Nikko, this place is frickin huge!

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

It's not everyday that you wake up and realize that you have over a dozen World Heritage Sites in your backyard. UNESCO assigns natural and cultural sites World Heritage status every year around the world. What makes Japan particularly special is its high concentration of sites. Doting the landscape from Kyushu to HokkaidoThe Northernmost of the 4 major islands of the Japanese archipelago., Japan is one of the most culturally relevant countries on the planet.

As a foreigner living in Japan I am constantly in awe of my surroundings. From the mundane to the spectacular, I am always in the presence of what I consider beauty. Nowhere are these differences made more apparent then in Japan's relationship with it's own history. A civilization with a richer and more sophisticated history then my own; I often find myself marveling at Japan's longevity. Japan treats it's history with reverence. Specifically, the World Heritage Sites. They are utilized as functioning organisms dedicated to the preservation of Japan's past.

One of the most impressive of these sites is Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture. Established in 782 by Shodo Shonin, Rinno -Ji is the oldest temple in all of Nikko. Nikko itself is a vast natural landscape housing some of the oldest and most famous temples in Japan. One of the largest attractions for temple aficionados is the Nikko Tosho-Gu, the tomb of the Shogun Tokugawa. What really sets Nikko apart from other World Heritage Sites is it's seemingly effortless blending of architecture and nature.

The Japanese venerate nature as much as any organized religion. So it is no surprise that Nikko blends both the natural and the manmade with such impressive resonance. Nikko's temple system is also one of the few that incorporates both ShintoThe traditional animistic belief system of Japan. It was the official state religion of Japan until the postwar period. and Buddhist temples constructed side by side.

Kegon Falls and Lake Chūzenji are two of Nikko's most brilliant natural attractions. Kegon Falls is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan. Lake Chūzenji feeds the falls as well as provide Nikko with a hydro-electric power source. Nikko is the third largest city in Japan, in terms of sheer area. Nikko is a day trip, but be prepared for an all day excursion. Nikko is as beautiful as it is vast.Taking all of this into consideration as well as Nikko's infamous wild monkey and deer population should be reason enough for a visit. Also, bring a jacket. Nikko's elevation lends itself to a climate similar to that of Hokkaido. Enjoy.