Another public holiday! Shrines and racing.....

Well it was another public holiday so we went off to Nikko famous for its shrines.

Luckily for us that evening the statues along the river were being lit by candle light.  So we checked in, had a coffee went and had a look at the famous red lacquer bridge and then walked along the river and waited for it to get dark!

Next day we arrived early at the shrines - beautiful setting with lots of trees and some snow on the rooftops. Saw the three monkeys and exhausted our phone batteries with all the photos we took. 

The monkeys!

 I suggested to Dominic that that we should treat ourselves to lunch as I had read about a place nearby. It was cold outside but the restaurant was very cozy and Dominic soon spotted a 15 quid bottle of fizzy Moet and kind of asked "should we order that?"  We did and toasted the arrival of Charles. The staff were keen to serve us as quickly as possible but eventually they understood that we wanted to just sit and relax!

More shrines in the afternoon. At the last one which was my favourite Dominic bumped into the woman that sits next to him at work. Taking the bus back

to the hotel Dominic got off early to go to the onsen. I did a bit of shopping along the High Street at a kind of antique junk vintage shop- very enjoyable.

The next day we went to Chozen lake. There were a few snow igloo type houses in which were displayed impressive ice sculptures.

We found a walk to do and the tourist office said our shoes were fine and that the snow was only 3 inches deep. Within five minutes of starting the walk I was knee deep in snow!  We continued for a while but I suggested we should turn back. Having got back to the main drag Dominic realised the bus was due in five minutes so we ran up the hill to the bus stop. The bus arrived and we got on puffing and red-faced only to hear from the back of the bus "konnichiwa!" Dominic's colleague again. She commented "Dominic you are sweating."

We stopped for some noodles and I took my shoes and socks off in order to dry them out!  Had a look at the waterfall and then got on the bus back to the hotel. However we got off early to go to a recommended coffee place which turned out to be fantastic and then we decided to go to the onsen. It was on the roof of the building and from it we would get a great view of the fireworks further down the river.

How do they do those circle things?

So I sat in a bath outside waiting for the fireworks to start. I was joined by three Japanese women. I smiled at them to try and look friendly and so they then started to talk to me in English and Japanese. The fireworks started and we all jumped out of the bath to get a better view. There was much oohing and aahing and clapping. Once finished we all got back into the bath to warm up. Some piped music was playing and they asked me if I knew the song. I didn't so the three of them started to sing it to me. It was very lovely that they were so chatty and friendly so I gave one of them my card and said if they were in my area could we go for coffee? 

Next day we visited the temple which has been in the process of being renovated since 2013 and I think is not due to be completed until 2019. The time lapse film of the shrine been deconstructed was interesting.  Catching the bus back I whispered to Dominic that I thought I recognised one of the women from the onsen but I wasn't sure because she had clothes on! 

waterfall

The next weekend we were invited by Hide to go and watch his friend, Yutaka’s, horse race.  We were told the food at the race track was rubbish so to bring our own.  Yutaka is a very friendly and smiley chap.  He gave me his rosette for the day, which meant that I was the horse owner.  The officials looked somewhat confused at having to let me in everywhere with this door opening rosette!

A day at the races!

I know this is an American product but I love them, mints in the shape of Snoopy and Charlie Brown!  Cannot believe they have not used Peppermint Patty somewhere in the range?!