Nikko Adventure Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd February

Headed off to Nikko on Saturday morning first headed to Ueno where I had to catch the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Utsonomiya and then from there on the JR Nikko line to catch the train to Nikko.

Shinkansen

I arrived around 1pm and was ready for a few days sight seeing.



Nikko Station

 

Things did not quite start out to plan as I had forgot to lift money from the bank before I left and only had 2000 yen on me (roughly £15). The problem with this is (for people who have been to Japan before will know) it is not easy to find a bank that will work with a foreign cashline card - in Tokyo its no problem as the Seven Eleven stores have ATM's that work no problem and there are loads of these shops everywhere in Tokyo. However, I could not find one here in Nikko!!!!!!!

I tried the ATM at the bank and the local convenience store but neither of them worked. So I headed out towards The World Heritage Shrines and Temples of Nikko hoping to find somewhere along the way. I passed the Shinkyo Bridge on the way which arches over the River Daiya on route.

Shinkyo Bridge

It cost 1300 yen to enter into Tosho-Gu Shrine but at this moment I was not parting with any of the 2000 yen I had until I could find a bank so thought it best after a wonder round and getting my bearings to check into the hotel and see if I could rectify this cash issue.

I headed back towards the Hotel which was 1 minute walk from the Shinkyo Bridge and decided as a last resport to try the post office which was 5 minutes away thinking if the bank didnt work it was unlikely but worth a shot. It worked woop woop I had money again so I checked into my hotel at 3pm. The hotel was loveley beautiful Japanese Style room with private bathroom and the Public Bath was to die for.

My room

 

Public Bath

 

I decided after my slightly stressful events of the previous two hours I should relax in my room and have a beer then head to the public bath for a soak in the hot bath before having a snooze and dinner the sightseeing could wait till tomorrow now.

Sunday morning was an early rise as it was breakfast at 7.30am followed by another visit to the public bath before getting ready to check out for 10am. I spent a few hours at The World Heritage Shrines and Temples in Nikko before a wander around the small shops on the main street heading back towards the JR Nikko Station.

Entrance to Temple

 

Sacred Monkeys

 

Sleeping Cat

 

 

I arrived at the Station around 1.30pm and decided to hop on the bus which took a trip through Hakone passing all the shrines and tourist spots heading up to Yumoto Onsen it took roughly one and half hours on the bus and sightseeing along the way was lovely as the views were tremendous. It was really cold and covered in snow when I got to the Yumoto Onsen but decide a wander round before heading back on the bus was enough for today.

 

 

 

 

I got back to the station at 5pm and jumped on the train to head back home after an enjoyable two days. I stopped off at Ueno for some Nachos and a cold beer before heading home to bed.

 

Although I did make sure I waited up to watching the TV show from the Teikyo University I was at the filming of two weeks ago. I was in it yes but only in the background and did not stand out like a sore thumb ha ha.