X - Nikko

A beautiful bronze dragon fountain in front of Rinno-ji.

The temple complex of Rinno-ji (or Rinnoji, 輪王寺) sits on top of one of the hills surrounding the town of Nikko, and can be reached by climbing a long flight of stairs meandering though the forest. Although the climate in this area is usually cool, it can turn quite tropical during August ― the cold water of fountains like this one gives such a relief from the heat!