I just fell in love with these things, so you'll have to look at 3 pics. Sorry!

Omikuji are fortune telling paper slips found at many shrines and temples. Randomly drawn, they contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By tying the piece of paper around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true or bad fortune can be averted.

(This wording is from this site.)

Omikuji are fortune telling paper slips found at many shrines and temples. Randomly drawn, they contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By tying the piece of paper around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true or bad fortune can be averted.

(This wording is from this, very informative, site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html)

Omikuji are fortune telling paper slips found at many shrines and temples. Randomly drawn, they contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By tying the piece of paper around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true or bad fortune can be averted.

(This wording is from this, very informative, site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html)

I took this on our way to Nikko from the train. Very pretty countryside. A very nice ride.

This was a very pleasant little station with a nice large lobby and helpful folks.

On New Year's eve, temple bells are rang 108 times, corresponding to the Buddhist concept of 108 worldly desires.

(these words from this site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2058.html A very good resource!)

I'm not sure what this building housed, but it was very beautiful.

That's my sister in the left bottom corner. She'll appreciate that shot. :-P

Shrine visitors write their wishes on these wooden plates and then leave them at the shrine in the hope that their wishes come true. Most people wish for good health, success in business, passing entrance exams, love or wealth.

(These words from this site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html)

I just adore the moss and the stone.

I'm not sure exactly what this is, but I saw lots of rocks stacked in the lanterns all over Japan. This on fascinated me, so I snapped it.

I really wish that wire wasn't in this shot, but what can you do?

Again, I just liked the shot so I took it.

The Toshogu is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan for over 250 years until 1868. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Ieyasu and two other of Japan's most influential historical personalities, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo.

(wording from this site: http://www.japan-guide.com/a/html/nikko_e.html)

Omote-mon, gate leading to the Toshogu Shrine.

This pagoda dates from 1650 but was reconstructed in 1818. It's remarkable for its lack of coundations - the interior contains a long suspended pole that apparently swings like a pendulum in order to maintain dquilibrium during an earthquake.

(these words from Lonely Planet - Tokyo guide. A MUST!

This pagoda dates from 1650 but was reconstructed in 1818. It's remarkable for its lack of coundations - the interior contains a long suspended pole that apparently swings like a pendulum in order to maintain dquilibrium during an earthquake.

(these words from Lonely Planet - Tokyo guide. A MUST!

This pagoda dates from 1650 but was reconstructed in 1818. It's remarkable for its lack of coundations - the interior contains a long suspended pole that apparently swings like a pendulum in order to maintain dquilibrium during an earthquake.

(these words from Lonely Planet - Tokyo guide. A MUST!

These lanterns, along with lots of beautiful trees, lined the walk to the Toshogu Shrine.

Another one of those "I have to have this shot" shots.

I confess, I can't remember which gate this is. Sorry!

I should've been better at documenting, but alas I was not. I do know that it is in Nikko. I'll just have to go back so I can get it right!

The wood barrel (what you don't see underneath) is covered with colorful straw matting.

We saw lots of displays like this nearly everywhere in Japan. Each barrel had a unique picture or drawing on it. You can see sake barrels in the Kyoto gallery.

Here's a tid bit of information on sake barrels here: http://www.kikumasamune.com/taru_E/.

The wood barrel (what you don't see underneath) is covered with colorful straw matting.

These stone lanterns are quite simple and quite lovely.

A gate we didn't get to go thru because we arrived late in the day.

These little creature would sometimes be sitting on the eves of the temples. They're just too great not to capture!

A shimenawa is a straw rope with white zigzag paper strips (gohei). It marks the boundary to something sacred and can be found on torii gates, around sacred trees and stones, etc. A rope similar to the shimenawa is also worn by yokozuna, the highest ranked sumo wrestlers, during ritual ceremonies.

(these words from this site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html. )

A shrine in Nikko, again, I'm not sure of what, but a good picture.

I'm not sure who this is but I thought it interesting.

Unfortunately, this usually beatuiful bridge was under construction when we were there, but this is a picture - we actually WERE there. If you want to see it not under construction you can go here
http://www.raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/Asia/Japan/Tokyo/images/Shinkyo02.jpg