Study Abroad Blog

June 14, 2025

Nikko Retreat

By student Lizzie Rosato

We started our trip to Nikko by visiting the Toshogu Shrine.  It was a massive complex, with so many other smaller shrines attached to it. I ended up ascending the stairs to visit the shoguns personal shrine, to both marvel at its beauty and to get the unique cat prayer plaques made there.

intricate carving of a sleeping cat
The famous ‘Sleeping Cat’ carving found in Toshogu Shrine

 

Prayer Plaque of the Toshogu shrine cat
Unique prayer plaques only obtainable at Toshogu shrine

 

Later, we visited the Imperial Villa and were able to walk through the gardens, which are still maintained to this day. In those gardens, there was a giant tree that had been trained for years and years to twist around itself.  Seeing it up close was jaw dropping, I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. 

A massive and ancient tree that has been trained to twist around itself, creating a spiraling trunk
I can only imagine how long it has taken to grow the tree into this shape.

 

We ended the first day of the Nikko trip by checking into the hotel and taking it easy.  I passed the night in both the pool and the onsen baths with my friends in what I can only describe as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I know that I’ll treasure this trip forever.