日光 Nikko day trip

My students from my Thursday night private class took me to Nikko as a farewell trip.

(L-R): Shoichi, Noriko, me, Kimiko, Takao

Since I'd been to Nikko before, we went to the must-see place: Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A lavishly-decorated shrine complex that is visually very different from the usual simple Japanese shrines.

Yomeimon - ornate gate.

The famous "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" monkeys.

Intricate reliefs on the walls.

Children on a school excursion doing some kind of scavenger hunt

We also went to the Tamozawa Imperial Villa. Built for Emperor Taisho in 1899, this was used as a hideout for Emperor Hirohito during WWII. Huge maze of buildings surrounded by a large beautiful Japanese garden.

The little door leading underground is the entrance to the bomb shelter.

Finished off with soba dinner.