Nikko Part One

Another Adventure: This time we headed 4 hours north to Nikko, Japan to stay at a Ryokan and experience Edo Mura Village (Edo Wonderland)

Reading through the Japanese Inn booklet trying to find a traditional ryokan, we were both apprehensive and excited about the experience. The apprehension came in when I read the how to use the bath section of the book. I will type up all the directions at the end of the blog for those of you who are interested. Needless to say I was thinking, I may not take a bath during the weekend since it was going to be a shared hot spring! Good thing it was supposed to be super cold - i.e. 10 degrees at night time.Above is the Annex Turtle Hotori-An that we stayed at in Nikko.

The inn was located on the banks of the Daiya River and had it's own hot spring. We stayed in a traditional Japanese style room. Meaning the floor was tatami (straw mats) and our beds were not up off the ground. You had a shikibuton (or mattress on the floor), then a mofu (or blanket) along with a kakebuton (or quilt) and makura (pillow). All the padding that you see if for on top of you! Not the most comfortable beds ever.

Good news - we had a bathroom attached to our room!!! It included a western style toilet, sink and shower!!Here we are in the Turtle Inn Yukatas that were provided.

Yukata is a robe but some people use them as pjsThe Daiya River next to which our Inn was located.The Red Shinkyo (snake) Sacred Bridge

The bridge was built in 1636.

The legend behind the bridge is as follows:

"The legend said that the hermit - Priest Shodo could not cross over the Daiya river for his mission to climb Mount Nantai, and implored the gods for help. The God of snake - Jinjaou, appeared from the clouds when Shodo burned a holy fire to ask help and cast down a snake from bank to bank which formed a bridge."

I had also heard that for a long time only the Emperor was allowed to use the Shinkyo bridge. Currently anyone that wants to pay can cross over the river using the bridge. Statue of a monk across from the bridge

One of the roads we walked from the train station to get to our ryokan.

The mountains in Nikko were glorious!
outside of Nikko station

more pictures of the Daiya river

Rory and I on the train heading to Kinugawa-onsen.Dylan and MommyOutside of the Nikko train station, we found this area. The sign above says Delicious Nikko water please help yourself (I could read the sign -just kidding the white paper hanging down is in English). Through out Nikko, we saw numerous little wells and drinking areas which were all natural springs. We saw numerous hikers filling their water bottles with Nikko mountain spring water here at the station.We thought we would try some of the delicious Nikko water as well:)

This monster greeted us as we exited the at the Kinugawa-onsen station. We stayed in Nikko but Edo Wonderland was actually located closer to the Kinugawa-onsen area. Staying at one of the hot spring resorts was going to cost more than we cared to spend thus we stayed in Nikko.

The monster wasn't the only thing that greeted us in Kinugawa-onsen. Japan's national tourist agency had a booth set up in the station! Thankfully we asked for directions and were blessed greatly! That weekend Kinugawa-onsen was being highlighted. Foreigners received free bus passes. Not only did we get the free bus pass but with the flyer we were given we got into Edo Wonderland for free!! The Lord worked the timing out perfect because the only free day was the day we were heading there!!

This shelter was outside of the station. Upon closer inspection we realized it was a hot spring for anyone to use - Interesting. No we did not share in the experience with our Japanese brothers.

"How to Use the Bath at a Ryokan

Do not use soap in the tub. Please remember that the tub water is not for one person only but used repeatedly, therefore, do not pull out the drain plug.

1) place all of your clothing in the basket or shelf in the changing room. (nothing is to be worn inside the bathroom except your small towel)

2) cleanse your body with soap outside the bath tub

3) after thoroughly washing off the soap step into the bath tub

4) when you immerse yourself in a tub of water that is a little on the hot side you will be able to relax you strained nerves and muscles. When the water is too hot you can adjust it by running cold water into the tub but be sure not to overdo it

5) please do not unplug the drain in the tub when getting out.

* in regards to use of the bathroom (for taking baths) there will be those that will be used together with other guests in case of large bathrooms and there will be those in which certain times are set for use by different families and groups"

Now I think you can understand why I thought I would not be showering/bathing!! I promise that I typed those directions word for word like they have them here in the book!