Day 113 - Nikko

Hadn't even realized I didn't make a post yesterday until just now. Yesterday was exhausting. Got to bed soon enough, only to be woken by an earthquake at about 4:30 in the morning. It was vigorous enough and close enough to when I wanted to wake up anyway that I just stayed up. Admittedly, in hindsight, that was probably a poor decision.

Hopped the early train (6:25-ish) to Ike where I met Tama-chan. We then headed out to Nikko. One of two last minute desperate attempts to check things off our lists. Nikko was lovely, full of all sorts of beautiful scenery. Huge historical landmarks. There's this temple that we visited that was decorated to the point of being absurd. Crazy-intricate wood engravings and gold everywhere. There was a mausoleum up a crazy amount of steps on the hill in the back. I made it there, but only barely.

Nikko is also home to a beautiful bridge called the Shinkyo bridge. This is the bridge I think of when people talk about bridges in Japan. Red and gold, sweeping over a beautifully burbling river… It's a sight to see.

Found a super-neat little place for lunch. Apparently it's a really popular tourist spot. You can tell from the myriad of notes, bills, and business cards tacked to the wall. A definite fire hazard, but awesome. Also, had some of the best yakisoba I've had in Japan, ever. Fantastic. - EDIT: I just discovered the name of this place, a little more than a year later. It's Hippari Dako.

Had enough time in the afternoon to visit the Tobu World Square, also in Nikko. Everything in the park is 1/25 size of the original monuments. From every, US, Japan, Europe, etc. Got to see the pyramids of Gyza with the Eiffel Tower in the background, and the Vatican with the Great Wall of China in the background. It was fantastic. Also, unbearably hot. Thankfully there was a little air-conditioned shop selling icecream there, otherwise I think I would have passed out from the heat.

Made our way back to Shinjuku where we had Burger King for the first time in Japan. Pretty much exactly like the US, though they had this strange thing called Irish Lemonade. I wasn't feeling too adventurous at that point, so I left it for another time. It was filling and I came home and I guess fell right asleep. Yeah.