ABSTRACT
Within a day’s return journey from Tokyo, and much lauded by the international tourist brochures, lies the historical, religious and aesthetically stunning site of Nikko. Set amongst the first truly spectacular mountain ranges after the monotony of the Kanto Plain, this collection of shrines and temples displays the ultimate in Japanese architectural achievement, inspired since the eighth century by the natural beauty of their surroundings. Here is the epitomy of the oft-expressed Japanese feeling of oneness between culture and nature, where the vision of the designers and the skills of the craftsmen meld with the awe-inspiring creations of the gods. As the poster advocates, in introducing foreign visitors to a Japanese expression of deep appreciation, ‘Don’t say kekko (splendid) until you’ve seen Nikko.’
