Our last full day in Japan started a little late as we dealt with the effects of drinking a little too much the night before.

Daryl and I took a day trip to Nikko, home of the Toshogu Shrine which pays homage to the grand Tokugawa shogun who controlled Japan during the 1600's.

The trip to Nikko was almost half the adventure since Raul and Tom had taken our guide book. We had to rely on memory and inadequate tourist information. In the train stations there were several pamphlets which said "NIKKO TOURIST INFORMATION" -- and that was the only English in the whole booklet! After two train transfers, two long hikes and a local express bus we were finally there.

Throughout the shrine there were many lanterns. They inspired us to buy one back home for our front yard.

One of the features at the shrine is the Yomeimon Gate. This was the most lavishly detailed pieces of work I have ever seen. On it are hundreds of brightly colored carvings of things such as dragons and birds. At left is Daryl in front of one of the larger features.

As you can probably tell, it was raining that day. But it wasn't too bad.

There was a nearby horse stable, and carved above the door was the trio of Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil monkeys. Also nearby were several barrels -- we couldn't quite figure out what was inside them.

The sanctuary of the Mausoleum Taiyuin is pictured on the right. At the entrance stood the customary shoe removal station.

There was a front half and a back half of the temple. The front half was kind of a gathering place as people assembled as we listened to a tour guide discuss something or other (it was all in Japanese).

Then we ceremoniously entered the back half where we heard an aldermen lead us through some apparent history and brief Buddhist rite. We really didn't understand what was going on, so we had to watch what everyone else was doing and mimic -- things such as clapping hands, etc.

Outside Daryl set up the camera on automatic to snap us both in front of the Temple. He's laughing because he tripped in his haste to get into position.

Nearby there was a five story pagoda and another large temple (not pictured) call Sanbutsu-do. Inside it were three golden idols with many arms. Sorry, we couldn't take a picture.

Outside were a huge bell and a beautiful lake and gardens.

We finished our excursion to Nikko by indulging in a traditional Japanese bath at a nearby hot spring. We had a little bit of a hike in the rain, and had to navigate on another local bus, but the hot soak was especially rewarding. (No, men and women do not bathe together, at least not at the one we were at.)

The next day it was time to bid Japan farewell and board the plane back to the Houston. Looking back this was one of our best vacations and we highly recommend it.