I started the day with my host family at 9:00. We left their home in Utsunomiya for a one hour drive to Nikko. My host family was very excited to show me the town and the many, many places Nikko offers.

The road to Nikko was incredibly beautiful. Along the road, there were many views of the surrounding mountains. During our drive to Nikko, my host family wanted to know my favorite genres of music. We listened to classics like “September,” by Earth, Wind, and Fire and “Africa,” by Toto. I really appreciated the small gestures of kindness and hospitality they made, and I think these simple moments are what I will hold onto most.

We first visited Tosho-Gu shrine, which was built to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the three unifiers of Japan. The artwork and decorations around the shrine were breathtaking, and it was interesting to learn about little details of the shrine that have cultural significance. For example, one pillar on the shrine’s gate was purposefully built upside down so that the gate couldn’t be completely built. This is because it is considered bad luck of the gate was built to completion. Once we walked through the shrine, we were able to visit Tokugawa’s grave. His grave was built out of a mixture of gold, silver, and copper in the shape of a traditional pagoda. This was meant to revere Tokugawa as someone who is spiritually and historically significant.

After we went to Tosho-Gu, we walked to the Shinkyo bridge, which is a world-renowned landmark and one that attracts many visitors. My host brothers and I walked across the bridge. As we left Shinkyo bridge, a traditional Japanese wedding was getting set up. It was very interesting to learn that the Shinkyo bridge is considered to be a holy site in Japanese culture.

After crossing the Shinkyo bridge, my host family and I went to a ramen restaurant. This was my first time trying Japanese ramen, and it was infinitely better than the ramen back home.

Following the ramen restaurant, we went to various sites around Lake Chūzenji and Mount Nantai. My host family was very excited to share the history and legends surrounding each place. Their pride for the history of their home was inspiring.

To say that today’s trip to Nikko with my host family was great would be an understatement. Today was one of the most life-changing experiences I could have. Being able to make these memories with a family I didn’t know two days ago is something that I will treasure for the rest of my life.