Topic 3 Shrines and Temples of Nikko

Hi. Today, I'll introduce a Japanese traditional shrines and temples in Nikko. Nikko is a city that exisit in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. You can go to the Nikko from Tokyo Station about two hours by bullet train. Shrines and Temples of Nikko is recognized as world heritage site in 1996, it mainly composed primarily of Nikko Toshogu, Nikko Hutara-san-jinja Shrines and Nikko Rinno-ji Temples. I think especially Nikko Toshougu is the famous site, so I'll write about Nikko Toshougu. If you like Japanese culture you've heard or seen Sanzaru (Three Monkeys) and Nemurineko (Sleeping Cat). Three Monkeys have each gesture. it means "See No Evil, Speak No Eviil, Hear No Evil", They're famous sculptures in Toushogu. But Sanzaru is the one of the eight panels of carvings of monkeys running around the building, depicting the lives of ordinary people.

http://www.hello-kanko.com/gallery/gallery1/%E6%97%A5%E5%85%89%E6%9D%B1%E7%85%A7%E5%AE%AE%E4%B8%89%E3%81%96%E3%82%8B/

Nemurineko is a cat dozing in sunlight, sunlight means nikko in Japanese, so it's double meaning.

http://nikkonazo.seesaa.net/upload/detail/image/DSC_0208-thumbnail2.jpg.html

Here URL is Shrines and Temples of Nikko's guide, please check it out, and it's an Nikko navi. I think it help your happy trip in Nikko.