The next 3 weeks will lead us starting from Tokyo up north to Nikko and then down until Hiroshima stopping at Kyoto and Nara. As we are right in the middle of autumn I expect the peak of the famous “Koyo” time the colorful leaf change in Japan.
We are welcomed by the landmark of Japan - Mt. Fuji and Tokyo - the Tokyo Tower and our close friends with a typical dinner in a fish restaurant.
In the center of Tokyo are living 14 mio. people and together with its suburbs nearly 34 million. So the most precious thing is SPACE. Everything is packed together as you can imagine – houses, cars and even the people.
If you are not so much a city person then follow us to the place which defines Japanese culture and the word “magnificent” which is kekko… Welcome to Nikko.
150km north of Tokyo lays this temple city featuring one of Japans National Treasures.
On the first day we explored the world heritage site with its 1000years old temples underlined by colorful red & yellow leaves of the Japanese marble tree (the Momiji).
We stayed in a traditional hotel which is called Ryokan where you sleep on Tatami mats with your futon and take a relaxing bath in the hot spring onsen at the end of the day. The temperatures of those baths are mostly between 41 – 48 deg. much warmer to what we are used to.
Next day we went further up the mountain to Chuzenji Lake and its impressive Kegon Falls. Lucky with the weather we could enjoy a great view of the entire area and the valley below us.
Finishing our most northern stop and getting prepared for the hopefully warmer south.
Kekko desu ne!!!
More on: http://picasaweb.google.com/marco.schoeggl/NikkoIsNipponWelcomeToJapan#
