If you ever go to Tokyo, a side trip to Nikko is not to be missed.  A convenient

Shinkansen (bullet train) ride away from either Tokyo or Ueno station, it deserves at least an overnight or two.  I had booked us at the Hontari-an for two nights and we decided to stay an extra night since there was so much to see and do.  Nikko is filled with hiking, water, shrines and temples in the most awesome of natural settings.  See the video and explanation on the movie 3 page about fishing in Nikko.  The Shinkyo (red lacquered bridge) is awesome and a photographers dream in most any light.  Our accommodations were alongside the Daiwa river -you can hear water running everywhere in Nikko!  I have another video (so many we’ll have to edit when we get back) I’ll try to get up of a local artist painting dragons for the boys.  So much to say about Nikko.........not enough time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We left Nikko for Kamakura which was originally “planned” as a day trip but we decided to stay 2 nights and found  great  central location.  There can be surf in Kamakura but not while we were there so we just wandered the city taking in the Daibutsu (great buddha) and local temples and shops.  On a horticultural note....the hydrangea have been in full bloom the whole trip and I have been photographing all the different varieties I have found.  We visited a great shrine which had a wonderful hydrangea garden.  The rain and all the umbrellas gave it a very japanese feel.  It is the rainy season here.  Phil left yesterday and we will be here through Monday so today, it’s off to the Pokeman center in Tokyo and then to Akihabara-the electronics district.

  Mata-ne!