo to Nikko passed through parts of Saitama Prefecture offering picture-perfect views of the countryside despite the drizzle which got stronger as the tour bus neared Nikko.

Because of the rain, I was unable to take much photos of the lavishly decorated Toshogu. The most famous of these decorations being the wooden carvings of the Three Wise Monkeys, who together signify the often heard, spoken and read phrase of "Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil and See no Evil".

The famous Three Wise Monkeys, Tosho-gu Shrine, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan (2014) 

The impending typhoon and rain aside, my visit was still a relatively good one as I could actually put away the distraction of handling my DSLR camera and focused my attentions on the history, cultures and stories of the shrine. Our guide provided a very good overview of the shrine and its history and we were given personal time to walk around the shrine on our own, focusing on areas that caught our personal attention and interests.

Inside the Tosho-gu Shrine, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan (2014)

The wooden carvings of monkeys were on the facade of the horse Stable of the Shrine and actually depict a story, Tosho-gu Shrine, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan (2014) 

View of the forest of Cryptomeria (known as Sugi in Japanese a.k.a. Japanese Cedar) around the Shrine, Tosho-gu Shrine, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan (2014)

Signs of Autumn were in the air and trees during my visit in early October, Tosho-gu Shrine, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan (2014)

Despite the short visit, I managed to catch a solemn prayer session in the shrine as well as spent time to slowly walk around the areas of the shrine that were opened to visitors. I concluded my rain-accompanied visit with a surreal feeling of peace and zen.

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