Peter's Japan blog

Today was the real first day trip. I checked the weather, and it was supposed to be warm weather, so I dressed light. When I came outside it was a little bit chilly & cloudy, and I hoped it would go away. Today also marked the day that I took a shinkansen for the first time. From Ueno to Utsunomiya, for 1h15. It feels like a TGV (as I would have expected it), but they look cooler ;p. I was surprised that when we stopped at Omiya station, that it was right next to Saitama Super Arena :D.
At Utsunomiya, took the JR Nikko Line to Nikko. From there the real walk started. First 1.6km to the entrance of Nikko National Park. There are many steep stairs in Nikko, so be prepared if you go all the way. There is a special extra side trip to the grave of Tokugawa Ieyasu, which is the highest point and with some 169 high stairs. The normal tour is:
Ronnoji Temple (Sanbutsudo, with three 8m tall golden statues inside):

Toshugu Shrine:

with tomb of Togugawa Ieyasu:

Taiyuinbyo (shrine of the 3rd Togugawa Shogun):

Futarasan Shrine (I think):

I must say that Nikko was definitely worth the trip&walk. The shrines, temple and area are very beautiful.