February 3 is a special day in Japan, not technically a holiday, but special nonetheless. Setsubun (節分) coincides with the Chinese New Year. It has something to do with the beginning of Spring, but Nikko looked (and felt, as it was below freezing) anything but Springish when I took this photo during Setsubun 2010 at Rinnoji Temple.

This part of the ceremony had nothing to do with bean throwing. The shells some of the participants were blowing made the coolest sound. The beans were thrown later. Actually, beans were just handed out and prizes were thrown. We won a bunch of stuff, including a night at one of Nikko’s hotels including meals. Woohoo!

Posted on February 3rd, 2011 under Japan. Tags: nikko, setsubun. Comments: 1

The Japan Railways Nikko Station is a pretty sight in the snow. Although I’ve been to Nikko several times, I’ve never actually used this station. Why? Because the Tobu Line to Nikko is so much less expensive from Tokyo.

This station was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, or at least that is what the tourist guides say. The station began operations in 1890, which is before Wright had done much and long before he was famous. Maybe the current structure isn’t the original or maybe there wasn’t a structure until later?

Posted on December 22nd, 2010 under Japan. Tags: buildings, nikko, snow, trains. Comments: 1

The approach to Toshogu in May is quite a contrast to how it looked in February on a snowy day–lush, lush, lush green as opposed to the frozen, white winter. Even though they are polar opposites, it’s hard not to like them both.

Posted on October 10th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: nikko, torii, toshogu. Comments: 1

Also near Lake Chuzenji, I sat and chatted with this wood carver while the family purchased one of his hand-made goods inside the shop.

Posted on September 12th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: nikko, people. Comments: 2

When just any old ramen won’t do, it is time for Ninja Ramen. We actually didn’t try it, but we did see Ninja Ramen near Lake Chuzenji (中禅寺湖) the last time we were in Nikko.

Posted on September 11th, 2010 under Japan. Tags: nikko, ramen, signs. Comments Off on Ninja Ramen (忍者らーめん)