we were hoping to catch the autumn colours koyo (red leaves) & see momiji (maple leaves) on this hiking trip at nikko 12-17.10.2016. ^^

our ANA flight arrived early at haneda (6.05am instead of 6.30am). we travelled very light, just a haversack for me & cabin bag for wife, no checked in luggage, so we were out at arrivals at 6.30am. 🙂

we took the direct keikyu train from haneda to asakusa in 40mins at 620yen which we researched earlier.

from asakusa, it was another direct train to nikko.

we were spending 4nights 5days at nikko so not fully covered by the all nikko pass. at the tobu asakusa station information counter, we were advised to purchase the all nikko pass for 4520yen in any case + buy the onward one way ticket by rapid trains 1360yen. it was good advise! 🙂

we took the 8.10am rapid & arrived tobu nikko station at 10.19am on 12.10.2016, train timetable here. ^^

taking from tobu asakusa station end station was ok, but the rapid train filled up quickly so some had to stand the whole 2 hrs journey.

train took us through the country side.

arriving at tobu nikko station, we left our bags at the station lockers (cost 700yen).

and took the tobu bus to shinkyo神桥 costing 200yen.

& started our walks to the kanmangafuchi abyss & the toshogu shrine heritage sites historic walking tour.

first came to the jokoji temple 浄光寺 閼伽.

saw the jizo (buddhist guardian deity) at jokoji temple 浄光寺 閼伽.

more jizo (buddhist guardian deity) at jokoji temple 浄光寺 閼伽.

bonsho temple bell-1450, oldest in nikko, at jokoji temple 浄光寺 閼伽.

nice small temple.

a pleasant stroll along kanman path.

more jizo (buddhist guardian deity)along kanman path.

the kanman abyss was formed by lava eruption of mt nantai.

nice walking walk along kanman path.

alongside the daiya river.

after kanman, we proceeded with the historic walk.

first the rinnoji轮王寺.

not so much to see, as the place is likely permanently under restoration.

walking towards toshogu shrine东照宫.

torii gate @ toshogu shrine东照宫 at the entrance.

& 5 storey pagoda.

walking from toshogu shrine东照宫 to nikko-futarasan

sake drums.

according to endomondo (top photo), we walked 6km in 2hrs, with all the stops & photo taking. 🙂

we were back to tobu nikko station just past 2pm.

our ryokan, shikisai, was fetching us from the station at 2.40pm (checking in time is 3pm), so we picked up our luggage, and walked around the shops a bit.

took the popular, very nice, crispy, fluffy red bean dessert. very nice, warm & shiok!

quite similar to the one i took at takao san. 🙂

c.h.e.f andy