The world heritage shrines and temples of Nikko have been unharmed by the recent Earthquake/Tsunami destruction. Here are some photos taken on 15th April 2011 of Toshogu Shrine and a nearby waterfall we found hidden up in the hills, taken on a beautiful day of touring.
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- Torii gates leading to Toshogu shrine
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- Pagoda at Toshogu Shrine
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- Toshogu Shrine is famous for it’s colourful and intricately carved buildings, very different from design from other temples such as those seen in Kyoto.
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- These 3 monkeys are famous carvings on Toshogu’s buildings. You can see them on the left hand side as you walk up the main walkway.
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- Toshogu dates from the 17th century
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- The most famous carving on the Toshogu Shrine buildings, The Sleeping Cat. It sits on the lintel above the entrance to Ieyasu Tokugawa’s resting place. There is a sculpture of a sparrow on the backside of the Sleeping Cat. The sparrow will be eaten if the cat is awake. However, the sparrow and the cat co-exist. It means that nation wide chaos is over and peaceful society has come.
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- Some of the ancient wall and stairs leading through the complex
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- Large stone torii gates mark the entry to Toshogu shrine.
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- Spring hasn’t quite reached this part of the mountains yet.
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- The forest provides it’s own stairs.
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- Waterfall in the hills nearby to Toshogu Shrine, in Nikko
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- Moss covered rocks by the waterfall.
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- Stone steps in the forest
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- The forest is just awakening to Spring, and the ground is still soft with last Autumn’s leaves.
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- Small statues and Jizo are found dotted throughout the forests
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- Sunset at a nearby river
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- The sun setting over the mountains in Nikko.
