Japan: Nikko in Nikko!

FYI This post is quite overdue, as these pics are from the end of April.  

"Never say 'kekko' until you've seen Nikko"—kekko meaning beautiful, magnificent or "I am satisfied"—is a reflection of the beauty and sites in Nikkō.  We didn't really name Nikko after Nikko... but we both liked the name, and we enjoyed out visit here in 2009, so we decided to come back with Nikko in tow.  

at the train station's food center... check out the varieties of oinarisans!

Kai was fixated on Thomas...

They think of everything in Japan.  But soo much extra packaging.  Insane.

Statue of Tenkai in Nikko, who revived Nikko after enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu.  He was the chief abbot at Kita-In in Kawagoe prior to this.  

Nikko is also well known for the "three wise monkeys"

Kai showing off his pagoda jacket in front of a pagoda

Loving the buffet at the onsen we stayed at.... especially the ice cream

I did manage to go on a trail run (in my boxers as I forgot shorts)... and caught this sunrise from Mt. Daisen.