Nikko 
Nikko: ancient religious center, National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site & the final resting place of the founding Tokugawa shoguns.
Nikko is about two hours north of Tokyo by train.
Viewed: 216 times.
Rin-no-ji Sanbutsu-do is home to three 8-meter buddha icons: Bato Kannon, Amida Nyorai & Senju Kannon. The three buddhas also represent three local mountains. Buddhism is interwoven with Shinto in Japan.
Viewed: 198 times.
Temple bell at Rin-no-ji Sanbutsu-do.
Viewed: 207 times.
So-rin-to Tower at Rin-no-ji Sanbutsu-do. This 13.2m bronze tribute to Tokugawa & Tendai buddhism was built as part of Tosho-gu Shrine in 1643 but was moved from the shinto shrine to this buddhist temple in 1875. The Tokugawa crest and some of the 24 bells at the top of the tower are visible through the purple-fringed tears of my camera's squinting CCD.
Viewed: 171 times.
Futarasan-jinja was established in the 8th century for worship of a local mountain (now called Mt. Nantai). This is the smaller side entrance to the shrine complex.
Viewed: 202 times.
Futarasan-jinja: At left is the Shinyosha (Shed of the Sacred Sedan Chair), in front of Daikoku-den, both dating from the first half of the 17th century (and built like Swiss watches).
Viewed: 190 times.
Futarasan-jinja has one of the largest collections of swords in Japan, and in it is this very large sword (more than 2m).
Viewed: 195 times.
Futarasan-jinja: Debi at the Mitomo Shrine.
Viewed: 198 times.
Futara-reisen (the Spiritual spring of Futara).
Viewed: 192 times.
Futara-reisen is a simple, natural site of Shinto reverence.
Viewed: 196 times.
Futara-reisen.
Viewed: 187 times.
Futarasan-jinja: Shamusho. This building is used as an office. Wow, that's a good-lookin' office.
Viewed: 195 times.
Futarasan-jinja on the way to Tosho-gu. Bronze torii and Rau-mon (gate) in the background.
Viewed: 202 times.
Futarasan side of Rau-mon.
Viewed: 205 times.
Kamishin-michi on the way to Tosho-gu.
Viewed: 213 times.
One of many stone lanterns in Kamishin-michi.
Viewed: 202 times.
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