Page 89 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

BEY OND T OK Y O  87

BEYOND TOKYO

Some of the country’s most famous sights are just a short train
trip away from Tokyo. Foremost among these are the historic
temple towns of Nikko, Narita, and Kamakura, and bustling
Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city. Hakone is a
mountainous hot-spring town and on a clear day,
it offers picturesque views of the soaring peak of
Mount Fuji – one of the great icons of Japan.

It takes less time than one would imagine shops. The origins of the magnificent
to leave behind the sprawling suburbs, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine date
dormitory towns, and industrial fringes from the 11th century, while the Great
of Tokyo to reach breathtaking natural Buddha, a splendidly realized bronze
habitats and environs. Fine hiking trails, statue, has survived from when it was
wildlife, and flora are easily accessed at first cast in 1252. To the east of Tokyo,
Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and the Narita-san, an important temple
Fuji Five Lakes area, while the volcanic associated with Fudo, the god of fire, is
hills and gorges of Hakone and the a place of common worship throughout
Izu Peninsula have been hot-spring the year. Located a stone’s throw from
destinations for foreign visitors since Narita Airport, this temple provides the
the 19th century. chance to see how Japanese observe
Yokohama, a cosmopolitan city with a their faith, right down to having new cars
vibrant port area, delightful museums, blessed and protective amulets hung on
and a large, atmospheric Chinatown them, in a ritual presided over by robed
district combines history, ethnicity, priests. Just an hour north of the capital,
and modernity. Yokohama’s neighbor the elaborate shrines, grand gates, and
Kamakura, sitting snugly between green tombs of Nikko, where the first shogun
hills and the Pacific, is a treasure-house Ieyasu is enshrined, are overshadowed
of spectacular Zen temples, tranquil by towering forests of cryptomeria,
gardens, teahouses, and exquisite craft creating a mood of spiritual grandeur.

A row of Buddhist statues, Nikko, Tochigi prefecture
Snow-capped Mount Fuji and the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

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