Sightseeing in Nikko

Nikko is a popular tourist destination, because of its rich historical background and proximity to Tokyo. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many old temples and shrines (like built in the 1500s). The style of architecture is not what you would think of as the Japanese zen style. There are elaborate details, painting and reliefs as well as a fair bit of gold on the buildings. It struck me as being a bit Chinese or even Indian.

Toshogu shrine complex. Very big, lavishly decorated and also houses the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu (founder of the Tokugawa shogunate)

The original see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil monkeys carving on one of the buildings in the complex

Taiyuinbyo (Mausoleum of Iemitsu, grandson of Tokugawa)

Just a random shot taken while walking from one shrine to another

Uncle Jack, my mom and dad (from left to right). On the left of the picture (where there is smoke), there are stalls selling freshly grilled yakitori (Japanese satay) and hot drinks. On the right, You can see a group of students. Many schools organise excursions to Nikko for students to learn more about Japanese history, sort of like our secondary school excursions to Malacca.