It’s now time to go enter Nikko National Park and see the temples around the area.
Because the area is spread out, let’s take a look at the map:
As you enter the area, you will see the red locator mark of where you are currently at. And there are several shrines and temples nearby. So, let’s go ahead and check them out!
When I went, there were many places still under renovation, so I learned that a lot of the smaller shrines or temples may have been closed.
You will come across a statue of a Buddhist priest named Shodo Shonin, he was the one who stepped into the mountains in Nikko and founded the Shihonryuji Temple (the origin of hte Nikosan Rinnoji Temple) and the beginning of the history of Nikko.
Shodo Shonin tried to climb the 2,486-high Mt. Nantaisan and reached the top in his third attempt.
Having founded Okumiya (the rear shrine), hongu (the main shrine), he opened the Jingui Temple (currently Chuzenji Temple) by the Chuzenji Lake.
As I walk further west, I am getting closer to Rinnoji Temple.
And I will save Rinnoji Temple for the next blog post!
