During our trip we had several days that we could go on independent explorations. This section is for the adventures that took us out of the cities we stayed in. In-town explorations will be covered under the specific city, such as Tokyo, Miyajima, Hiroshima, and Kyoto.
Nikko ~ Himeji Castle ~ Osaka ~ Nara
Nikko is a wonderful place, based on the NCTA participants' descriptions of
this site. A Buddhist temple was built here over a thousand years ago. Tokugawa
Ieyasu chose this as his burial place. His grandson had his spectacular shrine
built in 1634 amid beautiful surroundings. There is also a Shinto shrine in
Nikko. Shinkyu, the Sacred Horse Stable, houses the sacred horse, which is said
to carry messages to the gods. The white horse in the picture below was a present
from the New Zealand government.
 Paula at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
 Pagoda at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
 "Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil" Carving on Sacred Stable at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by Nathan Dickey) |
 Monkey carving on Sacred Stable at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
 Sacred horse at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
 Shrine at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
 Paula and April in the rain at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
 Dragon fountain at Nikko July 9, 2003 (Photo by April Niemela) |
Toyotomi Hideyoshi first captured the site Himeji Castle is located on in 1577. He enlarged the castle existing there at the time. Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron or White Egret Castle, was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu's son-in-law in 1609.
 Himeji Castle July 21, 2003 (Photo by Vicky Mann) |
 Vicky, Amy, and Melissa at Himeji Castle July 21, 2003 (Photo courtesy of Vicky Mann) |
 Himeji Castle July 21, 2003 (Photo by Vicky Mann) |
 Himeji Castle July 21, 2003 (Photo by Vicky Mann) |
Osaka Castle is built on Ishi-yama near the confluence of the Daini Neya-gawa and Neya-gawa, which in turn flows into Ogawa river. A fortified Buddhist temple was located here but was eventually captured by Oda Nobunaga in 1580. Toyotomi Hideyoshi started construction of Osaka-jou in 1583 but it was destroyed in 1615 by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle was rebuilt, but later burned in a fire. The keep was rebuilt in 1931 and was recently renovated. The castle is beautiful and the view of Osaka from the top is great.
 Uchi-bori (inner moat), Osaka Castle July 20, 2003 |
 Chizuko and Linda at Osaka Castle July 20, 2003 |
 Chizuko and Yumi at Osaka Castle July 20, 2003 |
 Moat around Osaka Castle July 20, 2003 |
Horyu-ji temple was built in the early 7th century for Prince Shotoku and is one of the best sites to view Asuka art and architecture. Many of the buildings are among the world's oldest wooden buildings and are National Treasures. Todai-ji is famous for the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den), the largest building in the world, which houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), the world's largest bronze image of the Buddha. There are many other wonderful places in Nara.
 Ticket to Horyu-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
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 Shaka Triad at Horyu-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
 Chizuko and Yumi at Horyu-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
 Horyu-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
 Yakushi Nyorai at Horyu-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
 Path to East Precinct at Horyu-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
 Chizuko in front of Yume-dono July 21, 2003 |
 Ticket to Todai-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
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 Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) at Todai-ji July 21, 2003 |
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 Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) at Todai-ji July 21, 2003 |
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 Daibutsu at Todai-ji, Nara July 21, 2003 |
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 Chizuko in front of Nigatsu-do, Nara July 21, 2003 |
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 Kasuga Taisha, Nara July 21, 2003 |
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Tokyo ~ Yokohama ~ Shimane ~ Miyajima ~ Hiroshima ~ Kanazawa ~ Kyoto ~ Independent Travel
Photo Gallery ~ Maps, DEMs, and Satellite Imagery ~ Panoramas ~ Wallpaper and Screensavers
