We have made our way 2 hours north of Tokyo to Nikko for two days to visit the National Park, and we are back in the chill! Up in the mountains, we have entered what might be described as a British Columbia/Algonquin experience, complete with sky high trees, lush, crisp air, and the beginning of the autumn colours. We have a handy bus pass to take us around the area, and have visited the natural sites, as well as the Toshogu Shrine site, which is full of elaborate, ornate buildings. Clare visited a traditional Japanese "onsen" (hot spring) to have a traditional bath, and Troy is steadily becoming very adept with the chopsticks. Tomorrow we are headed back down south to Kyoto - on our first "shinkansen" - bullet train!