Yayoi Matsuri Festival in Nikko

As many of you know, I love the reality tv show: The Amazing Race. One of these days I hope to be on it! Although I will first have to learn to drive a stick shift and not be deathly afraid of deep ocean water and not hate flying so much- besides the point, right?!

Anyways, as I've been living in Japan I've been managing to take overnight trips about once a month. As I explore a new city I imagine the show having some sort of task related to where I am. 

Well I got to compete in a challenge today that would perfectly fit on the race! 

At the visitors center in Nikko I was given a poster with 11 empty spaces where I was supposed to collect stamps. If I returned in a certain amount of time, I would receive a prize. Today happened to be a festival with large decorated wagons, music, costumes and a long parade. The wagons were pulled up the main road about a km to a historic bridge. Children dressed in traditional kimonos rode inside playing drums and flutes. Men pulled the wagons up the hill. Each wagon had its own special stamp and I was my job to go from wagon to wagon asking the parade participants to stamp my poster. Luckily stamp in Japanese is: "stampu" so all I had to say was "stampu onegaishimasu" and if I asked the wrong guy, they were still very helpful. I was even provided with cupfuls of sake! 

My prize? you ask, two bottles of local beer brewed and bottled in Nikko! Can't wait to try it with some friends.

Nikko Day 2: solo hiking, waterfalls, and lakes

I started my day early, and caught the 7:40 bus from the station. It took about an hour to wind through the mountain slopes and reach a lovely lake, and from there the starting point of my hike. Also a popular hiking spot among the masses. Except, I was basically the only hiker today! I had a glorious walk past several waterfalls, along a stream, across a bridge, through birch woods, up to another lake and all surrounded by snow-capped mountains! Luckily it was sunny, and with the beautiful scenery around me, I was on cloud nine!

The first waterfall, and from there the trail continued for nearly 6 km along the following terrain...

 Where are the people?

My only company along the trail!

 

Clearly no one has been here in a while to fix this... (this was one of many fallen trees along my path).

(Lex and Dans: insert poem reference here...)

So I guess the black rock that is not covered by water is supposed to look like the poster on the railing?!

Climbing over 300 steps along the side of the waterfall (pictured directly above), I reached another lake-clearly the results of a volcanic eruption since there is even a sulfur hot springs up here.

Nikko: shrines, temples and pouring rain!

I've been on a roll... each month I take a mini vacation! 

In January: I visited Kyoto with my parents and sisters.

In February: I visited Nagano with a coworker/friend.

In March: I spent 3 days/2 nights in Hakone.

So, for April's adventure- I visited Nikko.

Sometimes referred to as the 'mini Kyoto,' Nikko is famous for shrines, temples, some great hikes and as luck would have it- a city-wide festival while I was there! (more about the festival in the second post).

Although it took almost 4 hours to get there by train-about 3 transfers (and one mistake on my part), it only cost $20! Damn I love Japan's public transportation. (As a point of reference, it would cost me $20 just to get to Davis on Amtrak-1 hour from Oakland).

On the first afternoon, I scouted out the downtown area. From the train station, I walked up the hill following the main road. Soon I found the tourist information center (Mom, you would be so proud). There I received the necessary maps and directions towards the shrines and temples. 1 km further up the hill, and I reached three points of interest:

This sign front: (which included Japanese, English, Spanish and even Hebrew posters!) How could I resist? Turns out, its one of the few recommendations in Lonely Planet- and as you guessed it, very foreigner friendly! There were only three wooden tables, so strangers sat together! Covering the walls were memorabilia and messages from all over the world and in all languages! Really cute. I enjoyed my lunch while chatting with an Australian tourist.

The start to the complex of shrines and temples...

 

This time I wanted to share the intricate carvings on these buildings...

Recognize this iconic carving? I'm proud to say its the original!!

Nikko's elevation is significantly higher than Yokohama, so it was rather cold, and unfortunately rainy today!

Tuesday at Odawara Castle with Romica

I met up with my good friend Romica and we explored the city of Odawara. She lives on the military base here in Japan- since her husband is in the Navy, and Odawara was a good central meeting point for us. The castle grounds were lovely, the inside itself was a history museum with plenty of Samurai and battle tools and costumes.

Views from the top of the castle- I didn't realize that the coast was so close!!

 

Spring gardens in the castle. The weather was windy, and when the wind stopped, it felt like a California summer.

Mom: thought you might giggle at this one. (Check out the museum names).

Sometimes I really miss the beach and it feels so good to see the ocean again! I guess I just didn't realize how much of a coast-girl I really am.

Monday on Mount Mitake

Northwest of Tokyo, slightly remote and tedious to reach was a satisfying hike! When Mom and Dans visited in January, they discovered Mount Mitake- the hiking trails and the beautiful shrine on top! Everyone else I've talked to, has never heard of it!

The train ride took just under two hours and at the last transfer, the train was only 4-cars long!

The station was quite remote. (Thanks to my friend, Beth, I have the appropriate Japanese hiker wear-the striped woolen tights!)

Being stubborn, I did not want to take a bus up the hill to the cable-car station, instead I discovered a lovely river and a 15% grade road that I had to follow on foot for 50 minutes!

 The cable car felt nearly vertical is it ascended even more.

From there, I still had to climb up winding paths and many stairs to reach the shrine.

Other secrets of this mountain included a secluded waterfall, a babbling stream with stone stepping paths and plenty of silence- therefore, more time for my self-timer photos :)