D3 Edo Wonderland

We left Nikko early to get an early start. Edo wonderland is a theme park based on Edo period.

As it's not widely discussed online, I thought we could have leisurely enjoy our time there. I was so wrong, it was an awesome theme park. There were 8 live performances running a few times a day. The best was the Karasu Yashiki Ninja House with live action performance. If it wasn't so popular we would watch it twice. No photo is allowed inside.

Big respect to all staff for the perfect role play at all times. Random event happens on the street, like patrols chasing after a thief, Oiran parade etc.

nyamage thief

The Sheriff

I caught Jon!

Oiran Parade

Soba lunch

Before returning to Tokyo, we had the pleasure of using free foot hot springs at Kinugawa! Our very first hot spring experience.

D2 Lake Chuzenji

Lake Chuzenji is about 1 hour bus ride from Nikko. Nonetheless it's in much higher elevation, the bus ride was almost like a rollercoaster. The hosts at our accommodation warned us it is about 5-6 Celsius up there.

It was perfect day for outing when we first arrived. Blue sky with clouds hanging over mountain peaks. Most trees have gone barren; past their best viewing state. Only a few patches of colour remain around the lake.

As we were queuing for lunch, the weather started to change. Small freckle like things started to fall out of the sky. It is snow!! Jon's first time seeing snow!!

The wind was so chilly, but the snow and the prospect of delicious food kept our spirit up.

Lunch indeed was great, it was recommended by our hosts and that's why we had to queue for it.
The pork was so juicy and tender, big serving as well.
We rushed down our lunch as there were still 7-8 people waiting outside in the chilly wind and snow.

After lunch the snow kept going, heavy at times. The scenery around the lake changed completely in less than 1 hour. We had to wait under shelter a few times even though we were so excited to see snow.

After seeing Kegon falls, we took the bus back to town.

D2 Nikko

We left Tokyo and set off to Nikko today.
Caught sight of Tokyo Sky Tree while walking to the station. After two hours of train ride, we finally arrived at Nikko.
During the ride and at the station, the bright colours of trees has already amazed us.

In the afternoon, we returned to town area. First we stopped at tamozawa imperial villa, it was the perfect time to see the villa, the building and the garden looked unreal in the afternoon. It may be the best garden with the perfect autumn leaf we see this trip.

After that we had less than one hour to visit the world heritage listed mausoleums. We visited Toshogu Mausoleum briefly.

The town area of Nikko was as full of different shades of yellow, orange and red.

From information given by the host, we added one night program. After dinner at a local japanese "pub", we visited illuminations at Syouyouen, a different look of Japanese garden in a temple complex.