Nikko – World Heritage

A long day return trip by Shinkansen and local train from Tokyo brings you to Nikko, approximately 85 miles (140 kms) to the north.
This is home to a World Heritage temple complex nestled into a mountainside packed with centuries old cedars.
You arrive at the restored Meiji era railway station, where you can drink crystal clear spring water from a spout. Then walk up the town street past various craft and bric-a-brac shops to the Nikko Toshogu, Taiyuin, and related buddhist compounds with buildings built in the 1600’s, and elaborately restored in the late 20th century.
The pagoda (photo from an early 1980’s visit) sitting in a grove of snow-dusted trees reveals the wealth of detailed ornament, that is found throughout.
In January 2012, one of the buildings, Rinno-ji, was completely enclosed for restoration, with full sized a representation of the restored building on the face of the enclosure.
I have visited in 1975, 1980, and 2012 – winter and autumn. It never ceases to inspire awe in the sheer complexity of design and craftsmanship.
How many earthquakes have these buildings survived?
Tochigi Prefecture, Japan