I walked up to the Toshogu Shrine, where one of the important rulers of the Edo period had his Mausoleum built. A stunning presentation of wealth and beauty, and still full of the quiet spirit of Japan. While I was there I head drumming several times, where the shinto-priests are conducting some kind of ceremony.
I had looked at the map, and found a shrine dedicated to a female deity, so there I went. It was a long walk trough and up into the forest behind the Toshogu shrine.
Actually it was a shrine on the edge of the maountain, and there was a fantastic view from there.
When I walked back I was not sure if I had the power to go to the falls aswell, and first I had to get something to eat. After a good meal, I was rested and full of power again, so I decided to give it a try. Nikko is settled in a deep valley between high mountains, so the sun sets early. I did not want to get caught in the darkness away from the city.
On the way to the falls I had a coupple of great shots on the fantastic mountains that surround Nikko
The roadsign said 2 km, but I didnt know that it would be such a climb. I went up and up and up, and the street narrowed into almost nothing. I met noone and it was a very nice and quiet walk, just being one with nature, watching the sky and feeling the serenety of the old old forest.
There were several times where I almost gave up, but in the end I finally made it. I met the spirit of the falls, in a buddha on the foot of the last stairs to the shrine next to the falls. He promised me to protect me, and I promised him a token on my return ;)
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