Arriving in Nikko we found it wet with snow blanketing much of the area. We had been warned by the hotel receptionist that it would be much colder in Nikko than Tokyo because of the slight elevation so we dressed accordingly. Now, our next challenge would be finding the Toshogu Shrine.

Following the directions in the guide book we set out in what we thought was the right direction. We walked and walked but no shrine. We covered the downtown area and ended up on the outskirts of town before we acknowledged something was wrong and headed back to the center of town to regain our bearings again. Again, I say, what better way to get to know a new country than by walking its streets.