Nikko City with My Great Japanese Friends

Just wanted to start this blog out with introducing 2 wonderful people Marlon and I have met while here in Japan.  Nobuko and Takahiro are two of the sweetest people!! God has surely blessed us with their presence in our lives.I get choked up when I think about the time we must say goodbye.  This is more than likely our last trip to Japan and man I am going to miss spending time with them and our friendship.

Started our day off with being picked up at 6am.  Smiles on all of our faces we got into the car and headed to Micky D's for some coffee.  Marlon and I ate a doughnut from Mr. Donuts so we were not hungry.  They had not eaten so they ate. Eating their sandwiches and drinking our coffee we are headed toward Nikko Mountains. Another ride that totaled 28 curves to the top and the down road has 20. After yesterdays ride around the mountain wow just so glad that they stopped along the way. The first stop was at curve 17 to get a beautiful view of the valley below. This sign shows the 17th letter of the Japanese alphabet.  There are   48 letters in alphabet. Each character of alphabet is also on the sign. This mountain has 48 curves which is how many letters the Japanese have in their alphabet. This road is called Irohazaka (switchback) which means alphabet slope.






Took some beautiful pictures and rested a minute before getting back into the car. There is a lake at the bottom of Mount Nantai we are just not up high enough to see it.

Ready for some more curves still have a few more to go. LOL   Nobo drove us up around the mountain so we could get a great view of lake Chuzenji and mountains. She told us several times to inhale the great smells of the land, good deep breaths. These pictures do not give this place the grandness it deserves.  Beautiful breathtaking.....

 Next stop will be at Ryozu Falls........Ryozu means Dragon Head, On top of the building was a dragon with scary eyes.

Back in the car and headed for Yudaki Falls can't wait to see the beauty and power of another water fall!! Yudaki Falls means which means Hot Water Falls.






Listening to the sound of the water crashing down is so peaceful...... calming, relaxing.... The waterfall is 1,355m above sea level. We walked the trail to get to Yudaki falls and Nobu picked us up at the beginning of the Falls.

We have walked to the falls and before we got even close we could hear the power of the water rushing in the falls.  

We reached the Yudaki Falls and just stood looking at the majesty of the water and its power. you can never capture the beauty and power of this fall. 

 

Going back to the car  we  saw a Oak tree loaded with acorns. This beautiful day reminds me of FALL...especially since i seen these acorns. Explained to Nobu and Taka what they were and they are not eatable.

Back down the mountain I look out the car window of all the people fishing today.  Chuzenji Lake is is full of men standing in their waders and out in boats fishing.  The majority of them are fly fishing. When we got out of the car I just stood and watched them cast their lines over and over out into the lake.  Never really saw anybody bring in a fish but didn't hang out long in this location we are going to Kegon Falls.

The car is parked and we are going to walk down to Kegon Falls. Nobu went ahead and bought our tickets to enter the building.

Kegon Falls is a very beautiful and powerful falls.  We had to take an elevator down to the bottom of the falls which only took one minute. Once the doors opened there was a tunnel you had to walk through to get to the falls.

 The falls are absolutely magnificent.  I am so thankful that Nobu and Taka have taken time out of their busy schedules to spend the day treating us to the wonderful scenic falls in Nikko.  These people are truly wonderful, kind, and enjoy talking about the history of Nikko.  Nobu bought us a great book on Nikko, which Marlon and I are enjoying reading.  We have shared this book also with some of the Honda people that like going to visit Nikko; this book gives alot of information about things to see in Nikko and the history.

 

After taking several pictures of the Kegon Falls we are back in the elevator which carries 30 people at a time.  Nikko is very busy today due to the incredibly beautiful day. Beautiful fall day. We are heading to Kirfuri~Falls.  

Had no idea that there would be a beautiful restaurant named Misty Mountain located at Kirfuri Falls.

 

There is a long stairway that leads to the top where the restaurant is at.  Misty Mountain is a beautiful place in a perfect location.  

Once inside our reservations had been confirmed and we were directed to sit in front of these huge windows that overlooked the forest. I am in awe over  this beautifully decorated restaurant. The waiters and waitresses are dressed so professional. 

 

looking out the window of restaurant

  We all got steak and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.  I have not had steak for a long time.  When the steak was delivered and I got my first bite WoW !!! The meat was tender and the sauce on top was delicious. Thank you Nobu for taking us to this beautiful place called Misty Mountain. I will never forget Misty Mountain and the beautiful scenery from the big windows and the absolutely delicious food. 

 The next set of pictures is of our journey to Kirfuri~Falls.........