Today we walked down to Utsunomiya Castle, a flatland castle originally built during the Heian period in 1063. Once counted among the seven major castles of Kanto region, it was totally destroyed in war. The partially restored castle now functions as a park for city residents to relax in.
Tochigi
The shrines of Nikko
Today Mani & I visit the temples of Nikko in Tochigi. The vibrant temples at this World Heritage site are strikingly different in appearance from other temples I have witnessed in Japan. The lavishly decorated pillars and other structures are covered in a gold leaves and multitude carvings conveying expressions of religious belief as well as scholarship and philosophy.