# Day 6 - Day trip to Nikko ## Mountains and shrines Ok… take two. After our train ticket mishap the day before, we finally made it to Nikko! We knew from the moment we stepped out of the train into the fresh mountain air that we would love it here. With its first temple established by the monk Shōdō Shōnin in 766 CE, Nikko went on to become a significant location for religion and politics. Today it is most commonly known as the home of two large shrines dedicated to the early members of the Tokugawa family, the last Shogunate of Japan (shogunate means hereditary military dictatorship), as well as a significant temple. We started at the picturesque Shinkyo bridge, and then walked up a wooded path (stopping to photograph some “lifer” birds such as the Pygmy Woodpecker!) toward the main temple, which houses three massive gold Buddhas. We serendipitously arrived just at the right time to witness a monk perform the “Goma” (holy fire) prayer, which involved powerful and captivating chanting, striking various chimes, and burning prayers written on sticks into a tall fire. It was such a treat to witness. ![[day 6 - 1.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 2.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 3.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 4.jpg]] We then wound our way through the path that takes you from shrine to shrine, each of which were mind-bogglingly ornate and beautiful. ![[day 6 - 5.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 6.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 7.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 8.jpg]] It was incredible to see the different styles and details, and to learn the history behind the buildings and the people they represent. Nikko is a fascinating representation of how the relationships between Buddhism, Shinto (the native religion of Japan), and political powers have morphed and intertwined over the course of history. ![[day 6 - 9.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 10.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 11.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 12.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 13.jpg]] For “lunch” we visited a coffee shop inside a lovely old building, and enjoyed some crepes while sitting on traditional tatami mats. Then it was time to quickly grab some snacks for the train, and head back to the city, leaving the breathtaking mountains and streams of Nikko behind. ![[day 6 - 14.jpg]] ## False color At 5pm we had tickets to an attraction called teamLab Planets, a museum of multi-sensory interactive art instillations meant to be experienced with your whole self. Guests remove their shoes and socks, and roll up their pant legs before walking from room to through various physical and digital displays, sometimes knee-deep in water! We had a blast exploring and playing in each of the installations. ![[day 6 - 17.jpg]] All of the lighting in the photos below is environmental, no editing was involved. ![[day 6 - 15.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 16.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 18.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 19.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 20.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 22.jpg]] ![[day 6 - 23.jpg]]![[day 6 - 24.jpg]] For our final dinner in Tokyo, we ate at CoCo Ichibanya, a local chain serving Japanese curry—a mainstay of Japanese home cooking. Manu had Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) curry, and Sophia got the veggie curry with a side salad. It was the perfect, warming comfort meal after a long day.