Extravagant Nikko

Nikko‘s temples and shrines are gold and red, shiny and extravagant—too gaudy for my taste. It reminds me of a cathedral in Florence, with every inch richly decorated and rather overwhelming.

I love more of a reduced simplicity Japan is well-known for. But at the same time, Nikkō’s temples and shrines are the ultimate display of Japanese craftsmanship.